Start your stem-cuttings strong for the new year

Propagating plants from stem-cuttings is a popular technique, as it produces new plants that are genetically identical to their parent plants and requires less time than starting from seeds.

- Wilson Wong

The seed method also results in plants with genetics and characteristics that differ from their parents.Creating new plants from cuttings is a beginner-friendly activity for all. For children, a stem-cutting is a fun “starter plant” that is more gratifying than tending a pot of soil with unseen seeds. For the elderly, this can create a sense of nostalgia and help them maintain fine motor skills.

Most plants that produce stems can be multiplied this way.

For any stem-cutting to succeed, the ability to produce roots is essential, as roots absorb water and nutrients.

Some plants are difficult to propagate from stem-cuttings, as they either produce no roots or take a long time to do so.

TYPES OF STEMS TO USE

Stem types can be split into two main categories: tip cuttings and internodal cuttings.

Tip cuttings refer to a stem portion consisting of a plant’s new growing point. This part of the stem is green and tender, and wilts easily. Such cuttings are often known as non-woody, soft-stem cuttings.

Tip cuttings will root more easily as they contain more growth hormones. Many herbaceous plants, such as culinary herbs like mint and basil, have high success rates when propagated from tip cuttings.

Internodal cuttings come from a portion of the stem between leaf joints, also known as nodes. Such cuttings can be softwood, semi-hardwood or hardwood, depending on how green or woody they are.

The woodier the stem, the longer it will take to root. Some gardeners use rooting hormones, sold in nurseries, to encourage root development. Plants that can be raised from internodal cuttings include cassava, drumstick tree and mulberry.