Verbena B. cuttings

HalleS

Hi everyone. 

I have 3 Verbena bonariensis cuttings taken from my mother-in-law’s garden. I followed online instructions for starting cuttings in soil and did that with 2 of them about 3 weeks ago. They are currently in the shed (bright but no direct sun, plastic bag over the pot) and I’m seeing new growth.
My questions are:

1) Should I leave them covered with the plastic until I see roots coming out of the pot?

2) Should I leave them in the shed over winter or take them inside? I’m in SW England if that makes a difference. 

3) Should I pinch the tops to encourage bushier growth?

I am nervous about this because I tried to start some erysimum cuttings  earlier in the year (first time ever trying) and they all died... I also have never grown any verbena!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 🙂

Fairygirl

They don't need to be inside at all. Or covered 
Outside, somewhere with a little shelter so that they don't get annihilated by wind and rain, or fried in sun. By a house wall is often the best place.
They need no real protection over winter either.
Any cuttings of them  I take are left out - usually among some other plants in a border, or under a bench or against the house wall.     

HalleS

Thank you, @Fairygirl. Very helpful as always!

Posy

Taking cuttings is a lot of work. They seed themselves like weeds in my garden, so you may not have to bother again!

Fairygirl

Depends on location and climate  though @Posy. They don't often seed successfully around here, so cuttings are always best for me if I want more. 

They're very easy from cuttings though  - I take them quite often. Just cut bits off and stick them round the edge of pots of compost.  

Posy

Yes, I'm in the soft south, but I think Wiltshire should be ok.

Fairygirl

I think you're probably right @Posy
I often take cuttings as back up, as the main plants sometimes don't make it through winter here. The last couple have been much easier though, and fewer snowfalls etc. 

HalleS

Thank you both! My MIL is on the Isle of Wight as well @Posy and she says her verbena self seeds like mad. Hopefully I’ll have the same problem 😊

Fairygirl

Good luck @HalleS
If you get self seeded plants, you'll have loads, and if not, you can take cuttings when those ones are a bit bigger - win win!

PageZ

I am so glad that I saw this post! I was going to sit back and wait for them to self seed but now I will definitely take cuttings just in case! This is my first year growing verbena and I fell in love with it. Such a trouble free plant and gives height without blocking anything. 

Fairygirl

It's possibly a bit late for doing them now, but no harm in trying, especially if you're in a warmer area. I usually do them in late spring into summer, when they 'take'  really easily.