Grow Flowering Plants Through Stems
This is a very easy step in how to grow flowering plants using stems. You will produce more plants faster than seeds.
Steps
- Select a healthy, pest and disease free parent plant. The plant could be 1 year old or older.
- Look for a stem that is already mature but still green inside. Scrape off the bark to see if green or not. It should be at least pencil thick.
- Cut off the stem just above a node. If you're making more, cut a long stem. Use sharp scissors or pruners.
- Remove all the leaves, including the tip. Also remove the young shoots growing from the main stem. Do not damage the buds.
- If the stem is long and you want to plant more of them, cut them in sections at least {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} each.
- Using the scissors/pruners, scrape off the bark {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} from the bottom. Scrape the bark until it is completely removed. Keep moist.
- Prepare the planting site. If you want to plant directly, proceed to step 11. But if in pots first, it is much better. Fill your container with soil, pressing it firmly but not too much or it will be waterlogged. Moisten the soil if dry.
- Use a screwdriver to make holes in the pots.
- If desired, dip the scraped part of the cuttings in rooting hormone. This will fasten the rooting of the cuttings. If not, it's just fine.
- Immediately put the bottom of the cuttings into the hole you've made. Press the soil gently and place in a warm position. Water sparingly.
- If planting directly into the plant's original position, dig a hole, deep enough to cover the scraped part of the stem. Then plant the stem.
- Plants in pots are ready to be transplanted if they are at least 1 month old. Make sure they already have shoots.
Tips
- Take cuttings in the afternoon or in the morning.
- Plants include bougainvillea, sampaguita (jasminum sambac) and many more flowering plants.
- The stem cuttings will grow into a plant faster if you dipped it in rooting hormone.
Warnings
- Avoid dipping stems cuttings in liquid rooting hormone too long. Dip cuttings no longer than 3 seconds.
- When taking bougainvillea cuttings, wear safety gloves. Bougainvillea plants have very sharp and pointy thorns and are very painful when it hits your skin.
- Careful in cutting the stems. Scissors and pruners may cut your skin.
Things You'll Need
- Flowering Plant of your choice
- Scissors/ Pruners
- Pots (optional)
- Rooting Hormone (optional)
