Summer Plant Propagation

Some customers have been asking if there are any plants they can propagate at this time of year…

Well now’s the perfect time to take semi-ripe cuttings from a wide range of shrubs such as Hebes, Rosemary, Lavender, Weigela, Ceanothus and Hydrangeas.

You will need to remove 4-5 inch long cuttings from this year’s growth and pop them in a plastic bag to prevent them drying out.

Next prepare the cuttings by trimming them just below a leaf. Carefully remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting and dip the end in hormone rooting powder or liquid. You can insert the cuttings up to the lower leaf in pots of a gritty, cuttings compost (St Bridget’s No 1 compost is ideal).

Cover the pots with a polythene bag or put them in a propagator before placing them somewhere warm and sheltered (but out of strong, direct sunlight).

The cuttings should be ready to pot-on in a few weeks time. Some plants that are difficult to root – such as Rosemary and Lavender – these are best propagated from heel cuttings. Carefully tear off a side-shoot about 4-5 inches long from the main stem ensuring there’s a small sliver of bark – or heel. You can then treat the cuttings in the same way as the semi-ripe ones.

You will find everything you need for the task in our Exeter garden centre so why not visit us today?

Nearly all our plants are propagated and grown by us – in Exeter, Devon. We guarantee all our plants to be healthy and true to name and type.