Camellia Propagation From Cuttings - Grow Multiple Plants With This Simple Trick, by Soil and Trouble on YouTube. 1 min.
- Video length
- 1 min
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Take cuttings in late summer to early autumn. Choose healthy semi-hardwood stems from this year's growth that have started to firm up, and avoid soft tips or stems with flower buds.
Cut 10 to 15 cm lengths just below a leaf node with clean, sharp secateurs. Make the cut at a slight angle so water does not sit on the base.
Strip the leaves from the bottom half of each cutting and leave two or three at the top. Cut any large leaves in half to reduce water loss.
Dip the base of each cutting in rooting hormone powder or gel and tap off the excess. This step is optional but lifts the success rate.
Fill a small pot with drainage holes with a mix of half peat-free compost and half perlite or grit. Water it well and let it drain.
Push four to six cuttings around the rim of the pot, spaced so the leaves do not touch. Firm the mix gently around each stem.
Water again and cover the pot with a clear plastic bag or a propagator lid. Use two short sticks to keep the plastic off the leaves.
Stand the pot in a warm, bright spot out of direct sun, around 18 to 21C. Keep the mix damp but never soaking wet.
After 6 to 12 weeks, tug one cutting gently. If it holds, roots have formed. Remove the cover and move each cutting into its own pot.
Tips and common mistakes
Label the pot with the variety name and date, because camellia cuttings take months and all look alike.
Mist the leaves if the bag dries out rather than soaking the mix, since wet compost rots the stems.
Avoid taking cuttings from a flowering camellia, as firm shoots after flowering or in late summer root best.
Cut away from your body with a sharp, clean blade to avoid slips.
Questions
How long do camellia cuttings take to root?
Usually 6 to 12 weeks, and longer in a cool room. Look for new top growth or a cutting that resists a gentle tug.
Can I root camellia cuttings in water?
They sometimes root in water, but the roots are fragile and many stems rot. A free-draining mix in a covered pot gives a much better success rate.
Do I need a heated propagator?
Not always. A room at around 18 to 21C with a plastic bag over the pot usually works, though bottom heat helps in a cold house.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
