Tag Archives: Propagation

Plants to Propagate in October

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Rosemary:

  • Select Stems: Choose healthy, flexible tip growth (semi-hardwood) that is green and bends instead of snapping; avoid woody, brown bases or flowering tips.
  • Make the Cut: Using disinfected, sanitized pruners snip a 4-to-6-inch piece Strip Leaves: Gently pull the leaves off the bottom 2 to 3 inches of the stem.
  • Rooting: Dip the end in rooting hormone (optional) and place it in a well-draining mix (such as perlite and peat or potting soil) or water.
  • Overwintering: Keep the pots indoors near a bright window or under grow lights, cuttings need to be protected from freezing winter weather.
  • Transplant in Spring: Roots typically develop over several weeks to months. New plants can be individually potted or planted in the garden when spring arrives

 

Lavender:

  • Select Stems: Choose healthy, non-flowering side shoots from the current season that are firm and slightly woody at the base, but still flexible at the top (semi-ripe or hardwood). Avoid thick, old wood.
  • Make the Cut: Using disinfected sanitized pruners, snip 3- to 6-inch cuttings just below a leaf node where growth hormones are concentrated
  • Strip Lower Leaves: Remove the leaves from the bottom half to two-thirds of the stem, leaving only a few tiny leaves at the top.
  • Apply Rooting Hormone (Optional): Dip the bottom node into a rooting hormone powder to encourage faster root development.
  • Pot in Well-Draining Soil: Insert the cuttings into pots filled with a fast-draining propagation mix, multi-purpose compost, or a mix of compost and grit. Space them out along the edge of the pot.
  • Water and Create Humidity: Water the soil thoroughly to settle it. Cover the pot with a clear plastic bag supported by small plant canes, like a bamboo skewer, securing it with an elastic band to maintain high humidity (remove the bag periodically to let air circulate and prevent mold).
  • Overwintering keep the potted cuttings indoors on a bright windowsill, or in a greenhouse. Do not let them freeze or sit in  waterlogged soil.
  • Transplant in Spring: Roots typically develop over several weeks to months. New plants can be individually potted or planted in the garden when spring arrives

Propagation Tips: Rosemary Cuttings

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Cuttings are the most common way on how-to propagate rosemary.

Take a 2- to 3-inch cutting from a mature rosemary plant with a clean, sharp pair of shears.

Rosemary cuttings should be taken from the soft or new wood on the plant. The soft wood is most easily harvested in the spring when the plant is in its most active growth phase.

Remove the leaves from the bottom two-thirds of the cutting leaving at least five or six leaves.

Take the rosemary cuttings, dip bottoms in rooting hormone and place it in a well draining potting medium.

Cover the pot with a plastic bag or plastic wrap to help the cuttings retain moisture. Place in indirect light.  When you see new growth, remove plastic. Then, transplant to your new location.

Photos & Article by Carlotta Lucas

Willow Water

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Why & How to make Willow Water

Willow bark contains a natural plant growth hormone called, auxin hormone.  You can use this hormone to stimulate root growth on propagation cuttings by making a home-brewed solution called, ‘Willow Water’.

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Willow Twigs

First, you collect first-year twigs from any willow species (Salix spp.); these twigs will have green or yellow bark. Older willow growth has brown or grey bark, so don’t use those. The willow leaves are not used, so remove all the leaves from your twigs and toss them into your compost.  Take these willow twigs and cut them into 1-inch to 3-inch long pieces. You will need approximately 2-cups of twigs to make ½ gallon of willow water.

 

Extracting growth hormone from willow twigs:

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Steeping Willow Twigs

Method A – Place the 1-inch willow twigs in a container and cover with ½ gallon of boiling water, let them steep for at least 24 hours, then strain the liquid into another container to remove twigs.

Method B– Place the 1-inch willow twigs in a container and cover with tap water. Let twigs soak 48 hours, and after 2 days strain to remove the twigs.

The willow water is now ready to use.

How To Use:

First method: Pour some willow water into a small jar, and then place the cuttings you want to root into the willow water like flowers in a vase, soak the ends overnight. After soaking, plant the cuttings in a propagation medium.  Planting medium suggestion is ½ vermiculite and ½ Coir (coconut fiber) or peat moss.  Please note: coir is a sustainable planting medium, while peat moss is not.

Second method:  Plant the cuttings you want to root in a propagation medium, then use willow water to water these cuttings.  Watering the cuttings with willow water twice should be enough to help them root.

How To Store Willow Water:

Store willow water in a jar with a tight fitting lid and keep refrigerated. Label the jar with Contents, Brew Date, and Expiration Date. Willow water keeps for up to two months if refrigerated, but freshly made willow water is more potent, therefore the longer it is stored the less effective it becomes.

Submitted by: Carlotta Lucas

Resources:

Deep Green Permaculture  https://deepgreenpermaculture.com/diy-instructions/home-made-plant-rooting-hormone-willow-water/

Garden Know How  https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/projects/making-willow-water.htm