Questions tagged [cuttings]

Plant propagation technique. Use this tag with questions about how to use cuttings when propagating a plant. How take the cutting, what medium to use for propagation, etc.

Creating a plant cutting, is a technique for propagating () plants asexually. It is also known as striking or cloning. The latter is appropriate as the new plant is genetically identical to the original plant.

A cutting is created by cutting a , rowing , or branch from an adult plant. This "cutting" must include at least one stem cell, and is placed in a suitable growing medium (e.g. moist soil is commonly used). The chances of success can be improved with the use of rooting hormone to stimulate the growth of .

Use this tag for all questions about cuttings and propagation via cuttings. An example would be how to create the cutting - different plants have different requirements as regards to where to cut and when to cut for maximum success.

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Can I save my damaged Aloe vera plant?

I had an Aloe plant that had grown to about 10" tall, in the shape of a miniature Christmas tree. It was potted in a small 8" pot with two other succulents. Last night our cats broke the plant from the pot, leaving the roots in the pot and a small…
George
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What difference does rooting hormone make when propagating plants from cuttings?

What difference does rooting hormone make when propagating plants from cuttings? I have have been successful with and without it, but I would like to know for example, if it affects the speed or health of the growth.
Alex B
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Is there anything special I can do to promote fruiting in a tomato cutting?

Due to an unfortunate incident with a batting tee and a softball, I now have a cutting of a tomato plant growing in pot on my porch. As a pure experiment I started it in a 4" pot and it quickly became root bound. I have moved it into a much larger…
wax eagle
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Why didn't my forsythia cuttings root?

In May, I took some greenwood forsythia cuttings, dipped them in a hormone rooting powder and planted them in rooting mix. The mix was kept moist all year. I had thought they had rooted because they began to grow rapidly and the new shoots hardened…
J. Musser
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Efficacy of "willow water" for improving propagation of cuttings

"Willow water" is a term for water that has had willow soaked in it to extract compounds that improve the chances of a cutting growing roots. Here's a fairly descriptive article on it. I tried it once when I was given some cuttings from a ficus…
Highly Irregular
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How can I tell when a cutting has developed roots?

Is there any way to tell if a cutting has put down roots? I've had cuttings with healthy-looking green leaves that just never create roots (despite using root powder). I'd like to discard cuttings that don't root, but I also don't want to break…
John Walthour
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How are lilac cuttings taken?

I have an old lilac bush that I would like to propagate. Suckers work, but I would like more control over amount, uniformity, and size. I had heard that they root readily from hardwood and semi-ripe cuttings, but after several failed attempts, I…
J. Musser
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Are all plants able to be cloned?

Do all flora possess the capacity to be cloned or viably reproduced from their trimmings, offcuts, and so on? Or is this trait exclusive to certain varieties; or specific (cultivars) taxa?
voices
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Taking a cutting from cherry Tree

I'm travelling around various family members all over the UK for the next week. The family members I'm with at the moment have a really gorgeous cherry tree that I would really like a cutting from, but won't get it home to do the actual rooting…
AvieRose
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How do I care for a young fig tree?

I received a foot long rooted cutting of a fig tree that is hardy in zones 7-11. I have it in a clay base soil in the ground. It currently has two small leaves. I am completely ignorant of how to care for it and would like some advice. I am in USDA…
J. Musser
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Cloning currants shouldnt be this hard..?

I keep seeing claims that currant cuttings will "root enthusiastically". I'd love to have another black currant bush or two, but so far I haven't been able to get one to survive. They usually last long enough to drop the original leaves and start…
keshlam
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Can trees be propagated from cuttings without roots or leaves?

It's well known that many tree species can be propagated by taking stem cuttings. It's also well known that many tree species can grow new stems and leaves after having the trunk cut. My question is: can a tree be propagated by cutting a section…
John Walthour
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My long stemmed rose is growing new leaves

I had a long stemmed rose in a bouquet of flowers. The head had died so I went to discard the stem, only to notice new leaves were shooting out of it in 3 different places. I left the stem in the vase of water and came here to find out what to do…
user9775
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Shaping my new bonsai

We are working on this bonsai and would like some expert advice. Should we cut more sub-branches? Is it ok if the main branch is bending towards one side? Or should we cut it to make it straight? Any other tips based on these pictures? Click…
samyb8
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When rooting cuttings in water, should the water be exchanged regularly?

When my mom roots cuttings in water, she always insist that the water in the glass / jam jar / other container should not be exchanged, only topped up as needed. She even will place newer cuttings in the jars with older (by days or weeks) cuttings…
Stephie
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