Using plant propagation strategies will help you simply extend your house plant collection. If you adore house plants, you know that you can always find room for one more. Yes, you'll have lots of spider plants and pothos, but you need to use these methods for propagating the more expensive and hard to find tropical plants like Bird of Paradise and Clivia.
African violets are straightforward to propagate and are always handy to have on hand to swap with other gardeners for plants you will need but don't have the budget for. If you love cooking, who couldn't use just one more basil or parsley plant? Check the listing below for techniques of propagating your house plants.
Kinds of Plant Propagation:
Seeds
The very first thing that comes to mind is growing plants from seed. Plant the seeds in a clammy compost mix of your choice. Implement the instructions on the seed packet to figure out sowing depth. Some of these small seeds will need a light covering with planting mix while some others are only sowed on top. Place them in a heated propagator or cover with a clear plastic carrier bag. Place in a windowsill or under lights and your seedlings will appear swiftly. Uncover the seedlings when they have sprouted. When the seedlings have a collection of 2 leaves, they will be prepared to be thinned and transplanted.
Cuttings
Propagating house plants from cuttings is simply accomplished. Cut a non-flowering stem 3-6 inches long. Remove leaves from the lower half and dip into rooting powder. Place cutting in soil, firm the soil around it, and water well. Cover with a bag supported by a wire hoop. Place in indirect light and you will have a new plant in a short while.
Stem Layering
If a plant is a trailing plant such as an ivy, stem layering is the way to go. Prepare a pot with soil, or clear a spot in the pot your plant is at present growing in. Choose a long stem that may reach the pinning area. Scrape the bottom of the stem and pin it to the soil with a chunk of wire or twist tie. Once the roots form, you can cut it from the ma plant and you have got a duplicate without much effort.
Division
The quickest and best way to propagate a plant is by division. Remove the plant from the pot. Scrupulously separate the roots. Get rid of the old woody center and any damaged roots and repot the divided plants.
Air Layering
Plants that have grown out of bounds or become leggy and ungainly can be re-shaped and new plants can be spread around by air layering the ends of the shoots. In air layering, rather than cutting off the stem, it is nicked and left on the stem. This is a little more difficult and lengthy but definitely worth the effort if the plant is expensive to replace or a well loved plant. For more information on air layering watch this video.
When you become conversant with plant propagation, you'll no longer back away from dear plants. You are going to be able to simply copy them and have lots to swap in order to expand your collection.
African violets are straightforward to propagate and are always handy to have on hand to swap with other gardeners for plants you will need but don't have the budget for. If you love cooking, who couldn't use just one more basil or parsley plant? Check the listing below for techniques of propagating your house plants.
Kinds of Plant Propagation:
Seeds
The very first thing that comes to mind is growing plants from seed. Plant the seeds in a clammy compost mix of your choice. Implement the instructions on the seed packet to figure out sowing depth. Some of these small seeds will need a light covering with planting mix while some others are only sowed on top. Place them in a heated propagator or cover with a clear plastic carrier bag. Place in a windowsill or under lights and your seedlings will appear swiftly. Uncover the seedlings when they have sprouted. When the seedlings have a collection of 2 leaves, they will be prepared to be thinned and transplanted.
Cuttings
Propagating house plants from cuttings is simply accomplished. Cut a non-flowering stem 3-6 inches long. Remove leaves from the lower half and dip into rooting powder. Place cutting in soil, firm the soil around it, and water well. Cover with a bag supported by a wire hoop. Place in indirect light and you will have a new plant in a short while.
Stem Layering
If a plant is a trailing plant such as an ivy, stem layering is the way to go. Prepare a pot with soil, or clear a spot in the pot your plant is at present growing in. Choose a long stem that may reach the pinning area. Scrape the bottom of the stem and pin it to the soil with a chunk of wire or twist tie. Once the roots form, you can cut it from the ma plant and you have got a duplicate without much effort.
Division
The quickest and best way to propagate a plant is by division. Remove the plant from the pot. Scrupulously separate the roots. Get rid of the old woody center and any damaged roots and repot the divided plants.
Air Layering
Plants that have grown out of bounds or become leggy and ungainly can be re-shaped and new plants can be spread around by air layering the ends of the shoots. In air layering, rather than cutting off the stem, it is nicked and left on the stem. This is a little more difficult and lengthy but definitely worth the effort if the plant is expensive to replace or a well loved plant. For more information on air layering watch this video.
When you become conversant with plant propagation, you'll no longer back away from dear plants. You are going to be able to simply copy them and have lots to swap in order to expand your collection.
About the Author:
For detailed info on growing plants from seed and other plant propagation methods, check out Container Gardening Guide.com