Propagate Hibiscus
Propagating hibiscus refers to the process of cloning hibiscus flowers. The process is the same for both tropical and hardy varieties, and with a little bit of know-how, this is a gardening endeavor you can take on yourself. Follow these steps as you learn how to propagate hibiscus.
Steps
- Propagate hibiscus from cuttings by taking the cutting from softwood (an immature branch).
- Cut a sprig that is 4 to 6 inches (10.16 to 15.24 cm) long just below the last leaf node.
- Remove everything except the top leaves.
- Wet the bottom end of the cutting with liquid rooting hormone.
- Prepare a one gallon pot with potting soil that is well draining.
- Water the potting soil thoroughly.
- Poke your finger into the potting soil and place the bottom of the cutting in.
- Push the moistened potting soil around the cutting.
- Find a spot in your yard that is partially shaded.
- Plant the hibiscus in the partial shade and make sure that the potting soil stays damp until the plant has rooted.
- Wait 8 weeks for the hibiscus cuttings to be thoroughly rooted and then transfer the plant to a bigger pot.
- Propagate hibiscus from seeds by making a small nick in the seeds with a utility knife, or sanding them lightly with a bit of sandpaper.
- Soak the seeds in water overnight.
- Prepare a pot of potting soil and use a toothpick or the tip of a pen to create a shallow hole.
- Place the seed in the hole and sprinkle a small amount of potting soil over it.
- Water the seeds just enough to keep them damp until seedlings appear.
- Take hardwood cuttings by choosing a branch that is at least as thick as a pencil.
- Use a sharp knife and cut at about a 45 degree angle.
- Remove all of the leaves from the cutting.
- Trim the sample to about 5 to 6 inches (12.5-15 cm).
- Prepare a propagating tube, or a 6 inch (15cm) community pot, with coarse potting soil.
- Make a hole that is about 1 to 1 1/2 inches (2.5 to 3.7 cm) deep.
- Place the cutting into the pot and push the soil around it.
- Put the pots in a place where they will be protected from the wind and cold.
- Water the cuttings minimally until they take root.
Tips
- Hardwood cuttings are best taken in the winter, when it is time to prune the plants anyway.
- Spring or summer is the best time to find softwood. You will be able to recognize it from the greenish color, and it will be pliable.
- Hibiscus seeds should only be planted twice as deep as they are wide.
- Nicking or sanding hibiscus seeds will improve germination by assuring that the seeds will get enough moisture.
- Hibiscus plants propagated from seeds should take anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks to sprout.
- To transplant hardwood cuttings without damaging the roots, soak them in a bucket of water before they are repotted.
- Tropical hibiscus that is grown from seeds will not usually have all of the same characteristics of the parent plant.
- Since weak or malformed branches will produce inferior clones, the best flowers will result from healthy hardwood cuttings.
- It is better to cut the leaves away from hardwood samples, as pulling them off may tear the cutting.
- Sprinkling soil over the seeds is a preferred method over pushing the soil in around them, since this may cause the seeds to be planted too deeply.
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