Plant propagation

There are many ways to obtain healthy plants for next to nothing. By propagating your own plants you not only save money but can introduce genetic variation by starting new plants from seed. If you are looking to replicate a natural ecosystem or create a biodiverse and healthy garden you are going to need a lot of plants. Many species can be cloned by taking cuttings or by layering.

Plant propagation

Plant propagation

Details   There are many ways to obtain healthy plants for next to nothing. By propagating your own plants you not only save money but can introduce genetic variation by starting new plants from seed.

If you are looking to replicate a natural ecosystem or create a biodiverse and healthy garden you are going to need a lot of plants. Many species can be cloned by taking cuttings or by layering.

 Related

Layering

This is the process of creating new plants by encouraging roots to grow on part of an existing plant. This is often done by pinning a branch to the ground or by wrapping a stem with a growing medium to stimulate root growth. Once roots have been formed the new plant can be cut off the parent and planted. This approach works well for plants that can't be started by a simple cutting.
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Summer plant propagation

Date   February 14, 2017
Details   The most suitable types for summer propagation are softwood and semi-hardwood cuttings.
  • Mulberry (Morus spp.) – Softwood cuttings root well in early summer.
  • Fig (Ficus carica) – Softwood cuttings with rooting hormone can establish quickly.
  • Pomegranate (Punica granatum) – Best propagated from semi-hardwood cuttings in mid to late summer.
  • Feijoa (Acca sellowiana) – Semi-hardwood cuttings taken in late summer root well.
  • Gooseberries & Currants (Ribes spp.) – Red, black, and white currants propagate well from softwood cuttings in summer.
  • Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) – Softwood cuttings in early summer or semi-hardwood cuttings later in the season.
  • Blackberry & Raspberry (Rubus spp.) – Tip layering and softwood cuttings work well.
  • Grapevine (Vitis vinifera) – Softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings in summer with high humidity.
  • Passionfruit (Passiflora edulis) – Best propagated from semi-hardwood cuttings with bottom heat.
  • Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) – Softwood cuttings in early summer root easily.
  • Lavender (Lavandula spp.) – Semi-hardwood cuttings in mid-summer.
  • Oregano (Origanum vulgare) – Softwood cuttings grow well with high humidity.
  • Thyme (Thymus spp.) – Softwood cuttings root well in warm conditions.
  • Guava (Psidium guajava) – Semi-hardwood cuttings with rooting hormone.
  • Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) – Stem cuttings (setts) can be planted directly.
  • Lemon & Lime (Citrus spp.) – Semi-hardwood cuttings with misting and bottom heat.
Tips for Successful Propagation in Summer
  • Take cuttings early in the morning when plants are most hydrated.
  • Use rooting hormone to improve success rates.
  • Keep cuttings in a humid environment (plastic cover or misting).
  • Avoid direct sunlight; bright indirect light is best.
  • Ensure the growing medium is moist but well-draining (e.g., sand and perlite mix).
Available     January   December   February  
Tags     propagation  summer 
Event type   Plant
Spring grafting season for fruit and nut trees August - October

Spring grafting season for fruit and nut trees August - October

Wood is cut and graded in June for dispatch in July – August. On receipt, scion wood will need to be stored refrigerated until the appropriate local grafting time.

Length: 150 – 170mm with 3 - 4 buds

Diameter: 5 – 12mm


Grafting is the process of adding part of a known, desirable tree onto existing, growing roots of a similar species. This process offers many benefits such as having many types of apple on a single tree or influencing the characteristics of the tree such as size, soil requirements and disease resistance.
  May   June   July   August   September   October  
  graft  fruit  trees 
Scion / bud wood for graftingAll about Fruit Tree Grafting

Division

Plant division usually relates to those types of plants that grow significant root masses such as bulbs and tubers. Making new plants this way basically involves splitting up the root s and planting them separately.
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How to take cuttings

How to take cuttings

Growing new plants can be as simple as cutting a small piece off the original plant and poking it in the ground.

In many cases however more care is required and it helps to take the appropriate age wood at the correct time of the year and then provide the suitable conditions to ensure it grows its own roots.
  propagation 
How

Winter plant propagation from cuttings

June 30, 2015
Late winter (August–September) is ideal for hardwood cuttings of deciduous plants.
This method works well for many woody shrubs, vines, and trees that have woody, mature stems, dormant or slowed metabolic activity and the ability to root easily without active foliage.
  • Choose healthy, dormant, non-flowering stems.
  • Plant in moist, well-draining medium.
  • Place cuttings in a sheltered, bright area with indirect light.
  • Keep the medium moist, and check for roots after 6–8 weeks.
  August   September  
  activity  winter  propagation 
Plant
Plant List

Spring plant propagation

By Cutting
  • Feijoa
  • Kakabeak soft semi
  • Fig
  • Fuchsia
  • Gaultheria
  • Oregano
  • Rosemary
  • Soapwart
  • Artemisia absinthium / wormwood
  • Myrtus ugni
By Division
  • Red hot poker
  • Horse radish
  November   September   October  
  propagation  spring 
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Autumn plant propagation

Date   April 15, 2017
Details   From Cuttings:
  • Blackcurrants (Ribes nigrum) – Hardwood cuttings root easily in moist soil.
  • Redcurrants (Ribes rubrum) – Similar to blackcurrants, easy to propagate in autumn.
  • Gooseberries (Ribes uva-crispa) – Hardwood cuttings take well in cool conditions.
  • Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) – Grows well from hardwood cuttings.
  • Blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) – Semi-hardwood cuttings can be taken in late autumn.
  • Raspberries (Rubus idaeus) – Can be propagated from root or cane cuttings.
  • Figs (Ficus carica) – Hardwood cuttings root well when planted in well-draining soil.
  • Mulberries (Morus spp.) – Hardwood cuttings from dormant wood work best.
  • Pomegranates (Punica granatum) – Take cuttings from mature wood for best results.
  • Olives (Olea europaea) – Semi-hardwood cuttings can root in autumn in mild climates.
  • Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) – Semi-hardwood cuttings root well in autumn.
  • Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) – Best propagated from cuttings before frost arrives.
  • Lavender (Lavandula spp.) – Can be propagated from semi-hardwood cuttings.
By Division:
  • Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) – Spreads easily, divide to control growth.
  • Mint (Mentha spp.) – Extremely vigorous; division helps manage spreading.
  • Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) – Clumps can be split into smaller bunches.
  • Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) – Root cuttings or divisions work well.
  • Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) – Clumps can be divided to encourage more flowering plants.
  • Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum) – Large crowns can be divided for new plants.
  • Strawberries (Fragaria spp.) – Runners can be transplanted, or clumps divided.
  • Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) – Tubers can be dug up and replanted.
  • Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) – Mature crowns can be split to establish new beds.
  • Sorrel (Rumex acetosa) – Easy to divide and replant.
  • Good King Henry (Blitum bonus-henricus) – A perennial green that benefits from division.
  • Daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.) – Edible flowers and shoots, can be divided every few years.
  • Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum) – Can be split and spread around food forest edges.
  • Strawberry Clover (Trifolium fragiferum) – Great nitrogen fixer, divides well in autumn.
  • Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris) – Young fiddleheads are edible; spreads by rhizomes.
Available     March   April   May  
Tags     activity  plants  propagation  autumn 
Event type   Plant