Home > Home and Garden > Gardening > Practical Gardening > Propagation > Growing From Cuttings > Tips for Taking and Propagating Cuttings



Tips for Taking and Propagating Cuttings

  • Only take cuttings from healthy plants.
  • Always use a clean, sharp knife to avoid damaging plant tissue.
  • Stem cuttings should be taken from non-flowering side shoots; these will root more easily than cuttings taken from the main stem.
  • Plant the cutting as soon as possible after taking it.
  • Make sure that all equipment, compost and containers are clean and sterilised to avoid introducing disease.
  • Do not use too much rooting powder as this may damage immature tissue.
  • For added protection, water the cuttings with sterilised water mixed with fungicide.
  • Avoid tugging at the cuttings to check if they have rooted; look out for new growth instead.