SOFTWOOD CUTTINGS
Make new plants for free by taking softwood cuttings from colourful penstemons, fuchsias and hydrangeas
Taking softwood cuttings is an easy way to make new penstemons (pictured), pelargoniums, osteospermums, bidens, fuchsia and hydrangeas. The lush new growth on tender perennials and some shrubs provides rich pickings for propagation.
The soft flexible young shoot tips are full of vigour and root more quickly than older woodier growth.
The one drawback is that this type of cutting loses moisture quickly, so they’re vulnerable to wilting.
How to do it
• Take the cuttings Do it early in the day, when the plant’s cells are full of water, which helps to prevent wilting. Remove non-flowering shoots with secateurs (flowers would divert energy away from root production), cutting about 10cm (4in) long above a set of buds. Pop the cuttings in a plastic bag and seal it to prevent moisture loss. • Prepare your pots Fill 9cm (3½in) pots with compost and, using a dibber or a finger, make holes around the edges of the pot.
• Trim the first cutting Remove one cutting from the bag and trim the base to just below a set of leaves. Pinch out the soft growing tip and remove lower leaves. Dip the base in hormone rooting powder and insert into one of the holes, firming the compost around the shoot. Repeat with the other cuttings. It’s good to make more than you want in case some fail. l Water well. Cover with a propagator lid or a clear plastic bag (except pelargoniums which don’t like the extra moisture). Remove the lid or bag every few days for 10 minutes or so to ventilate the plants. Place in a warm bright spot, but not in direct sunlight. The cuttings should root in a couple of weeks. Keep checking the base of the pots for signs of roots appearing. Roots show they’re ready to be potted on into individual containers.