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

Taking and sticking the cuttings

Take cuttings from plants that are free of disease and not drought-stressed. Use sharp hand pruners or a knife to sever the stem. Make a clean cut, leaving no ragged edges. A typical cutting is 4 to 6 inches long. However, cuttings of slow-growing or dwarf plant varieties will necessarily be shorter, as there is a scant amount of new growth each year. Before sticking the cutting, remove the leaves from the lower one-third to one-half of the stem. Also remove any flowers or seeds. Dip the base of the cutting into the liquid hormone for 1 second, give it about a minute to dry, then stick it into the medium just deeply enough that it can support itself—in general, no more than a third its length. (If using powder, tap the cutting gently to shake off excess powder.) You may insert several cuttings into the same pot, or use a communal bed such as a pan or flat. Do not push cuttings all the way to the bottom. Place cuttings 1 or 2 inches apart, with no leaves touching. If inserting cuttings into individual pots, cover with a clear or opaque plastic bag to maintain humidity. If using trays, cover with a plastic lid. Whatever type of containers you choose, be sure there are adequate drainage holes.