How to increase the survival rate of cuttings for nursery stock and flowers

The mother plants from which cuttings are taken must be of good quality, grow vigorously and be free of pests and diseases. On the same plant, choose current-year shoots from the middle and upper parts facing the sun, with shorter internodes, thick and strong stems and leaves, and plump buds. Do not use shoots that are about to flower or leggy shoots. On the same shoot, for hardwood cuttings choose the middle and lower portions, while for chrysanthemums and similar plants use the tender tip portion.

Choose a cutting medium

This medium should have characteristics such as being easy to warm the soil, retaining water and allowing aeration.

Treat the cuttings

Treating with chemicals before cutting has the effect of promoting rooting. Softwood cuttings are generally cut into sections 8 cm - 12 cm long, bearing 2 - 3 buds, and the cut at the lower part of the cutting should be 0.5 cm below a node. The cut should be smooth; remove the lower leaves and keep only the top 2 - 3 leaves. A insertion depth of 3 cm is generally suitable.

Create a rooting environment

The suitable temperature for most flowers to root is 20°C - 25°C; flowers native to the tropics require 25°C - 30°C or above, and generally a soil temperature 3°C - 5°C higher than the air temperature is favorable for rooting. An air relative humidity of 80% - 90% in the cutting bed is favorable for rooting. Softwood cuttings require about 30% light. Moisture should be moderate - slightly higher in the early stage of cutting and slightly drier later. Therefore, in North China and other places, the suitable period for softwood cuttings in the open field is from mid-to-late June to mid-August; this period coincides with the rainy season in North China, which can better satisfy the temperature and humidity conditions needed for cuttings to root and is favorable for the survival rate of cuttings.