Growing plants is an inexpensive and satisfying hobby. Propagation consists in producing new plants by dividing, grafting or cutting existing plants. If you have seen a beautiful plant in your neighbor's garden and in your area, you can add it to your garden with these methods. Unlike seeds, cuttings and divisions reproduce the same characteristics as the mother plant that attracted you.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: By division
Step 1. Dig up the plant when it has finished flowering
Step 2. Shake the soil off the roots
Step 3. Divide the plant into several specimens
The division should follow the natural points of the plant (at the nodes, between the leaves, etc.). Make sure that each piece obtained has shoots and roots.
Step 4. Replant each new specimen in good potting soil, in a pot or in a sheltered garden bed, and water well
Method 2 of 4: By cuttings
Step 1. Choose a suitable pot for the cutting
You can use a full-sized pot for a single plant, or even put several cuttings in the same pot, spaced apart. For many plants, germination jars or trays are also good.
Step 2. Prepare the vase
Take a plastic (polyethylene) bag and put some gravel on the bottom. The pot will be placed in the bag after you plant the cutting in it. Fill the pot with suitable soil - sand and peat are an ideal combination for many plants. Finally, make sure the pot has good drainage (the water will go into the gravel instead of stagnating in the plastic bag).
Step 3. Cut a tough, young shoot from the plant's seasonal growth
Cut it right under a leaf or knot.
Step 4. Prepare the cutting
Once the stream is cut, remove the leaves from the underside. You can remove up to two thirds of the height if necessary. If the bark seems to be peeling, use scissors. You can also make an incision at the bottom of the cast to encourage rooting from this "wound".
Step 5. Plant the cutting in the potting soil
Use a skewer, pencil, or similar object to make a hole for the cutting. Do not use the cutting itself to make the hole as you could damage it. The idea is to gently insert the cutting into the hole and carefully fill with more potting soil.
Step 6. Now put the pot with the cutting into the plastic bag
Make sure the pot sits firmly in the gravel.
Step 7. Tie the end of the envelope with a plasticized metal tie
This will make it easy for you to open the bag to water and then close it again.
Method 3 of 4: Final steps for both methods
Step 1. Keep the soil moist
Do not soak or excessively water the cutting or plant obtained by division as it may rot and not root. The sprayer is fine for many plants but be careful with succulents or plants with fluffy leaves, which prefer ground-level watering. This prevents the combination of moisture and water from favoring the growth of fungi.
Step 2. After 6 - 8 weeks, gently pull the cutting or new seedling
If it resists, it means there are roots. Most plants will root in 6 - 8 weeks, but some species can take up to 12 months! Inquire about the plant if you are unsure. The most common garden plants take root quickly.
Step 3. Transplant to a larger pot or garden when the seedling is strong enough
Method 4 of 4: Understanding the Differences Between Asexual and Sexual Propagation
Step 1. Use sexual propagation, ie plant seeds and grow seedlings, to increase the number of plants
This is probably the method most used by farmers, including the cultivation of many cereals.
There are various ways of treating seeds to make them germinate in the artificial environment of a greenhouse. These are treatments that aim to force the dormancy of the seed and to obtain a germination according to the needs of the market. Mother Nature makes sure that germination occurs at the safest time for future seedlings, when the environment is favorable. Man tries to mimic these processes to grow plants indoors
Step 2. Use asexual propagation to propagate via a leaf, stem, or root pieces
All these methods develop plants that are practically clones of the mother plant. If you put a sprig in a jar full of water on the windowsill until the roots are formed it is asexual propagation. With this method, however, mold is very likely to form.
- Tossing plants such as hostas when they are very large is also a type of asexual propagation.
- Another form of cutting is cutting a piece of rhizome (root) from which another plant grows. The grafting method, often used for roses and fruit plants, is also asexual.
- Use the layering of raspberries where they bend to the ground. If you cover the plant with soil, new roots will form there.
Advice
- Some growers prefer to soak the ends of the cuttings in rooting hormone. A little more is spent but the rooting of the cuttings is facilitated. It is found in nurseries and garden supply stores.
- Avoid using woody or hard parts to make cuttings or if you propagate by division, as they are unlikely to sprout. The same goes for very soft or shriveled parts. However, sometimes you want to propagate a rare or unusual plant and use the cuttings or clumps you can get.
- Cuttings and clumps can be obtained at any time of the year, but keep in mind that roots form much slower during the winter. If you live in a cold climate area, it is only possible to propagate indoors during the winter.
Warnings
- Do not let the cuttings dry out, do not overheat them and do not soak them. Keep them in a shady place or indoors until they are well rooted.
- Do not overwater or run the risk of fungi growing or the seedling rotting.
- The knife you use to cut the cuttings must be clean to avoid transmitting diseases to the plants.
