Q&A for How to Grow Cuttings from Established Plants

Whatever season your original plant starts to produce new growth. This is usually spring time.

Yes. However, you may have more success putting your sedum cutting directly into soil or into damp sand to propagate.

Many plants can grow from cuttings, but not all. Before taking a cutting from a plant, do some research to find out the best and easiest way to propagate it.

There are a number of reasons this could happen. If you plant your cutting in soggy or contaminated soil, the roots could begin to rot. It’s also possible to kill a cutting by over-fertilizing it.

For most plants, rooting will happen within 3-4 weeks. However, some species might take longer.

Rooting hormone powder. There are a few different brands available in your local garden or hardware store.

The cutting probably didn't take root - only the roots can take in a lot of water. Also, twigs are less likely to survive than a medium-sized branch, so choose strong branches for your cutting.

No, but you need to use well-ventilated soil like vermiculite, perlite, or a blend.

YES! Choose a branch that is flowering but remove the flower and lower leaves, leaving a few upper leaves. Mist the leaves occasionally and leave it in the shade.

Use cuttings. Most vines root readily. Take a cutting about 8 inches long, and leave this in water. When it roots, transplant it to soil.

If your cutting is a plant that can grow in water (ivys, for example), you do not have to worry about overwatering.

Commercial root growing hormones can be obtained from most nurseries. These provide an excellent booster for your cuttings.

It would depend, but in general you should try to grow the cuttings whenever the plant would usually be grown. For example, if you wanted to grow cuttings of a plant that primarily grows in early springtime, that is when I would plan to grow the cuttings.

Most types of rhododendrons grow well from cuttings. It's best to take the cutting in the fall.

Yes - just cut a three inch piece off, remove the lower leaves, and put it in water till roots form.

Growth on the top of the cutting will inhibit growth in the roots. Cutting them would be appropriate until the roots start to form.

Wear garden gloves that fit well and full length sleeved clothing. Then cut the roses into a basket resting on your wrist, so that it falls right in, gently but without having to touch it.

Yes, you can take stem cuttings from Croton plants. And yes, you should remove 2/3 of all leaves on the Croton cutting.

The end that was closest to the actual plant itself. That's why you should cut the bottom at a 30-degree angle so you can keep the cutting's orientation.

Yes, you can create a new tree out of a cutting. However, with magnolia trees, it could take up to 7 years for flowers to bloom.

Yes, but you will have to do additional research about what type of environment and light is best for a geranium. When you do plant them, be sure to use a root starting hormone to improve your growth.

Yes, poinsettias will grow from stem cuttings. However, if there is a patent on that particular plant, taking a cutting may be illegal.

Yes, you can grow them with cuttings. I just cut them and planted them in half soil (well draining soil), half compost. Be sure to keep the soil moist but not too wet.

I have had success putting a seed in a wet (but not dripping) paper towel and folding it over to keep both sides damp. Put it in a ziplock bag and blow your breath into the bag, filling it with your expelled air. Put the bag in an area that's out of the sun or cold. (Generally 68-82 degrees is good.) Do not open the bag for at least 2-3 weeks. In about 3 weeks, gently open the bag and the (hopefully) still damp towel to see if it has produced a rooted seed. If so, plant the seed carefully in potting soil about 1/8-1/4 inch deep. Dampen the soil and keep it damp in a bright, warm area. Your seedling should grow well after that. (You may also want to dry the seed prior to beginning this process.)

Look for new tender shoots near the bottom of the plant that have not yet budded or flowered.

Yes. In fact, in my experience, cuttings bloom faster and produce bigger flowers than seeds.

Often, the best performing growth-hormones are bought from nurseries, but several homemade and household rooting hormones can be used, such as honey. Honey contains several agents and hormones that may promote root-growth. Dip the cutting in honey as you would with rooting hormone. Keep in mind that the rooting process will be slower and have a lower chance of success. Also, some plants will not necessarily need rooting hormones to root, including most succulents and figs.

Allow more time. Some hardwood shrub type cuttings may take two months to grow in warm climates. Watch for leaf buds, little miniature leaves, or other fresh growth. If nothing happens after two months, start over.

Yes. The rose you grow from the cutting will look like the rose you cut it from.

Yes, you can grow carnations without rooting hormone, but it might not work as well.