|  COUNT ON CUTTINGS
To get a jump on spring, take cuttings of your favorite plants now! Some good choices:
Coleus, Lantana, Geraniums, Heliotrope, Fuchia, Begonia and of course ivy.
Here's How:
Pick a Container:
Cuttings need high humidity and reduced air circulation. A tank-type terrarium or aquarium makes a perfect propagation box. We have also had good results with the larger, take-out food containers that have a clear lid.
Choose a medium: Two that we use, mix 1/2 sand and 1/2 Peat Moss, or 1/2 Perlite and 1/2 Vermiculite. Water sparingly when using the second, as these materials hold many times their weight in water. You want to avoid overwatering as the rootings could rot.
Find good Lighting: Place your box so it is out of the midday sun. A north or west facing window that has indirect light is best.
Take your Cuttings: Take cuttings only from mature, healthy plants. Cut on a cloudy day or early in the morning. VCuttings should be 4-6 inches long and should have mature stems. Tips should be soft and tender, while the bottom should be hardy and strong--almost woody. If you take soft, immature cuttings, they are likely to decay. As your take your cuttings, loosely pack them in wet paper towels and put them in a plastic bag. Keep the bag out of the sun.
Once inside, use a sharp knife to cut each stem about 1/2 inch below a node or joint (the point where a leaf originates). Make a clean, smooth cut so it heals quickly. You can dip the bottom of each cutting into a rooting hormone before inserting it into the medium.
Insert each cutting into the medium gently to prevent the cut end from being injured. Be sure to insert it no deeper than necessary to hold it upright. The plant will need oxygen, both for healing and for forming roots, so it's best to have the end close to the soil surface.
Use the eraser end of a pencil or a small dibble to press the medium firmly around the cutting, but not against the stem. "Water in" the cuttings by gently flooding the box to make the sand adhere around the stems.
Trim the leaves: Trim the leaves of Coleus, Geraniums and other plants that have large, soft leaves. Trim to about half their original size to reduce their evaporation area. Be sure to keep these succulent cuttings on the dry side - slight wilting is less harmful to these plants than excess dampness.
BE PATIENT!: Allow three to five weeks for rooting to take place (some varieties may take a little longer). Increase light exposure as soon as the cuttings become strong and sturdy. Don't remove cuttings from the medium until they are well-rooted.
Once the cuttings are rooted, put them in small containers, e.g. 2"x2" pots. Use a light, porous soil mix (we recommend our Texas Hydro Blast). Once potbound you can move the young plants into larger pots to await setting out in spring.
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