striking cuttings
- To: m*@ucdavis.edu
- Subject: striking cuttings
- From: S* A* O*
- Date: Fri, 26 Nov 1999 12:34:31 -0800
The talk of rooting cutting of both Rosemary and Lavender is
very interesting. I do not consider myself to be any sort of
expert, but my own haphazard method might be of interest:
My extremely small garden in situated facing south west, in
the shadow of our multi story building which limits the
morning light. Being very sunny and dry, especially when
plants wish to take an afternoon rest is a challenge, but I
have found a spot in which to propagate.
In the shade of a very large shrub/tree, where we usually
sit on hot afternoon to escape the sun, I've set up an area
where I routinely set repotted plants or root cuttings. I
usually try and have a few pots ready to receive cuttings
all of the time since I tend to 'come into' cuttings when I
least expect. If I see something growing around town or am
offered some cuttings from a friend, I have a place to try
and root them right away.
My favored mix is equal parts vermiculite, perlite, sand,
and some of that gel stuff that comes as 'crystals' which
expand to many times their size when placed in water. This
final addition helps get partially rooted cutting through
the dry periods when I forget to water the propagation area!
In winter, I find the addition of this unnecessary or even a
liability. I often use rooting hormone, but just as often
don't because I'm unprepared or too lazy to replenish my
supply. If the plants are an 'easy root', I usually add in
one part of a loose soil or compost - something to feed them
until I get around to potting them up.
I strip the lower leaves carefully, reduce the size of largish
leaves (cut off the outer half), and pinch out the growing tip
to reduce wilting. I make fresh cuts below a node, unless
the cutting has a nice 'heel' from where it was torn off the
main stem. I try and carefully place the cuttings to avoid
too much contact with each other or other cuttings, but I do
pack them in pretty densely. I water well, usually overhead,
and place the pot in my shady, somewhat sheltered prop. area.
There is very good air circulation (even wind), and I seldom
cover anything with plastic or jars.
The next phase of my technique is VERY important - I completely
forget what I've so tenderly propagated! I do try and water the
whole area from time to time, and occasionally my children help
out as well. I seldom have enough time to do a good job and
almost never have time to inspect their progress with any
regularly during my busy weekly schedule. In this way, it is
doesn't root, and I find little dead sticks later, I don't recall
what I had hoped would root. If it does, I am very pleasantly
surprised and thrilled! Now, these successes must make it to
the next stage of me actually finding time to repot them and
grow them on! Again, if they make it, great! If they don't, I
may never realize what was lost!
I used to fuss endlessly over all of my plants and they placed a
very large burden on my emotions! Now that I have a family and so
many responsibilities, it is hard to get too upset over the
occasional loss of a plant here and there. If I am really
concerned that something survive, I will definitely give its care
over to someone much more capable and with more time and resource
than I! ;-)
Needless to say, at least in my own mind, I've had good success
with my method, anything that roots is a nice surprise and a 'gift'!
(Depending upon the type of plant, I actually do get reasonable
results.)
Regards,
Sean O.
Sean A. O'Hara sean.ohara@groupmail.com
h o r t u l u s a p t u s 710 Jean Street
'a garden suited to its purpose' Oakland, CA 94610-1459, U.S.A.
