How to take cuttings

26 Sep, 2010
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Here are some examples of cuttings .From left to right - Boulevard,fuchsia,Cotoneaster, unknown variety of conifer.

To give an idea of scale the blue boulevard is about 2.5 inches long

The stems should be firm but not too hard. Taking a thin sliver of "bark" off one side of the cutting will aid rooting as will using hormone rooting powder.Most shrubs can be propagated from cuttings between April and September in the UK. The best time for each varies by species.

Note: all the stems are cut just below a leaf joint and i usually remove the next couple of leaves above the base of the cutting. With big leaved cuttings I cut the leaves in half to reduce water transporation.( see second from left cutting) I push the cuttings into the potting compost so the foliage of the cutting is level with the surface of the compost.

The cuttings should be put in a mixture of 25% horticultural sand and 75% potting compost( 100% potting compost will work with many cuttings but the sand improves the % success rate)and well watered immediately but kept just damp thereafter until they root. Place preferably in a shaded coldframe or in a shady sheltered spot outside..

Please see my blog entry dated 26.09.10 for much more information

Comments on this photo

Janey

Thanks for this good information Anchorman.....I shall try cuttings of my Artemisia tomorrow......interesting to see that you've trimmed the leaves too.......

26 Sep, 2010

Alexandramou

I started two cutting from my favorite conifer when I saw the picture of your coldframe a week ago. Thanks for the info, hope they root.

27 Sep, 2010

Anchorman

I hope so too. Don't give up on then unless they go brown. Some conifers can take 5-6 months to root over autumn and winter and don't get going until spring!

The knack is to keep them only just damp and shaded.

27 Sep, 2010

Alexandramou

ok Anchorman,,,,will have to move them to a shadier place. If they are still alive in a few weeks will post picture.

27 Sep, 2010

Anchorman

Are they outside or in a coldframe. A coldframe would be better. Failing that if you cut off the top of a large clear plastic drinks bottle and cover the cutting with it that does the same job . To be fair I've never used this method with conifers but it worked well when I tried it with laurel many years ago.

27 Sep, 2010

Alexandramou

I have them on a table that I have pushed up against two windows...I have all my cuttings there and my new perennial seedlings. The conifers are at the back but as the sun has slanted downwards they have to be moved. They have been there for a week now and they look ok. If I see they start to dry out I will put a plastic bottle over them.

27 Sep, 2010

Anchorman

i assume you mean indoors? I don't think conifer cuttings are likely to thrive indoors. I may be wrong though because I have never tried it.

27 Sep, 2010

Alexandramou

I can take a few more cutting ant try it outdoors. Should I cover them?
By the way where these are now it is a storage area so ther will be no heat during winter.

27 Sep, 2010

Labdancer51

Thanks for the info Anchorman, I must have a go myself. :o)

27 Sep, 2010

Anchorman

I do place the mahority of my cuttings in a shaded unheated coldframe.However quite a few things will root outdoors in a light soil in a lightly shaded position. Some things do better outside. I find penstemmon do very well outdoors but they need a bit of protection in the coldest part of winter. (fleece or straw)

27 Sep, 2010

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