How to Take Cuttings From Flowers
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Flowers like lupins, delphiniums, and chrysanthemums can be easily propagated from cuttings to expand your plant collection. Learn how!
TL;DR
Flowers like lupins, delphiniums, and chrysanthemums can be propagated from cuttings of new shoots. Lift and bring the dormant stools or clumps under glass or cloche in early March to hasten the growth of tender, succulent shoots.
- Cut shoots as close to the base as possible when they are 5-7.5 cm long.
- Remove small leaves near the cut and dip the base of the stem into hormone rooting powder.
- Insert the prepared cuttings into pots or larger containers filled with a mixture of peat and sharp sand or grit.
Some flowers, such as lupins, delphiniums and chrysanthemums, are best propagated from cuttings of new shoots. In early March, lift and bring under glass, or cloche outdoors, the dormant stools or clumps. This hastens the growth of tender, succulent shoots, which make ideal cutting material. You can use unforced growth, but these shoots, unless taken when young, are tough and hollow and do not make pleasing cutting material.
When the shoots are 5-7.5 cm (2-3 in.) long, cut them as close to the base as possible. Using a sharp knife or razor blade, remove the small leaves closest to the cut and dip the base of the stem into hormone rooting powder. Insert the prepared cuttings individually into 7.5 cm (3 in.) pots, or put several around the edge of a larger pot filled with a mixture of peat and sharp sand or grit.
Water and place in a greenhouse or cold frame, or on a sunny window sill. Rooting will be quicker if you enclose the pot in a clear polythene bag. Insert canes or wires into the pot to keep the polythene from resting on the cuttings.
Once roots have formed and new growth has appeared, pot on into containers filled with John Innes No. 2 and harden off in a cold frame before planting out.
Root Cuttings
Sea hollies, dicentra and oriental poppies are propagated by root cuttings taken while the plant is dormant. Clean off any soil clinging to the roots and cut them into 5 cm (2 in.) lengths. The cut closest to the crown should be flat across and the lower one angled. Insert this end vertically into a pot filled with a mixture of peat and sand. Several cuttings can be accommodated in the same pot, as long as they do not touch each other.
Some primulas are propagated by root cuttings, but because the roots are very delicate, they are laid horizontally on the surface of the compost and covered with a layer of sand.
Layering
To increase border carnations, remove the lower leaves from a non-flowering side shoot in summer. Make a slanting cut part of the way through the underneath of the stem, 15-20 cm (6-8 in.) from the growing point. Be careful not to sever the stem entirely. Bend the shoot where it has been partially severed and peg it down into sandy soil or specially prepared compost; you can bury a pot in the soil so the shoot roots directly into the pot. Once the roots have formed, cut the new plant free.
Some flowers, such as lupins, delphiniums and chrysanthemums, are best propagated from cuttings of new shoots.
More Information on How To Take Cuttings From Flowers
Taking cuttings from flowers is a popular method of propagating certain plant species. Lupins, delphiniums, and chrysanthemums, for example, can be propagated from cuttings of new shoots. By lifting and bringing the dormant stools or clumps under glass or cloche in early March, you can encourage the growth of tender and succulent shoots, which are ideal for cutting. When the shoots reach a length of 5-7.5 cm (2-3 in.), cut them as close to the base as possible. It is recommended to remove the small leaves closest to the cut and dip the base of the stem into hormone rooting powder. This helps stimulate root development. After preparing the cuttings, insert them individually into pots or larger containers filled with a mixture of peat and sharp sand or grit. To promote successful rooting, it's important to provide the cuttings with adequate moisture and a suitable environment. Place the pots in a greenhouse, cold frame, or on a sunny windowsill. For quicker rooting, consider enclosing the pot in a clear polythene bag and insert canes or wires to prevent the polythene from resting on the cuttings. Once roots have formed and new growth appears, the cuttings can be potted on into containers filled with appropriate soil mixtures, such as John Innes No. 2. Harden off the plants in a cold frame before transplanting them into the desired location. It's worth noting that different flowers may require specific propagation techniques. Sea hollies, dicentra, and oriental poppies, for instance, are propagated by root cuttings taken while the plant is dormant. Primulas, on the other hand, are propagated by delicate root cuttings that are laid horizontally on the surface of the compost and covered with a layer of sand. By mastering the art of taking cuttings, gardeners can expand their plant collection and enjoy the satisfaction of propagating their favorite flowers.
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About the author
Rupert Foxton-Smythe is a seasoned horticulturist and avid plant enthusiast with over three decades of experience in the field of botany. As a leading expert at Houseplant Guru, Rupert brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep passion for all things green.
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