Wednesday, 26 September 2012

WK2 - Practical - Softwood Cuttings


First practical session - propagating by use of softwood cuttings. 
  • Mix a potting compost of peat anVermiculite
  • Fill pot/cell trays with the compost mix (compost should be fairly firm in the pots/cells). 
  • Look for young stems with no flower buds on, ideally. 
  • Remove lower leaves. 
  • Using a sharp knife cut beneath the node (where the lower leaves were removed) - try to avoid squashing the stem with the knife as you slice it. 
  • Use a dibber to create a well just deep enough for the stem, the stem should touch the bottom of the well. 
  • Firm up the soil around the stem. 
  • WATER THROUGHLY. For propagation at home cover with a plastic bag or plastic bottle and keep in shaded and warm place.



Further research:
What are the pros and cons of using peat/what are the environmental/ecological effects?


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