Add Photo to Journal
|
|
| Photo Credit: Megan Bame |
| Lots of plants will root by cuttings, including butterfly bush, hydrangea, beautyberry and boxwood (and more)! |
Have you ever been in someone else’s garden and wished you had the exact same plant? Would you believe me if I told you that you could? And no, it doesn’t involve a late night trip and a shovel! It involves a type of plant propagation – using stem cuttings. Stem cuttings are small parts of a plant that come from the tips of the stems. And the great thing about using stem cuttings is that you’ll wind up with an exact genetic replica of the plant you’re duplicating – it’s a clone.
Now you may be wondering which plants you can propagate by stem cuttings. As a general rule, the woodier the plant is, the harder it is to root. For example, a poinsettia – an herbaceous plant with soft stems – roots easily. Shrubs, like hollies and azaleas, root pretty well if you use a little rooting hormone. And trees, like oaks, are very difficult to root no matter what technique you use. Many annuals and perennials can be propagated by stem cuttings: from coleus and basil to rosemary and chrysanthemums. Some of your woody shrubs and trees may take a little more practice (and some just plain don’t root well this way at all). But trust me – you’ll get better at it with practice. And a good way to learn is to experiment with lots of different plants – just be sure to include some herbaceous ones when you’re getting started so you’re assured some success.
|