The Subtleties Of Propagation Of Indoor Flowers By Cuttings

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Propagating flowers by cuttings is easier than growing them from seeds. This technique allows you to quickly get a well-formed and flowering plant. Whereas when grown from seeds, not every flower is able to present with buds in the first year. This method of reproduction is called vegetative. Although, despite its simplicity, not everyone succeeds in it either. And all because different plants have their own developmental characteristics. Some cuttings take root well when they are cut from both the bottom and the top. Other flowers will be able to take root only if the apical cuttings are used for propagation. Let us consider in more detail the features of vegetative reproduction of popular indoor plants

What are cuttings?

First, let's get acquainted with what cuttings are. The classification of cuttings is very simple. They are:

• stem;

• sheet;

• and root.

As you might guess from the name, this definition depends on which part of the plant the piece was cut from.

It is easiest to propagate with stem cuttings those plants that shed their leaves for the winter when it gets cold. To prepare for breeding with the arrival of the cold season, they need to be taken to the basement. Then, with the onset of spring, return to a warm room. At the same time, young shoots will begin to actively grow. It is they who are intended for reproduction. Because annual herbaceous shoots root much better than already lignified parts. Although lignified twigs can also be made to take root. But for this it is important that they have developed kidneys.

However, take your time to cut the young shoots of the cuttings right away. It is necessary to wait for the third or at least the second pair of leaves. After that, you can cut off the planting material.

How to cut a stalk?

From below it is cut off under the peephole. And from above they are cut off above the peephole. However, this rule does not apply to all colors. For example, for reproduction of carnations, cuttings are broken in internodes.

Another rule is that in order for the plant to grow and bloom faster, it is propagated by apical cuttings. It is suitable for growing fuchsia, geranium, chrysanthemum.

After cutting the cutting, but before planting it for rooting, it is advisable to remove one or two lower leaves. So it will be more convenient to plant it, and rooting will happen faster. Because the plant does not have to allocate resources to maintain life in the leaves and at the same time form the root system. This will make it easier for him to take root. Moreover, large leaves can be cut in half. Due to this, they will evaporate less moisture from the surface of the sheet plate.

By the way, not every cutting needs to be sent for rooting immediately. If you are going to propagate some succulent plant with leaf cuttings, they need to lie down in a dry, dark place for several days. After such preparation, processes are activated in the leaflet that stimulate it to "fight for life" and take root faster.

How to root cuttings?

Ordinary pots work well for rooting stem cuttings. However, filling the containers is slightly different from how it is done with seed propagation.

To root the stalk, you also first need to arrange a drainage layer in the pot. It is made from shards, a pebble or expanded clay - any material that does not retain and passes water well. After that, a soil mixture of peat and deciduous soil with sand is applied to the drainage in the next layer. And a layer of clean coarse-grained sand is laid on the very top.

In addition to the pots, you will also need glass jars. They are necessary in order to cover rooting cuttings. The good thing about glass jars is that they maintain the necessary moisture level for rooting, and at the same time, light penetrates well through them. At the same time, it is undesirable to leave the cuttings in direct sunlight. If such a place is allocated to them, then it will be necessary to arrange shading for them.

When to propagate by cuttings?

If you can start sowing the seed already in winter, then they are in no hurry to plant the cuttings. This work is postponed to the early spring period. However, evergreens also tolerate rooting well in late summer.