How to Propagate by Cuttings: Make Your Own Rooting Hormone

Many perennials and shrubs can be easily propagated from cuttings. Even some of the more difficult plants can be increased through root cuttings if you follow a few simple guidelines. See below:

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• propagating soil mixture
• natural rooting hormone
• cuttings
• friends to share with

1. THE DAY BEFORE YOU TAKE THE CUTTINGS, fill a tub, pan or pot with propagating mixture: 1/3 soil, 1/3 sand, 1/3 spaghnum peat moss. (The soil provides nutrients, the sand provides drainage, and the peat moss increases moisture retention.)

2. WATER THE PROPAGATING MIXTURE THOROUGHLY, repeating several times during the day to make sure the peat has absorbed the water. (Once the peat is saturated, it will not dry out quickly and will be easily replenished.)

3. CUT 2 SLENDER BRANCHES FROM A WILLOW TREE. Cut the branches into 1-inch to 2-inch pieces and drop into a clean bucket of clean water. Let the willow pieces steep in this water until the following day when you take your cuttings. (Willow produces a natural rooting hormone. Steeping the willow pieces in the water allows the hormone to infuse the water and make an excellent rooting aid for your cuttings.)

4. ON THE DAY OF TAKING CUTTINGS, pour approximately 2 to 3 inches of willow water into a small bucket and take it with you when you get ready to take your cuttings.

5. USING A CLEAN, SHARP KNIFE OR CLIPPERS make cuttings approximately 6-8 inches long from desired root stock (plants you want to propagate).

6. REMOVE THE BOTTOM LEAVES FROM THE CUTTINGS and place the cuttings immediately into the small bucket with willow water.

7. ALLOW THE CUTTINGS TO STAND IN THE WILLOW WATER for 2-3 hours. The new cuttings will soak up the willow water natural rooting aid and be prepared to root very easily.

8. REMOVE THE CUTTINGS FROM THE BUCKET and stick the cuttings into the prepared rooting pots.

9. PLACE POTS WITH CUTTINGS IN BRIGHT SHADE in a protected area. Make certain that the soil never dries out. And then, depending upon the type of plant you are rooting, you will have rooted cuttings within 2 weeks to 2 months. Cuttings can then be planted in their own individual pots, or they can be moved to their permanent locations.

Tips & Warnings

• Make certain that newly planted rooted cuttings do not dry out.
• Feed with a diluted fertilizer solution--follow manufacturer's directions.

Resources

• How to Propagate Arborvitae
• Designing with Evergreen Shrubs

[jerryb1]

on 5/10/2009 'How to Propagate by Cuttings: Make Your Own Rooting Hormone,' became known to me just in time to let me add a few new plants to our Alpine Current hedge. Now, to find a friendly willow tree.

[kristara]

on 5/5/2009 Wow! I didn't know you could make your own rooting hormone, I am saving this one! Great information. 5*

[PearlsWisdom]

on 5/2/2009 Interesting article. Clear instructions. Good job!

[langleycornwell]

on 4/27/2009 Propogation is so fun and rewarding. Thanks for the instructions and tips on using willow water. 5*s.

[missbeth]

on 4/25/2009 An excellent article on how to propagate cuttings. The information about making your own rooting hormone is invaluable! Thanks for sharing that with us! 5*s