How To

How to Propagate from Cane Cuttings

By eHow Home & Garden Editor
Rate: (4 Ratings)

Indoor plants can be propagated from cane cuttings. Make cane cuttings if the plant has lost a majority of the lower leaves and has a long, unsightly stem with only a few leaves left at the top of the plant. By making several new plants from the stem pieces, you can eventually transplant them back into the mother plant, creating a bushy version of the original.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Flowerpots
  • Garden Shears
  • Houseplants
  • Potting Soil
  • Plastic Bags
  • Plastic bags
  1. Step 1

    Water the plant well prior to taking the cuttings. Plants that respond well to this type of propagation are dracaena, dieffenbachia, Monstera or other plants with thick, fleshy stems.

  2. Step 2

    Remove the upper portion of the plant. If there is only a single stem, you may want to make a stem cutting of the top section. Stem cuttings are made from parts of plants that have foliage; cane cuttings are made from pieces with no leaves.

  3. Step 3

    Cut the remaining part of stem into 4- to 6-inch-long pieces. Be sure to leave a section of the plant in the pot that has several leaf joints. New growth will emerge on the mother plant from dormant buds.

  4. Step 4

    Dust the cut sections with rooting hormone.

  5. Step 5

    Place the prepared cane cuttings into a pot filled with moist, sterilized potting soil. You can put several cuttings into one pot.

  6. Step 6

    Place the pot of cuttings inside a clear plastic bag and close tightly. The plastic bag will act as a miniature greenhouse, holding in moisture and heat.

  7. Step 7

    Set the bagged pot in a bright area, but not in direct sunlight. Too much heat will cook your cuttings.

  8. Step 8

    Open the bag occasionally to water the cuttings. Do not fertilize until the new plants have been transplanted and are exhibiting signs of growth.

  9. Step 9

    Transplant the cuttings back into the pot with the mother plant when they have two sets of leaves. Tip the little plants out of the pot and carefully separate the roots if you plan to use them in separate pots.

Tips & Warnings
  • This process may take as long as several months, depending on the variety of plant. Be patient and keep the potting soil damp.

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