Welcome to The Herb Cottage

Sticking Cuttings

Sticking cuttings isn't difficult. Some plants set roots easily, some do not. For beginners, I recommend the easy ones, that way there is satisfaction, not frustration. Easy plants to root from cuttings are rosemary, basil, mints, most old-fashioned or antique roses, even peppers or tomatoes. Thyme, scented geraniums, sage can be more difficult as these plants are sometimes prone to botrytis fungus which makes them turn black and "melt" away.

First you must prepare a pot or tray to receive the cuttings. If you're going to do just a few of one variety, a large pot will do, and you can place all the cuttings in the same pot. Or, you can place one per 4" pot, or use multi packs left over from nursery purchases. Whichever type of pot you use make sure it is clean. It's a good idea to rinse it in a bleach and water solution to make sure there are no bugs lurking or disease. Use about a 1:10 part solution bleach to water.

The planting medium you use should be light and well draining. Some people like a peat based potting mix that includes perlite and vermiculite. Others like a bark based mix. I find the bark based mixes do not drain well enough for most herbs, so I use a peat based mix. Fill your pots to the brim then water the medium well. Plain water will do, although you can mist the cuttings with any organic fertilizer, seaweed or fish emulsion spray later on. Let the pots drain well and then they are ready to receive your cuttings.

To prepare a cutting, take about 4" off the end of a branch. Include the tip of the branch. And, as with pruning, be sure to cut just above a leaf node so the parent plant can regrow nicely. Take your cutting and strip or clip off any leaves that are growing along the lower half of the stem. Then, make a slanted cut just below the lowest leaf node. Dip the end in rooting hormone (found in any nursery or garden center) and stick the cutting into the prepared pot about half way up the stripped part of the stem. Press the soil gently around the stem to make sure you have good stem to soil contact. Water lightly after all the cuttings are stuck.

Place your pots in a bright, shady spot outdoors or near a bright window indoors, or of course if you have a greenhouse, that's a perfect spot for them. Keep them out of direct sunlight. Now, the trick is to keep the medium and cutting moist without keeping it too wet. For just a few cuttings, you can place a plastic bag or even a clear jar over the cuttings to make a little hot house. That retains moisture well. Just open the covering once or twice a day to let in fresh air. If you don't cover your cuttings you'll have to spray or mist them. Leave a hand sprayer nearby, and every time you pass by, give them a spray. You shouldn't have to water the soil unless you see it's really drying out. Then, do water, and include the cuttings, too.

Don't worry if a few leaves fall off, especially of roses. If the stems are still green and healthy looking, new leaves will eventually grow from the nodes. Be patient. Rooting can take anywhere from 10 days for mints and basil to a month or more for roses and some others. When you see new growth, tug gently on the cutting. If there is resistance, you've got roots. You can also upend the pot and check for roots. When you think there are enough roots to move the plant into a larger container, do so. At this time of year you're going to want to keep your plants in pots until spring planting comes along. Or, pot them up in a decorative pot and give them as gifts or grow an indoor herb garden for your kitchen.