A cutting is a plant for free – if it takes!
I’m not very careful when I take cuttings. I tend to stick them in a mixture of compost and perlite and hope for the best. If they require a more sophisticated approach then they are likely to fail.
So…… it is really, really satisfying when I see this.
Abutilon
It was a cutting taken last summer on the Greek island of Paxos. It isn’t hardy here so I’ll have to keep it in a pot. I know it’s better to remove the flower to improve root development but I thought I’d enjoy it for a few more days.
Abutilon
9 comments
I like to take home plant friends from my travels too. Abutilons are wonderful in pots on the patio – like to put them up a bit so I can see their pretty little faces.
Barbara: I’m hoping it survives. The problem will be overwintering it when it gets bigger!
I am hoping to find the time to learn more about propagation, I don’t know how to do anything from cuttings. I like your method, though. :) Seems a bit less daunting than boning up on all the right times, soil requirements, etc. Cute Greek friend you brought back there!
Beautiful!
:)
I usually put the cuttings in water for some days and wait until I can see some small roots
CityGarden: I did try that method many years ago. Perhaps I should try to experiment with it again.
Will abutilon flowers ever face the sky?… bangchik
Bangchik: No, I’m afraid we have to bend down and look upwards instead (lol)
I normally place cuttings in water overnight, leave only two or three leaves (cut them in half if too big) and insert them in a cutting mix (I’m sure your nursery should be selling it), spray water in mist form and cover the entire pot with a plastic cover so the cuttings remain moist. This month I have planted about 15 varieties of cuttings – geranium was the quickest to root. Happy gardening!
Gururaj: You sound more organised than me – I will give your method a try!
I know it my head it’s right to cut the flower off, but it’s so hard to do in practice. Congratulations on a successful propagation effort. I must learn how to do this.
Megan: I must make an effort to learn more too then I wouldn’t lose so many cuttings.
You must be delighted. I would not have the heart to behead it either :)
Anna: As usual I’ll delay and delay….!
And especially reassuring when one remembers times when it was almost certain that it wasn’t going to work . . . then it did!
Lucy
PICTURES JUST PICTURES
Lucy: Perhaps there is an upside to being slapdash!
Really awesome post. Really..
Leave a Comment