Propagation

Propagation can be simple.  But if you are experiencing difficulties keeping your cutting alive, it may be a good idea to have a look at hygiene and how you can prevent bacteria and contamination.  

Clean and sterilised work areas, substrates and tools are essential for successful propagation.

Use a diluted bleach solution of 1:10 parts water to spray tools and surfaces or use as a dip for cuttings.  Methylated spirits or isopropyl alcohol can also be used as an effective sterilising spray.

Cross contamination occurs when pests and disease are transferred between plants unknowingly on our tools or other points of contact.  To avoid, spray tools after each use (per plant or plant group) and allow sprayed surfaces to air dry.

Retail potting mix is usually sterile when purchased if it is unopened.  

To reuse soil, sterilise at home through solarisation, a process using the sun to heat the soil sufficiently to kill any bugs or pathogens.  To do this, remove any debris and place in a lidded container or wrap firmly in black plastic/bags.  Leave in the sun for an extended period of time, usually 4-6 weeks. Replenish nutrients and ensure adequate drainage before use.

Provide support and moisture.  The right mix of aeration, drainage and moisture retention characteristics will improve your chances and speed up growth.

Specially marked propagation or seed raising mix is a good start for most plant propagation.  

Fertilisers are not required until there are sufficient roots.  As such, most pre-mixed potting mixes are not recommended for propagation.

Water is easily accessible and is as easy as filling a glass vessel, jar or vase.  Ensure at least one node is below the water surface.

Support smaller cuttings in water with LECA or perlite.  

Sphagnum Moss works well for plants that take a longer time to root as it retains moisture well.  We like to use 'spag' with a cloche over the pot to further reduce moisture loss.

Any substrate used should be kept moist until roots are formed and/or shoots appear.

Each propagation method below includes our most commonly used substrates. 

Cuttings can be taken and grown successfully from many plants.  

They can be a whole leaf, a leaf vein, a leaf cross section, the growing tip of the plant or even just a section of stem.  

Cut stems on an angle to maximise opportunity for water absorption.

Cut stems just above a node then trim the internode (remaining stem) and any lower leaves to minimise rotting material.

We usually put cuttings in glass vessels or jugs of water with smaller cuttings supported by LECA or perlite.  

Consider using a rooting hormone to encourage root growth for hardwood cuttings.

Diffused light is ideal for growing cuttings, progressing to harden off in more light as they grow.

Division is the process of separating small pups or offshoots from the parent plant.  

Pups with sufficient root system already in place may be planted directly into a pot.

Small pups should be treated as cuttings and put in water or other propagation medium until roots are better established.

Layering is sometimes done inadvertently when a plant sends roots to an adjacent pot or down to the ground.  

These roots then establish in the secondary location and the new root system is able to be separated from the primary plant.  

We use a similar layering technique for many of our vines and climbers.  A pot is placed nearby with the vine anchored into the substrate at a node.  The node will then form roots and establish separately as above.