Semi-Hardwood cuttings

Bek Hyland

Start Date: 27 Feb 2012

Aim: To propagate new plants from semi-hardwood cuttings

Method: I took clippings from a Lavender sp. stock plant and placed them in a plastic bag with water to keep moist. 


Using propagation mix I filled 1x 125 mm squat pot.   I mixed up some rooting hormone (Rootex-G, 4g/L).  Using my secateurs I cut each clipping on a diagonal just under a node.  I removed the next two sets of leaves above and also clipped the remaining leaves in half to help it retain moisture.  I then held the bottom of the cutting in the rooting hormone for a few seconds.  I then used a dibble stick to make a hole in the propagation mix and inserted the cutting, hormone down, into the hole and pressed lightly.  I inserted 16 cuttings in total into the squat pot.  


The cuttings were then labelled, watered and placed on the mist bed in the greenhouse. 

Results:


5 March 
Cuttings are healthy. No signs of deterioration. 

19 March 
Cuttings are starting to deteriorate, possibly from being too wet.   I cut off the unhealthy looking leaves. 

















2 April
Some cuttings are still deteriorating (browning leaves), however there is now resistance when lightly tugging on the cuttings, which suggests roots are starting to form. 


CONCLUSION
23 April
Cuttings were potted on - all 16 cuttings were successfully rooted which meant there was a 100% strike rate.