Propagating Cape Plumbago
Today we started several Cape Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata) "cuttings". The Mother Plant is a tender perennial with profuse blue flowers which thrives in the hot Texas summer. Disease-, pest- and deer-resistant. Sometimes called "sky flower" because of the sky-blue color of its flowers. A native of South Africa, it loves the heat, doesn't mind our long, humid summers, and is reasonably drought tolerant. Plumbago is quite easy to propagate.
We took cuttings of about 7 inches long from the Mother Plant, cutting them just below a join. We then snipped off all the leaves except for one or two at the top end of the cutting (it is best to cut the leaves off rather than tear them off as this does not damage the stem). We used sharp pruning shears and kitchen scissors when taking the cuttings as it is best to get a nice clean cut rather than a ragged one so as to minimize the chances of fungal rot setting in. It is also best to take semi hardwood cuttings i.e. last years growth.
We put the cuttings in clean water to soak for about 15 minutes. While the cuttings were soaking in the water, we filled a plastic container with sharp river sand. We then dipped the cuttings in some hormone powder (e.g. Dip and Grow etc.) We used stick to make holes for the cuttings to be placed into in the river sand filled container (being careful to put them in the right way up as they will die if upside down). We then firmed the sand around each cutting with our fingers.
We watered the container and straightened any cuttings which may have become dislodged by the water before we placed the container in a shaded area. The cuttings must never be allowed to dry out so we will check that the sand is still moist every day. They should take about 4 to 5 weeks to form roots. We should notice new little leaves coming out. When they look as if they are ready we will check them to see if they have rooted.
We took cuttings of about 7 inches long from the Mother Plant, cutting them just below a join. We then snipped off all the leaves except for one or two at the top end of the cutting (it is best to cut the leaves off rather than tear them off as this does not damage the stem). We used sharp pruning shears and kitchen scissors when taking the cuttings as it is best to get a nice clean cut rather than a ragged one so as to minimize the chances of fungal rot setting in. It is also best to take semi hardwood cuttings i.e. last years growth.
We put the cuttings in clean water to soak for about 15 minutes. While the cuttings were soaking in the water, we filled a plastic container with sharp river sand. We then dipped the cuttings in some hormone powder (e.g. Dip and Grow etc.) We used stick to make holes for the cuttings to be placed into in the river sand filled container (being careful to put them in the right way up as they will die if upside down). We then firmed the sand around each cutting with our fingers.
We watered the container and straightened any cuttings which may have become dislodged by the water before we placed the container in a shaded area. The cuttings must never be allowed to dry out so we will check that the sand is still moist every day. They should take about 4 to 5 weeks to form roots. We should notice new little leaves coming out. When they look as if they are ready we will check them to see if they have rooted.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home