How to Propagate Plants
Did you know there is a completely free way to get more plants? It just requires some time and some know-how. Propagating plants is the process of growing new plants from a single, parent plant. There are many ways to do this and with a little patience you can have new plants ready for the house or the yard!
The first thing to know is which plants are best for propagation. Some plants take to the process easier than others.
Some common plants to propagate include:
– Gardenias
– Hibiscus
– Hydrangeas
– Jasmine
– Magnolia
– Chrysanthemums
– Azaleas
So how do you get started? First find the stem on the plant that is best to cut. Look for a shoot without any flowers and is between 2-4 inches long. It’s best to take a cutting in the early morning when the plant is most full of moisture. Make sure the parent plant is large enough to not be negatively affected by losing the cutting.
Have your containers ready for the cuttings – a pot with a mix of compost and potting mix. Cut the stem and remove the lower leaves. Place the shoot in the pot with the soil up to the lowest level of leaves. Place the container with the cutting into a plastic bag which will help keep in humidity and warmth. Don’t seal the bag completely so that the cutting can still receive adequate air flow. Place the container in a warm area of the house with indirect sunlight.
Keep the soil moist but not completely wet. After two or three weeks check for root growth by tugging on the plant – if there is resistance it means roots have begun to form. Once roots are established you can transplant the cutting either to the ground or a larger pot.
This process can be repeated many times with many different types of plants. There is typically some trial and error to see what the plants need to develop so don’t get discouraged if you don’t succeed at first! Propagating is a great way to grow your collection of plants!
For more information on developing your landscaping or selecting new plants – contact the experts at Gregory Landscape Services!
