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Propagation - Basal Cuttings


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Overview

Some types of plants produce new shoots (basal shoots) at the base of older stems in spring and early summer, e.g. Chrysanthemums thus making them a suitable source of cutting material.

This technique is known as Asexual Propagation, which relates to propagating by vegetative methods (Cuttings)

Tray of stools on the hobed
Circa Week 4 stools producing 'basal' growth
Masses of 'basal growth
Circa Week 10 Basal growth ready for taking cuttings
Close up of a potential cutting material
Close up of 'basal growth'
Close up of potential cutting
Potential Cutting
Preparing to sever cutting
Select Cutting
Using a craft knife to make the cutting
Sever Cutting

If necessary scrape the soil away from the base of the plant, then with a sharp knife, razor blade or scalpel, carefully cut away new shoots approx 75-100mm (3"- 4") long.

Leave shorter shoots to develop for cutting at a later date.

Cutting along side a tape measure
Severed Cutting
Cutting deleafed prior to inserting in compost
De-leafed Cutting
Cutting with roots on
Rooted Cutting

Trim the cutting to just under a leaf node (leaf joint/scar), and remove the lower leaves to expose approx 25-50mm(1"-2") of stem.

If a cutting becomes detached with roots on, leave the roots intact and the cutting will establish itself quicker.

This is known as an Irishman's cutting.

Saucer of Hormone rooting powder
Hormone Rooting Powder
Cutting being dipped in powder
Dip cutting in powder
Dipped cutting
Prepared for rooting

Dip cutting in rooting powder/fluid (optional) then insert the cutting into the compost.

Tray of compost topped with silver sand
Cover the compost with about 6-12 mm (¼"-½") of silver sand
About to insert cutting into compost
Prepare to insert cutting
Inserting cutting into compost
Push the cutting gently into the sand/compost

Fill a tray or pot with sieved compost, do not compact it, just tap it gently on the bench, and soak it thoroughly with water*.

*Alternatively water the cuttings after they have all been inserted into the compost.

Sprinkle about 6-12 mm (¼"-½") of silver sand over the compost.

Cutting inserted into compost
Inserted cutting
A row of inserted cuttings
A row of cuttings
40 cuttings inserted into compost
A trayful of cuttings
Watering tray
Water in Cuttings
View of watered tray
Cuttings Watered
Tray of cuttings on the hotbed
Cuttings on the hotbed

Notice that the silver sand has been washed into the compost, this should ensure that there are no voids around the cutting, and that the whole surface is in contact with the compost!


Place the tray / pot in a warm place, preferably with bottom heat.

A soil temperature of around 16°C (60°F) and a minimum air temperature of 10°C (50°F) is ideal.

Give the cuttings plenty of light, but ensure that they are not scorched by direct sunlight.

Depending upon the heat available cuttings may dehydrate resolve this by spraying them with clean water or a fungicide mixture to re-hydrate them.

Tray covered with transperant cover
Place transparent cover over the tray to increase the humidity around the cuttings.
Sprayed cuttings
Check the cuttings daily to ensure they don't dry out.
Potted up rooted cuttings
Once rooted pot up cuttings into 7cm (3") pots

Alternative method of taking cuttings

Wipe the inside of the transparent cover daily to remove excess condensation.

A sign that the cuttings have rooted is, the growing tip will have turned a fresh green colour.

Pot on into 75 mm (3") pots of potting compost when rooted.

Gradually 'harden off' cuttings until planting out time!

If only a small number of cuttings are required an alternative method is to place several cuttings around the edge of a suitable sized pot,cover it with a plastic bag, held in position with a rubber band.