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I'm a cuttings newbie.

wild edgeswild edges Posts: 9,044
in Problem solving
I've been trying to improve my skills with cuttings to get some free plants with some success. I have 2 problems though.

One is that I tend to stick loads of cuttings in one pot and never know when to separate them. I took 4 cuttings of Calceolaria integrifolia 'kentish hero' and 3 seem to be growing nicely now and putting on several new leaves. Do I let them grow and try and separate them later on or transplant them now while they're small? How do you know when is the right time? My original plant is not doing well this year after the cold winter so I'm hoping to take a lot more cuttings in case it doesn't recover.

The other problem is I took some cuttings of arenaria montana grandiflora (mountain sandwort) and about half are doing well but they're trying to flower before being properly rooted. Should I leave them to it or pinch the flowers off? Apparently it's better to grow from rhizomes but I didn't find that out until I'd taken the cuttings.

Does anyone else use the bags from their magazine subscription as pot tents for cuttings? It's been working really well for me.
Tradition is just peer pressure from dead people

Posts

  • ThankthecatThankthecat Posts: 421
    I usually pot them on into individual pots when I can see new top growth, although I did this yesterday with some cuttings taken several weeks ago and found not a single root had developed! It's rosemary, so I have no doubt they will grow. As for the flowering ones my inclination would be to leave them to it, but no idea if that's right or wrong! 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 82,743
    I separate and pot on when there's signs of white roots at the base of the pot ... and yes, nip out any flowers ... concentrate its mind on the job in hand ... making roots!  :)
    “I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh







  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
    I also remove the flowers on new cuttings for the first year, and some of the lower leaves too.  When I divide the cuttings and pot them up individually I tend to leave the pots in the shade at this time of year as they don't want direct sunshine or too much heat whilst establishing in their new pots. Don't overwater but don't let them dry out either. It's a great way to save a bit of money and perhaps swap the successful plants with gardening friends too.
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