How to propagate Bleeding Heart Vine by cuttings? Illustrated tutorial on stem cutting techniques

The Bleeding Heart Vine (Clerodendrum thomsoniae) originates from tropical Africa and can be divided into white-calyx and red-calyx varieties. The flowers are extremely beautiful, with striking color contrasts, and the flower shape is as unique as a dragon spitting a pearl, making it a premium potted flowering plant.

The Bleeding Heart Vine has deep green leaves, jade-like calyxes, and crimson corollas, full of poetic charm. When the Bleeding Heart Vine blooms, the long flower core extends from the open red flowers, like the agile tongue of a giant dragon. It represents preciousness and purity, inner warmth, and carries auspicious meaning. That pure love, as passionate as summer flowers, brings auspicious blessings and makes the mood beautiful as well.

Propagation of potted Bleeding Heart Vine is mainly done by cuttings; stem cuttings, bud cuttings, and root cuttings can all take root. Below, stem cuttings are used as an example for an illustrated explanation.

For stem cuttings, you can choose the tender tip of a healthy, disease-free branch, or cut the older lower branch into 8-10cm stem segments as cuttings, and insert them into a plain sand pot at a depth of 3-4cm. After inserting, water thoroughly and place in a lightly shaded, high-humidity area, keep the pot soil moist, maintain the temperature at 20°C-25°C, and roots will form in about 3 weeks.

The specific steps are as follows:

1. Select the already lignified part of a Bleeding Heart Vine branch and cut it at an angle. The cut portion must have two branching points, with four leaves in total, and the cut should be slightly close to the branching point.

2. Remove the two leaves at the lower branching point.

3. Cut each of the two upper leaves in half from the middle; halving the leaves can reduce water evaporation.

4. Insert the branch into the soil at a slight angle, allowing the soil to cover the lower branching point, which is beneficial for growth.

5. Several branches can be inserted at the same time. Inserting multiple branches increases the success rate.

6. After completion, place the pot next to a trellis to provide climbing space.

Key points for cuttings:

First, select healthy one-year-old branches and cut them into 8-10cm cuttings. The cut should be smooth. Each cutting should retain 2-3 buds at the upper end. Then insert the cutting halfway into a sand bed, keep the bed moist, and pay attention to shading. Roots will form in about 1 month, after which it can be potted and transplanted. Afterward, apply diluted liquid fertilizer once every 15-20 days. During the growth period, also pay attention to pruning the plant and pinching the tips to promote branch growth.

For potted Bleeding Heart Vine, repotting must be done every year in early spring. The new growing medium can be prepared with 4 parts leaf mold, 4 parts garden soil, and 2 parts sand. Because the Bleeding Heart Vine originates from the tropics, it should be given sufficient light during the growth period, but attention should be paid to shading during the hot summer season, and watering should be reasonable.

In addition, bud cuttings and root cuttings can also be done:

Bud cuttings: Take lateral buds from the branches, along with a portion of the xylem, as cuttings.

Root cuttings: When repotting, cut the root-like stolons below the soil into 8-10cm segments as cuttings.