‘Now is the winter of our discontent’ according to Shakespeare, but for many gardeners winter can be a very productive time, particularly when it comes to propagating plants from cuttings. After all, who doesn’t love a free plant?
Cloning plants: Who doesn't love a free plant?
Propagating new plants by taking cuttings is known as ‘cloning’ and winter is the perfect time to clone plants that are either dormant or are in a reduced growing state while waiting for spring. This is because cold weather reduces the risk of heat stress and the plants drying out when you are trying to root them.
When you take a hardwood cutting the plant’s natural reaction is to send out new roots and leaves to create a perfect genetic clone and as these cuttings can even be off cuts from your autumn pruning - you don’t waste anything from your garden.
Although cloning sounds like something from a Science Fiction novel (very complex and technical) it is relatively simple to clone plants in the winter. Don’t worry if all your cuttings don’t root the first time you try it, just keep practising and eventually you will have a much-improved success rate!
You will need the following:
- Sharp, clean secateurs
- A planting tray or shallow tub with a lid
- A bag of horticultural vermiculite
- Rooting powder (optional but can help to stimulate the cutting)
- Water, a small stick and something to labels your cuttings
- Patience!
Step One
Firstly, collect the plant cuttings you want to propagate, for example flowering shrubs like hydrangeas, roses and viburnum are great for taking cuttings as are climbers like jasmine and honeysuckle. You can even clone fruiting shrubs like gooseberries and currants for an increased fruit yield next year.
Each cutting should be 20-30 cm in length and should ideally be taken from stems that have grown in the past year – growth older than this tends to be slower to root. Make sure you use sharp, clean secateurs. When you have your cuttings, nip out the bud at the tip of each section to encourage more bushy growth and then leave to one side while you prepare your planting trays.
Step Two
Fill each planting tray with horticultural vermiculite or fill your tray with pots at least 5 cm deep – using individual pots makes cuttings easier to remove later. You could use yoghurt pots or similar – you don’t need drainage holes as you need the vermiculite to retain moisture.
Wet the vermiculite with enough water to make it stick together when you squeeze it and then use your small stick to make a hole every few centimetres if your vermiculite is in a tray or one hole in each of your pots. This is the time you can dip your cuttings into rooting power, if you are going to use it, before carefully placing each cutting into one of the holes.
Step 3
Once your cutting has gone in as deep as it will go without you forcing it, you can gently press the wet vermiculite around it to make sure there is good contact between your cutting and the vermiculite. Make sure you label your cuttings if you are propagating multiple plant species.
Step Four
Cover your tray with a lid or reuse a clear plastic bag and tie shut to make sure the moisture doesn’t escape. Make sure the lid or bag is not touching the leaves of your cuttings and then place your tray somewhere cool, out of direct sunlight and wait. If any cuttings die off, remove to avoid mould or mildew spreading – you shouldn’t need to add any more water unless the cuttings have dried out completely.
In about six to eight weeks your cuttings should start to sprout new leaves and stems and at this stage you can think about planting them out or re-potting if you are not ready to put them into the garden yet. Be careful when removing the cuttings from the vermiculite – never pull at the roots and this will damage your cutting. You can use an old table fork to gently lift the cutting out of its pot before transplanting.
Most new cloned plants should be ready to plant out into the garden in the spring – very satisfying!
If you would like further advice or information about cloning plants, then please get in touch.
