Xela's Garden

Cut new wood ( old wood will not produce new shoots) to maintain the shape of the plant.

STEP 1
Take the cutting from this year's growth. Select a shoot where the tip is soft new growth, but the lower part is harder older growth. Using a sharp knife, take a cutting 15-20cm (6-8in) long. If possible, select a shoot which has no flowers or buds on it.
Remove any leaves from the lower part of the shoot and cut it immediately below a leaf joint. Cut off the soft new growth at the top of the shoot just above a leaf joint. The ideal cutting should now be about 5-10cm (2-4in long).

STEP 2
For each cutting, fill an 8cm (3in) pot with potting compost. Dip the base of the cutting in hormone rooting powder, make a small hole in the compost and insert the cutting into the hole to about a third of it's length. Firm the compost down around the cutting. Water well.

STEP 3
To prevent the cuttings loosing too much water. place the pots in a small propagator with the vents closed. Alternatively, cover each pot with a plastic bag kept off the cuttings by wire hoops inserted into the compost. Place the cuttings in a warm, draught free place which is always out of direct sunlight. A propagator is ideal or against the house wall.

STEP 4
The cuttings will have rooted in a month or so. At this stage, harden them off over a week or two to the normal weather. During the winter, the plants need the protection of a cold frame or unheated greenhouse. The plants can be planted in their final positions next spring.

Cut new wood ( old wood will not produce new shoots) to maintain the shape of the plant.