10 tips for successful cuttings

1. Selection of cuttings

Cuttings are branches used for cuttings, which affect the survival rate of the cuttings. Generally, it is best to choose healthy branches with full buds and full internodes and no signs of leggy growth.

For home cuttings, semi-hard wood branches are generally chosen. The selected branches are one-year-old, which are fuller than new branches, are not afraid of water loss, and are more likely to survive.

2. Keep the appropriate leaves

In addition to the appropriate length (10-15 cm), good cuttings should have at least three nodes, retain appropriate leaves and be partially trimmed. Keeping the leaves can avoid excessive water loss and provide nutrients produced by photosynthesis to the cuttings, promoting the cutting life.

Cuttings are carried out in autumn and winter because the ambient temperature is lower and the moisture of the cuttings is not easy to dissipate. In a suitable temperature environment,. Except for removing the lower leaves that affect growth, all the upper leaves can be retained. Cuttings are taken in spring and summer. The roots will be higher and the cuttings will be prone to water shortage. At this time, you can trim part of the leaves or cut them in half.

3. Ensure cleanliness and sterility

Cuttings are all the equipment used. Things like planting pliers, soil, containers, etc. must be cleaned to ensure they are contaminant-free. Soak it in diluted alcohol or bleach before use. The blades or scissors used to cut branches should be disinfected every time you cut to reduce the possibility of bacterial infection.

4. Appropriate Season

Generally speaking, the suitable season for cuttings is between spring and summer. The air humidity is higher at this time, the branches are not easy to lose water, and the temperature is higher, so it is easy for the cuttings to survive.

Of course, cuttings can also be taken in autumn and winter, but because of the low temperature environment, the branches grow slowly and the weather is relatively dry. When taking cuttings, you must be prepared to keep warm and moisturized to promote rooting of the branches.

5. Breathability and proper lighting

When cutting, ensure that the soil has good air permeability and sufficient light. It has a certain water retention capacity to ensure a moist environment, and its air permeability is conducive to rooting, so perlite, vermiculite, etc. are often used as cutting media.

Maintaining a high humidity can ensure that the branches do not lose water. Before rooting, a humid environment can prolong the life of the branches and also give them more time to take root. Before rooting, avoid direct sunlight and provide appropriate light to ensure that the leaves can carry out photosynthesis and accumulate a certain amount of nutrients.

6. Application of rooting powder

Some plants are not easy to take root. In order to improve the survival rate of cuttings and shorten the rooting time, you can use rooting agents on the market to promote root germination. You can dilute the rooting powder and soak the branches.

7. Yellowing treatment

This is what we often call shading treatment, using black tape or black paper to place the branches in a completely dark environment, or selecting some strong branches for yellowing treatment. After yellowing, the epidermis of branches will thicken and the number of cells inside will increase, which is conducive to rooting.

8. Injury Treatment

The wounding treatment is performed on plants that are difficult to root. Choose strong branches, make wounds at the base of the branches, and after the wound part grows out, cut the branches and use them for cuttings to increase the survival rate.

9. Branch selection after pruning

Many plants will naturally age after growing for a period of time, thus reducing the survival rate of cuttings. Therefore, when selecting branches, cut off 1/2 of the branches to promote their re-sprouting. The new branches grown from the aging branches have stronger growth potential and can be used for cuttings.

10. Temperature control of roots

In professional cutting propagation, people will shorten the rooting time of cuttings and improve the survival rate of cuttings by increasing the root temperature. The soil temperature at the roots will affect the physiological response of the plant. Appropriately raising the soil temperature is a good method!