This week I want to say a few words about softwood cuttings which are taken from the youngest parts of a plant. The main thing to remember is that cuttings don’t have roots. Hardwood cuttings don’t have leaves either, and lose little water whilst they are forming roots.
Softwood cuttings, on the other hand, are taken with leaves and from the moment they are taken, what the gardener has to ensure is that this water loss is stopped almost at once, before any permanent damage is done.
Water loss from soft cuttings is reduced or stopped by increasing the humidity around them. This is done by enclosing them in an environment where the air can be saturated with moisture. Plants lose water through their pores (stomata) if the air is dry and they become dehydrated. The more water in the air the less they will lose.
Professional growers use mist propagation units which allow cuttings to be grown in full sunlight and high humidity provided by regular misting during the day. The private gardener can also buy small mist units which do the same thing, but for the vast majority of gardeners this is a luxury they can all well do without. All they need instead is a jam jar, glass bell jar, an inverted goldfish bowl or a small fish tank, or some plastic bags or rigid clear plastic to act as a cover.
The careful propagator sets up shop before starting to take cuttings. By this I mean that pots or trays are selected, cleaned and filled with pure sand, light sandy soil or one of the inert substances like vermiculite or perlite. The type of cover to be used over the cutting or cuttings is selected for cleanliness and size to make sure that cuttings are not disturbed when they are covered. Make sure that your rooting powder is handy and that enough has been taken out of the main tin to cover the work you are doing. It’s not a bad idea to put sufficient into a matchbox rather than dipping the cuttings into the main store of powder and wetting it. Also, have a careful look beforehand so that you know the place on the plant which is to provide the cuttings and that your knife is clean and sharp.
Speed is quite important for you want to reduce the amount of time the cuttings are exposed to dry air, so if you’re walking around the garden taking cuttings carry a large plastic bag into which you can pop them so they don’t start drying out. Prepare the cuttings in the shade and out of the breeze. Not all softwood cuttings need to be prepared with a knife. In fact with some like the chrysanthemum it is desirable to break them off at about 2” long. The reason for this is because many chrysanthemum stocks are infected by viruses. Using a knife merely transfers the infection from one cutting to another. As soon as the cuttings are prepared (the bottom inch or so should be clear of leaves) they should be inserted into the rooting medium so that the bottom leaves touch the surface. They should then be watered in thoroughly and covered at once.
Most softwood cuttings root quickly. Whilst you are waiting, however, it is important that every morning you wipe the condensation off the inside glass of the jar or change the plastic bag to improve the light. At the same time this gives you a chance to inspect the cuttings for any sign of rotting and to decide whether or not the compost needs to be watered again.
Whether you use hardwood or softwood cuttings will be largely a matter of experience, and you will find that many of the plants that can be propagated from hardwood cuttings can also be done from softwoods. Hardwood cuttings involve less daily worry than softwoods, but often a plant will provide more softwood cuttings than hardwood cuttings. It all depends on how many you want.
Plants which are difficult to root are usually difficult whatever type of cutting is used, and success may hinge on things like the health of the parent plant; where on the plants you get the cuttings (sunny side is best); whether the cutting is firm and healthy or on the weak side; and whether you use rooting powder. Most plants do not need rooting powder in order to produce roots, but it does quicken the process so that the time you have to pay special care is reduced. Also your turnover is more rapid, which is a good thing if you are in the business of growing to sell.
Until next week take good care and may your God go with you.
