My garden is my happy place. Its where I go to “hide” from the world, to be a part of something much bigger than me. To create a space that is special just for me.
One of the joys I find in my happy place is the ability to grow new plants from either seeds or cuttings. This is what propagation is. The dictionary states “the breeding of specimens of a plant or animal by natural processes from the parent.”
My reason to propagate really is the absolute joy i get when I take a cutting place in water or growing medium and create whole new plant. I personally prefer to propagate in water because I love to watch the roots appear.
So is it that simple, well in a lot of cases, yes, it is. However, some plants prefer to be cut at a certain point, just below leaf growth or stems, etc. But let’s keep it simple fellow plant peeps, let’s just focus basic 101 easy steps.
Like I said I love to propagate in water so I keep and collect interesting glass jars and containers so I can keep an eye on progress and watch the roots grow. I always use filtered water never tap water. I always make sure I get the cutting into the water as soon as possible I’m talking a couple of minutes, I rarely have the water container sitting waiting I tend to take the cuttings as my intuition dictates. The cutting itself I usually go with about an 8cm stem. I carefully remove most of the leaves. I leave 2 to 4 small leaves right at the top of the stem. I also make sure there is no flower or bud still on the cutting. Then I place the cutting into the filtered water and watch. Some plants that grow super quick are kalanchoe, beronia, geraniums, dichondra, impatients and ivy. There are many others but these guys grow super easy and will build your confidence.
Propagating in soil. I don’t have different types of potting mixes for different applications. I use one type of good quality. Just a little blurb on potting mix. The cheaper varieties dry out quickly they really are a substandard product. I encourage you to buy the quality, premium varieties as they also contain a slow release fertiliser, quality soil wetting agents, trace elements and zeolites, basic 101 on the last 2 benefits. Just like us plants cells require nutrients and minerals to assist in healthy growth. And zeolites are volcanic rock which improve the structure of the mix providing little air pockets for the tiny roots to grow into. I like to add a couple of handfuls of coco peat. It is a very fine medium which again is great for the little new roots to get into. It also holds the water well. Then I follow the same steps as I do with the water method. Succulents and cacti love this method.
So, which process will you try? Well try both, I encourage you to have a play, see what works for you. And for playful glass containers go to my web page, I have propagation globes for both water and soil. Give them a go, give them as a gift, and have some fun in your happy place.
