Extreme Cuttings

T5 Extreme Cuttings, originally uploaded by pennyeast.

The 5th and final post in the series on cuttings. Scroll down for previous entries.

There are times when cutting material is in very short supply! At those times it is possible to divide a normal tip cutting (1 and 2) into four parts - all of which have a very good chance of taking!

Figures 3 and 4 show the cutting divided into three and then four pieces, all of which are almost certain to root well and grow strongly. For these really tiny cuttings I only use vermiculite as the rooting medium as I am sure that it is clean and sterile. I always feel that these extreme cuttings are more vulnerable to botrytis and other fungal infections as the leaf tissue is in contact with the medium, and so constantly damp. Passing them through a weak fungicide solution before planting in sterile vermiculite gives them the best chance of survival in my shade house.

At this time of year they will root in three to four weeks and be ready for potting up a week after that.

STORM WARNING

There is a severe storm warning in place for the Western Cape for the whole weekend and Monday. If possible, try to protect your cuttings and very young plants from the high winds and very heavy rain expected. The little pots can be blown around, and the tiny plants and/or cuttings washed away in these conditions thus setting you back a long way.

Check the stakes and supports on any standards, and prune them back if you haven't done so already to reduce wind resistance. It is heartbreaking to have the head snapped off a a good standard in high wind!

Bring hanging baskets down to ground level and tuck them into a safe corner for a few days.

Batten down the hatches and sit tight!!

Top of the Pops

T1 Types of Cuttings - Tip, originally uploaded by pennyeast.

Quite a few people asked questions about the various types of cuttings that can can be taken when they were here on Friday. I will try to expand on these over the next few days.

Remember the basics: Take cuttings from strong healthy plants, and take them when the plants are fresh and turgid. Watering the plants well the day before is a good idea! Try to take cuttings in cool conditions and keep them moist and cool to prevent wilting before you can place them into damp rooting medium. If you can't plant them up immediately they will keep in the crisper tray of the 'fridge for a few days. Immerse them in luke-warm water for a while before planting to make sure that they are 100% turgid.

Tip Cuttings

These are the two best types of cuttings in my opinion.

Number 1, a nodal tip cutting, is by far the best cutting to take if the material is plentiful. It is planted up to the level of the lowest set of leaves and is just about guaranteed to strike. Natural growth hormones are concentrated around the nodes and will quickly make roots in a moist, loose medium.

Number two, called an inter nodal cutting because it is cut between two leaf nodes, is almost as good. It is young wood that is growing strongly and so is well supplied with growth hormones. Most cuttings of this type will strike easily in the right conditions. (temps of 13 - 23 degrees C). Plant it to just below the lower leaf node.