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Windowsill Propogation

Most common houseplants are easy to propagate by simple methods resulting in easy to achieve results at home on a windowsill in a basic propagating Unit. The basic principles are the same for any propagating. Propagation normally involves the removal of part of the plant i.e. the stem, leaf or root and encouraging the cutting to form the missing parts of the plant. For example a stem cutting will be encouraged to form new roots creating a new plant. The key to propagation is to keep the cuttings alive and well whilst they re grows the missing parts. In the case of a stem cuttings they needs water to survive whilst the roots form, to achieve this you need to make sure that the compost is kept moist and has a good contact around the base of the cuttings. Insure the cutting are placed in a humid environment such as kitchen shelf. The humidity will stop the cutting drying out and reduce the cuttings need for water. In addition to water the cutting will need a constant temperature around18-19c to encourage cell division to create new plant parts, However if you do not have a glasshouse or propagating unit to produce the ideal temperatures a good place to start is in your house. It is important to remember that on a windowsill the temperature can soar during sunny periods of the day stopping new growth so pick your positions carefully. The conditions you create will dictate how long the new plant starts to form. Propagating ivy is very simple because it has the ability to root from the areas on the stem between the leaf joints, normally most plants produce roots at or near the nodes (the area were the leaf joints the stem). But in the cause of ivy it is happy to produce new roots between these areas (internodal). Ivy also has a waxy leaf surface which helps prevent water loss during rooting. If you have never propagated plants before ivy is the ideal plant to start with as you are more than likely to succeed There are many cuttings you can still take late in the summer/Autumn when growth is slowing and stems are becoming firm. Take cuttings from main stems or use strong, leafy non-flowering side shoots from the main stems. Remove the tips if soft; otherwise leave intact. Length of cuttings can vary from 10-15cm (4-6in) depending on the vigour of the plant being propagated. Remove leaves from the lower 5cm (2in) and dip the base in a hormone rooting preparation. Then insert about 2.5cm (1in) deep in well-drained pots in a clear polythene bag or in a covered propagating case. Place pots or case in a cool greenhouse and shade from bright sunlight. 1. Take semi-ripe cuttings in late summer from strong, leafy, but ideally non-flowering sideshoots between 5-15cm (2-6in) long. 2. Trim below a leaf joint (node), and cut off the foliage from the lower half. Apply a hormone rooting formulation to the base. 3. Insert cuttings up to the lowest leaf in individual or larger pots containing a proprietory cuttings compost and water well. 4. Cover with a clear polythene bag or put in a propagator. New top growth indicates rooting; at this point pot up plants individually. In 10 to 12 days you can produce new geranium plants from stem cuttings that are easy to take and will produce great results. At the end summer this is a great method for over wintering you geraniums and producing more plants for the following summer. Mother in laws tongue This plant has been a favourite since the Victorians first started to show an interest in houseplants. The leaf and the stem have combined to form a sword like plant structure that is the main characterises of plants. Mother in laws tongue became popular because it is very easy to propagate and stood up well to the fumes present in most Victorian houses from the gas lighting. Propagation is simple you simply cut the plant stems into sections and place them in a pot and water. With mother in laws tongue the roots grow from the sections of the stem that form the cutting with new stems grow from the base. The Christmas Cactus is another houseplant in which the stem and leaves have formed together to create a very distinctive effect. The ideal time to take cuttings from Christmas cactus and place them in your propagator is after they have flowered in the late winter The plant is stimulated by short day length’s to form flower buds as it is important to keep the cuttings in full sunlight so they concentrate on rooting. Ideally the best propagator will allow the user to grow a large number of plant varieties on just one unit. The heated base should contain a 13 Watt carbon fibre element for even heat distribution.

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1972