By Carla Burgess | March 2008

• Introduction
• Identifying growth stages
• Growing medium & Rooting aids
• Taking and sticking the cuttings
• Tending the cuttings
• Tips & Tricks & Resources
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Growing medium

A soil-less mix is the best medium and usually includes combinations of peat, perlite or sand. The medium needs to be coarse, or porous, so that air can circulate around the stem. You can make this mixture yourself by combining equal amounts of peat and perlite (1:1 ratio). Other possible recipes are 1 part peat: 1 part sand. Use sharp sand such as builder’s sand, not children’s sandbox sand. In lieu of peat, you can substitute the same amount of coir (coconut husk fiber) or very fine pine bark (you may need to sieve it to remove any large pieces). The growing medium should be thoroughly moistened before you insert cuttings. Don’t add any fertilizer until after roots have formed. The medium should be kept moist but not saturated or the cuttings will rot. Fill the cutting “bed” with at least 3 inches of medium. Make sure containers have adequate drainage holes.

Rooting aids

Cuttings will produce roots faster and in greater abundance with the aid of a rooting hormone. Two types of synthetic rooting hormones are widely used. Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) is found in products such as Rootone, which is sold in powdered form. Indolebutyric acid (IBA) is the primary ingredient in products such as Dip ‘n Grow, a liquid form. Some rooting hormones are also available in gel form. Liquid form is highly recommended for new propagators working with woody cuttings, but powder is acceptable. If you can’t find rooting hormones locally, check mail-order gardening catalogs or search for sources online.