Propagating Plants from Cuttings - Step-by-Step Guide, by Gardening With Alan Titchmarsh on YouTube. 3 min.
- Video length
- 3 min
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Pick a healthy shoot from this season's growth that is not flowering. Early morning is best, when the plant is full of water and firm.
Cut a 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4 inch) piece just below a leaf node. Use sharp secateurs so the cut is clean, not crushed.
Strip the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting. Leave two or three pairs of leaves at the top.
Fill a small pot with seed and cutting compost, firm it lightly and water it before you add the cutting.
Dip the cut end in rooting hormone powder if you have it, then tap off any excess so the stem is only lightly coated.
Make a hole with a pencil and push the cutting in so the lowest leaves sit just above the compost. Firm the compost around the stem.
Water gently and cover the pot with a clear plastic bag or a propagator lid to hold in moisture.
Keep the pot warm and out of direct sun. Check after two to six weeks for roots and new growth.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep your fingers behind the secateur blade and cut away from your body.
Take more cuttings than you need, because not every one will root.
Open the plastic bag for a few minutes every few days to let air in and stop mould.
Do not tug the cutting to test for roots. Look for new shoots instead.
Questions
When is the best time to take softwood cuttings?
Late spring and early summer, while this year's growth is still soft and bends easily. Hardwood cuttings are taken later, when the stems have turned woody.
Do you need rooting hormone?
No, many plants root without it. It can help slower or trickier plants root faster and more evenly.
How long before the cuttings are ready to pot on?
Usually six to eight weeks after roots appear, once you can see strong new shoots. Lift one gently to check the roots before potting the rest.
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.
