CUTTINGS

A Humble Offering From The Plant World

Peaches can be grown from cuttings in summer or from dormant cuttings in winter

Peach cutting which has been dipped in root hormone powder

Myoporum to be used for cuttings, budding knife and budding tape to right of secateurs

New myoporum cuttings (left) and established cuttings (right)

Myoporum cutting (left) and after 3 months (right)

Repotting a myoporum cutting

Grafting plants has captured the imagination of many a gardener, but what could be a more simple way to produce new plants than from the humble cutting?

Any Part Except Flowers

Practically any part except the flowers can be made into a cutting. So we have leaf, stem, root and shoot tip cuttings. Hardwood, semi-hardwood and softwood cuttings can also be obtained from plants at different times of the year. Deciduous plants are often propagated from dormant cuttings. Other plant parts including runners, rhizomes and suckers are almost ready made cuttings. A cutting is halfway towards a new plant, only a root system and new leaves is needed.

Vineyard From Vine Cuttings

Whole vineyards have been established from a handful of vine cuttings. Mother stock plants, as cuttings, may be transported thousands of kilometers before becoming the foundation of a new industry.

Some plants are difficult to establish from cuttings in the main however, propagation of plants using this method is a rapid, easy and cheap way to produce large numbers of new plants.

Cuttings In My Hobby Farm

I plan to grow a selection of Fig and Pomegranate plants using dormant stem cuttings. These hardy plants are well suited to a mediterranean climate and will require little attention once established. Most importantly, I know that the plants produced in my hobby farm will be the same as the original plant from which cuttings were taken. Should you come across a plant which seems to have unique qualities, these can be reproduced by taking cuttings. If however very large numbers are required, budding and grafting may be necessary.

Great Gift From Plant World

I can’t help but think cuttings are a great gift to us from the plant world

They are there for us to collect without doing any real damage, and in many cases, pruning will also invigorate the mother plant. Remember to always look for cuttings which are free of insect infestations, disease, frost, heat and mechanical damage as these problems can lead to new plants of inferior quality.

Growing plants from cuttings will require a place where the temperature and humidity can be maintained at the optimum levels to ensure success. This can be done with simple materials such as a foam box and clear plastic. A Small hothouse is also a handy structure that would quickly pay for itself on the hobby farm.

Cutting Is Free

Cuttings are best placed in a sterilized propagation mix, as well, always use clean containers in order to avoid disease spread. Clean and sharp secateurs should also be used when producing cuttings.

Young gardeners will often “Cut their Teeth” with cuttings, most will never look back.

Finally, the best part about growing plants from cuttings - they are free!