By Carla Burgess | March 2008

• Introduction
• Identifying growth stages
• Growing medium & Rooting aids
• Taking and sticking the cuttings
• Tending the cuttings
• Tips & Tricks & Resources
• Download the FULL article as a

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Identifying growth stages

• Softwood—new growth that is slightly firm; stems will snap easily when bent.
• Semi-hardwood—the current season’s growth that has partially matured or “hardened”; at this time, leaves will have reached their full size.
• Hardwood—the mature growth from the previous year’s growth; plants are dormant at this stage. With deciduous species, hardwood cuttings may be taken after leaves have dropped and up until the time that new shoots appear. Don’t take the term “hardwood” literally—brittle stems (from two or more seasons ago) are generally no longer viable for cuttings.

Your success also depends on using the right growing medium and providing proper moisture and other environmental conditions. Your set-up doesn’t have to be fancy: It can be as simple as a pot covered with a plastic bag.