Cindy's Recipes and Writings
Every year I wish I could bring my whole garden inside for winter. But even after I pot up the herbs and begonias, I take a few slips to root of the ones that won’t survive the winter.
Whether you’re a vine nut like me or geraniums make your heart flutter, creating more of your favorites doesn’t need to be a chore.
Important things to remember when rooting cuttings.
To reduce injury, always use a sharp knife or razor blade dipped in alcohol. A clean sterile cut will help prevent disease transmissions and help the wounds heal faster.
When taking a cutting, make sure there are at least two nodes (part where stem meets leaf) and about an inch of stem below the last node for support.
Remove any flowers or buds and any leaves below the last node. This helps the plant use its energy to make roots. Try using non-soil mediums such as sand, vermiculite, jiffy pots or peat & perlite.
Make a pencil hole into moistened medium and insert cutting with at least one node below surface and gently tamp.
If using a rooting hormone, remember to put a small amount in a separate container for dipping cuttings. This helps cut down on the risk of contaminating your hormone supply. Never use a rooting hormone on succulent or soft stems.
If rooting in water, make sure no leaves are submerged or touch the surface . Decaying leaves can cause fungal problems.
