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Softwood cuttings

Softwood cuttings are taken from spring to early summer (Apr-Jun), using material from the soft and flexible young shoot tips from this seasons growth, which root readily. Use for hardy and tender perennials, deciduous shrubs, climbers and some trees. are mostly used for propagating hardy and tender perennials such as Anthemis, Aubrieta, Argyranthemum, Bidens, Osteospermum, Penstemon , Pelargonium , Petunia and Verbena.

This technique can also be used for a wide range of mainly deciduous

Deciduous refers to plants (mainly trees and shrubs) that lose their leaves seasonally, usually during autumn. This is a natural process triggered by the season's shorter days and lower temperatures and allows plants to conserve energy during the winter months. shrubs, such as Buddleja , Fuchsia , Hydrangea , Lavatera, Perovskia as well as for some trees, such as Betula , deciduous magnolia and some maples.

Softwood cuttings have the highest rooting potential of any stem cutting and often provide the best chance of rooting species that are difficult to propagate.

Most softwood cuttings

Softwood cuttings are taken from spring to early summer (Apr-Jun), using material from the soft and flexible young shoot tips from this seasons growth, which root readily. Use for hardy and tender perennials, deciduous shrubs, climbers and some trees. are taken in spring and early summer, from the tender new growth of the season. If potted by mid-summer they will develop sufficient roots to survive the winter, otherwise pot up in the following spring.

Cuttings

A method of growing new plants from parts of an existing plant, such as sections of root, stem, leaf or bud. When prepared correctly and planted in the right conditions, they can produce roots and eventually become independent plants. There is a wide range of different methods for taking cuttings, depending on the plant and time of year. from young plants root more easily; heavily pruning older plants can stimulate new growth that will root quicker than the old growth.

Soft plant material loses moisture rapidly, so care needs to be taken to prevent wilting.

Gathering cuttings material

• Collect material early in the day when it is full of water (turgid)
• Collect non-flowering shoots, as they will root more readily
• Remove up to 10cm (4in) of shoot, cutting off the material neatly above a bud
  A bud is a small, undeveloped shoot that contains the potential for new growth. Buds are typically found on stems, where they can be apical (found at the tip) or axillary (found between leaf axils) and may develop into leaves, shoots or flowers. on the parent plant
• Place the cuttings material in a clean plastic bag with a label. Store the bag of material in the fridge if you cannot prepare the cuttings immediately

Preparing nodal softwood cuttings

Most softwood cuttings

Softwood cuttings are taken from spring to early summer (Apr-Jun), using material from the soft and flexible young shoot tips from this seasons growth, which root readily. Use for hardy and tender perennials, deciduous shrubs, climbers and some trees. are nodal, i.e. cut at the bottom just below the leaf joint or node, where there is a concentration of hormones

Chemical substances that regulate plant growth and development. There are several types of plant hormones, including auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins, abscisic acid and ethylene. These hormones play important roles in processes such as cell division, elongation and differentiation, as well as in responses to environmental stimuli such as light and gravity. to stimulate root production.

• Using a sharp knife trim below a node
  This is a point on a stem where new growth sprouts, usually leaves, buds, side-shoots or roots. The section of stem between two nodes is an internode. When taking nodal stem cuttings, you trim them just below a node at the base, as this is where new roots will sprout. With a few plants, especially climbers such as clematis and honeysuckle, stem cuttings produce roots from the internode, so are known as internodal cuttings. to make a cutting about 5-10cm (2-4in) long
• Remove the lower leaves, pinch out
  Removal of a plant’s growing tip (usually with finger and thumb) to encourage it to produce side-shoots, forming a bushier, well-shaped plant that will bear more flowers and/or fruits. the soft tip and dip the base of the cutting in hormone
  Chemical substances that regulate plant growth and development. There are several types of plant hormones, including auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins, abscisic acid and ethylene. These hormones play important roles in processes such as cell division, elongation and differentiation, as well as in responses to environmental stimuli such as light and gravity. rooting powder or liquid
• Make a hole for the cutting in a a container of cuttings compost
  Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: • Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own. using a dibber
  A small stick used to make holes in potting compost for sowing seeds or transplanting small seedlings. Various items can be repurposed as dibbers, including pencils, plant labels and chop sticks. (a clean blunt stick) and insert the base of the cutting with the first pair of leaves just above the level of the compost
• Label the pot and water it from above to settle the compost
• Place the pot in a closed propagator
  A propagator is a portable, lightweight structure usually plastic, with a vented or unvented lid to provide a humid, slightly warmer atmosphere. It is useful to help seeds germinate and root cuttings. It may have adjustable, thermostatic temperature control. case with bottom heat of 18-24C (64-75F). Covering with a plastic bag and placing somewhere warm will suffice if no other equipment is available, but remove the bag to ventilate the cutting at least twice a week for 10 minutes. Commercial nurseries use mist units to provide constant humidity
  The concentration of water vapour in the atmosphere. This affects the rate at which plants transpire (lose water from their leaf pores), which in turn affects how much water their roots absorb from the soil. If air humidity is low, plants transpire quickly and become at risk of wilting if water is lost from the leaves faster than it can be absorbed by the roots. Different plants require different levels of humidity to thrive. Many tropical houseplants need high humidity and are best grown in a steamy bathroom, misted regularly or placed on a saucer of damp pebbles. In a greenhouse, humidity can be raised in hot weather by damping down (wetting) the floor or overhead misting.
• Cuttings should be placed in good light but not direct, scorching sunlight. Covering with fleece
  A soft, fibrous, translucent material laid over or around plants hastening their growth and protecting them against weather and pests. Heavier grades of fleece give about 2°C of protection from frost. It is usually used without supporting hoops. will help diffuse bright sunlight
• Ensure the compost is moist until the cuttings are well-rooted which takes about 2 to 4 weeks
• Once rooted, harden off
  Gradually acclimatising tender or indoor-raised plants to outdoor conditions, to toughen them up and prevent a check in growth. Place plants outside in a sheltered spot during the day then bring indoors at night for a couple of weeks. Or place in a coldframe, opening the lid during the day. the cuttings for about two weeks and pot them on individually. Covering with fleece or gradually increasing the ventilation
  The introduction of outdoor air into a space, for example, a greenhouse. This airflow can reduce temperature, replenish the gases absorbed by plants and keep down fungal diseases like grey moulds. of plastic bags or propagators will allow the soft leaves to develop a robust water-proof cuticle
  A waxy, protective layer on the surface of leaves and stems that helps to prevent water loss. It also provides a barrier against insect feeding damage and diseases. The thickness and composition of the cuticle can vary depending on the plant species and environmental conditions. so that they can survive in lower humidity environments
• Remove any dead, rotting, dying or diseased material at least weekly

Some hard to root plants such as Rhododendron respond well to wounding, removing a thin slice of bark

Bark is the outermost layer of woody plants (trees, shrubs and woody climbers). It is several cells thick and provides protection against physical damage, disease and environmental stresses. Bark comes in a wide variety of colours and patterns, and these can help gardeners when identifying plants. The fissures and crevices of bark on older plants also creates valuable habitat for many garden creatures as well as lichens and small plants. near the base of the stem and then dipping the wound in hormone rooting compound. Others, such as Acer palmatum , Cotinus , Lonicera , Jasminum and Sambucus , can be removed from the parent plant with a heel, pulling off the stem with a ‘tail’ of bark from the previous season’s growth. The heel is then dipped in hormone rooting compound.

Preparing basal softwood cuttings

These are similar to nodal cuttings except they are taken from clusters of young shoots at the base of herbaceous plants in spring.

This technique is suitable for Aster , Chrysanthemum , Delphinium , Lupinus , Phlox and Salvia .

Select sturdy shoots 7-10cm (3-4in) high with the leaves just unfolding. Using a sharp knife remove them as close to the base as possible, including part of the woody basal tissue. Then treat as nodal cuttings.

These are taken a little later in the season than softwood cuttings

Softwood cuttings are taken from spring to early summer (Apr-Jun), using material from the soft and flexible young shoot tips from this seasons growth, which root readily. Use for hardy and tender perennials, deciduous shrubs, climbers and some trees. , usually from late spring to mid-summer.

They are similar to softwood cuttings except the base of the stem is firmer as it has had longer to mature.

Prepare greenwood cuttings

A method of growing new plants from parts of an existing plant, such as sections of root, stem, leaf or bud. When prepared correctly and planted in the right conditions, they can produce roots and eventually become independent plants. There is a wide range of different methods for taking cuttings, depending on the plant and time of year. as you would softwood cuttings, but make them a bit longer, generally 7.5-12.5cm (3-5in) long.

This technique is suitable for berry fruits, Ceanothus , Forsythia and Philadelphus .