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
Tips & Tricks
If it is warm outdoors and you’ll be transporting them some distance, seal fresh cuttings in a plastic bag and carry them in a cooler. It is very important that they not dry out.
The following simple containers may be used for rooting cuttings: A terrarium or plastic bin topped with a piece of plastic. A plastic soda bottle or milk jug inverted over the top of a pot. A plastic pot placed inside a sealed plastic bag.
Manipulating peat and perlite sends up a large amount of dust. Before handling it, spray water inside the bag to wet it down. You may want to wear a dust mask while mixing the medium.
Some articles suggest you “wound” the base of the cutting before sticking it. If wounding is suggested, do not “grate” or otherwise peel the bark off the cutting. You will make just a small, shallow incision.
Resources
“Growing and Propagating Showy Native Woody Plants” by Richard Bir
“Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation and Uses” by Michael Dirr
“Plant Propagation by Stem Cuttings: Instructions for the Home Gardener” (NCSU Horticultural Information Leaflet #8702) by Frank Blazich (Download at www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-8702.html or contact your Cooperative Extension agent to request a copy.)
| top |