Tips
Hardwood Cuttings
Have you ever tried your own plant propagation? It sounds like the sort of thing only serious gardeners do, but it’s really quite easy, especially at this time of year.
Why? Because winter’s the time to make what are termed ‘hardwood’ cuttings. These are the cuttings you grow from deciduous plants, the plants that lose their leaves in winter. Because these plants are dormant at the time, the cuttings are far less likely to dry out. In fact Mother Nature has programmed them to survive for months on the energy that’s stored within the stem.
Shrubs and climbers are the plants most often grown from hardwood cuttings. Trees usually need to ultimately develop a stronger root system, which is why they’re mostly grown either from seed, or grafted onto a seedling rootstock.
How to go about taking your hardwood cuttings
For most varieties, cut tip pieces about 150mm – to 180mm long while the plant is completely leafless. The top cut should be just above a node (the bud where new leaves will develop) and the bottom cut just below a node. Make sure you keep your cutting the right way up – it won’t survive if it goes into the pot upside-down. Dip the end of the cutting into Yates Cutting Powder. A number of cuttings can go into a pot filled with Yates Thrive Seed Raising Mix. Put the pots into the protection of a Yates Mini Greenhouse, and keep them in a cool spot.
What to grow from hardwood cuttings?
- Roses – If you have a favourite rose that you can’t identify, then winter’s the time to reproduce it. The plant won’t be as vigorous as those budded onto a strong rootstock, but it will still grow well in most climates. And there’ll never be any risk of the rootstock overtaking the top, which happens too often with roses.
- Bougainvillea – Bougainvillea cuttings can be taken for most of the year, so it’s worth trying in winter, especially if the bougainvillea completely loses its leaves.
- Grapes (including ornamental varieties)
Grape cuttings grow so easily they can simply be pushed into the garden bed where the plants are to grow, but it’s probably safer to put them into pots where they can be kept under surveillance until the new roots are well developed. - Hydrangeas – Take cuttings approximately 150mm long and insert a number into a pot.
- Peonies – Peonies are some of the most glorious flowering plants. While gardeners in warm areas may lust after them, they really only grow successfully in a cold climate.
- Frangipanis – Because of their almost succulent stems, frangipanis will grow from quite large pieces. Leave the cutting on its side to dry for a couple of weeks before potting into a light, sandy mix. Water sparingly.
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