Gardening : Other : Heirloom Plants : Home & Garden Television

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

Figure D

Gardening expert Scott Daigre points out that cuttings taken from existing plants can become a living heirloom that you can pass on to your family for generations to come.

Geraniums (figure A) are the easiest plants to start from cuttings.
Cut a stem from the "parent" plant and remove the largest leaves. Cut the stem diagonally with a knife (figure B), dip the cut end in rooting hormone and place it in soil.
A good soil mixture consists of perlite, vermiculite, sand and potting soil (figure C). It's best to wet this mixture thoroughly before placing it in your planting container.
Any container that holds soil and drains water will work for this project (figure D).
An alternative to rooting hormone is willow water. Pussy willow and curly willow contain a hormone that promotes rooting, for example. Simply soak willow stems in water for a couple of days, then add that water to your seedlings or cuttings.
Once the cuttings are situated, fertilize lightly with fish emulsion. Use half the amount stated in the fertilizer directions to get your plants off to a good start.

Figure E

Figure F

After eight to 10 weeks, replant the cuttings in your garden or a larger pot (figure E), or give them as a gift.

Some plants can be started from a single leaf by simply cutting a leaf edge (figure F) and placing the cut edge firmly in soil. This technique works with geraniums creeping Charlie and succulents.

Guests
Scott Daigre
Landscape Designer
Powerplant Garden Design
Phone: 323-363-0844
E-mail: sdaigre@aol.com
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