Choose the wrong kind of branch for cuttings and even 100 pots will struggle to survive

Choose suitable flower branches for cuttings

Taking cuttings is not just about snipping off any random piece of a flower branch. As long as we choose the branches well, the cuttings will root faster and the young plants will be stronger

1. Choose 1-year-old, robust branches

Take roses as an example. It is best to cut green, bud-rich branches; do not use old, lignified branches; do not use thin, weak young shoots

It is best not to use ones that look spotted, as they may be diseased and carry a high risk for cuttings

2. The length should be 8-15 cm, with 2-3 buds

There is no special requirement for the length of the cut branch. Some flowers are relatively small, such as geraniums, moss rose, and so on, and can be cut at 6 cm; roses, bougainvillea, and similar plants can be longer, with at least 2 buds or more

Cutting medium and depth

1. Use sandy, breathable soil

For cuttings, it is best to use sandy soil, perlite, and cinder soil. These soils retain moisture well and are breathable, which helps the branches respire

2. It is best to use a transparent plastic cup

For beginners taking cuttings, it is best to use a transparent plastic cup, as this makes it easier to observe whether there is too much water, whether rot has occurred, and whether roots have formed

Do not move the inserted branch around, and do not pull it out to look out of curiosity. Use a small transparent cup for cuttings, and you will be able to see once roots grow!

3. The depth of the cutting

The depth of the cutting is 2-5 cm, depending on the flower variety. Do not insert it too deep, as it easily rots. The lowest bud on the branch should not be inserted into the soil; it should remain above the soil surface

Care after taking cuttings

1. Environment and light

After taking cuttings, do not expose the branches to strong sun. In summer, place them in a shady spot; in spring and autumn, they can receive morning and evening light, but avoid direct sun at noon

After about 12-15 days, once rooting is stable, give them some appropriate sunlight, or place them in a bright spot at home

2. Watering

Either moisten the soil before taking cuttings, just slightly damp, or water thoroughly immediately after inserting them. Keep the soil moist at ordinary times. Never water too much, otherwise the roots will be soaked and rot

A few common questions about cuttings

1. False life in cuttings

Some branches begin to sprout and grow leaves not long after being cut. Do not celebrate too early; this is very likely false life. That is, the original nutrients are all supplied to the buds, and the roots fail

How to judge: if the old leaves on the branch wither first and then the buds appear, then it is fine; if the old leaves are still doing well and the buds have also grown, then nine times out of ten it is false life

What to do about false life: do not touch it at all. If you want to try to save it, remove the new buds, preserve the nutrients, and see whether it can grow roots again; otherwise, leave it to fate and keep waiting until it uses up all its energy

2. Repotting after cuttings have rooted

Generally, after cuttings root, the young plants will continuously grow some leaves. After they grow 3-5 leaves, they will stop growing. This is a normal phenomenon of storing roots, so do not touch it. After this process lasts half a month, then consider repotting

When repotting, be careful to keep the soil with them and do not remove the soil from the roots. This not only protects the new roots, but also allows them to adapt to the pot as quickly as possible after repotting

After repotting, water thoroughly and place them indoors away from direct sunlight. After about 2-3 days, they can receive morning and evening sunlight, and after half a month they can be cared for normally

These little tips about cuttings

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