What is plant cutting?
Plant cutting is a method used to propagate plants. In this method, a part of the mother plant is separated to develop roots. Some plants grow faster with cuttings, but others require rooting hormones and specific conditions for propagation. The conditions depend on timing, plant age, environment such as temperature, humidity, and medium, which are discussed in this section of SelMagz.SelMagzAboutOptimal Time for Taking CuttingsWe provide explanations on this.
Various Cutting Methods
Cuttings can be prepared in four ways:
- Stem cuttings
- Root cuttings
- Leaf cuttings
- Leaf bud cuttings
1. Stem cuttings
One common method is stem cuttings, which are classified into four groups based on wood maturity and care:
1. Softwood (green wood) cuttings
This type of cutting is taken from young, soft spring shoots of deciduous or evergreen plants with less carbohydrate content. Fruit trees are not propagated this way. These cuttings root in 2-5 weeks but need more care.
2. Semi-hardwood (semi-woody) cuttings
Semi-hardwood cuttings are taken from coniferous evergreens. Summer leaf-bearing cuttings from semi-mature branches of deciduous plants are also considered semi-hardwood. They are 10-15 cm long, with lower leaves removed and a few young leaves left at the top.
3. Herbaceous cuttings
Cuttings made from herbaceous, often ornamental plants.
4. Hardwood (woody) cuttings
Hardwood cuttings are taken from mature, hard wood of deciduous plants in late fall or winter. These are made from one-year-old wood. There are three types: simple, heel, and saddle cuttings. The simple type uses one-year-old wood; heel cuttings include a small piece of two-year-old wood at the base; saddle cuttings have a longer section of two-year-old wood with the one-year-old stem.
2. Root cuttings
Some plants can be propagated via root cuttings, especially those capable of producing adventitious shoots on roots. The best time for root cuttings is late fall or early spring, when rooting has not yet begun.
3. Leaf cuttings
Leaf cuttings can propagate plants that have the potential to produce adventitious shoots and roots from leaves. In this method, leaves with petioles and blades are placed in moist soil and humid air.
4. Leaf bud cuttings
Instead of leaf cuttings, leaf bud cuttings can be used. When roots form but no new shoots develop, it’s better to use leaf bud cuttings because the lateral bud at the base of the petiole produces a new shoot.
Best Time for Taking Cuttings
March – Early Spring
In March, much work is to be done. You can still consider dormancy periods and layer planting. If you have seeds you are satisfied with, wait until your plant reaches the desired height before grafting. So, do not rush in March.
May – Mid-Spring
Now you can perform all layering techniques. All seeds are ready for planting. You can also gather seeds and sow them this month. You should make cuts in the soft parts of plants towards the end of May, unless you live in the northern region.
June – End of Spring, Early Summer
In this month, take cuttings from plants that have shed their leaves. Try to do this early in June. If you think grafting or cuttings won’t go well this month, delay until later months. Make sure humidity is adequate. June might be a bit early for this.
July – Early Summer
Continue cutting plants that have lost their leaves. It’s also time to work on the soft or evergreen parts of plants. From mid to late July, you can gradually start planting for buds, and it is a good time for planting trees like redbud, apple, cherry, and other flowering plants.
August – Mid to Late SummerNow, start pruning green and soft parts of plants. During this time, many deciduous plants will have less woody growth. If your plant has enough humidity, you can also perform cutting on woody and firmer parts to strengthen root development.September – Late Summer, Early Autumn
Now, care for seeds or collect them. Making cuts in green parts can help root strength if humidity is sufficient. If not, use sand to water the plants.
October – Late Autumn
Make cuts on hard, stiff, or green parts of plants in this month, either in sand or by warming the lower part of the plant.
November – Late Autumn
December – Early Winter
You can make cuts on stiff, green parts of plants in warm conditions from below or in a sandy substrate. Cutting can be done while the soil is still unfrozen.
End of January – Late Winter
Similarly to January, you can perform cuttings now, in mid or late month.
March to End of Winter, Early Spring
It’s slightly late for cuttings, but you can still propagate plants that have lost their leaves. As the ice thaws and temperatures rise—usually in early spring—you can perform cuttings and layering. If your plant needs pruning, do it now before new growth begins. Even if flowers might be lost, trimming will keep your plant attractive. Any grafting or cutting should be done before dormancy.
When is the best time to take cuttings?
Softwood cuttings are taken from new, soft spring shoots of deciduous and evergreen plants. Broadleaf evergreens are usually propagated from current-year shoots in summer, while semi-mature wood from deciduous plants is taken during dormancy in late fall or winter. The best time for root cuttings is late fall or early spring before rooting begins. Therefore, the optimal time depends on the type of cutting; environmental conditions also matter.
Tips on selecting and caring for cuttings
Select healthy, disease-free stem cuttings.
To speed up root development in non-water-based cuttings, place a plastic bag over the cuttings.
Increasing temperature at the bottom of the cutting encourages rooting, known as “bottom heating system”.
Rooting is more likely if cuttings are taken from near the root zone of the parent plant.
Don’t take cuttings during flowering to increase success rates.
You can use auxin hormones to promote rooting, but cytokinin and gibberellin hormones may have negative effects.
After roots have formed, transplant the cutting into a new pot once it can tolerate soil conditions.
How long does it take for cuttings to develop roots?
Plant stems are green and flexible in spring, and softwood cuttings can root in a few weeks. In autumn, stems harden, and cuttings from woody parts root slower, sometimes taking several months to a year.
Softwood cuttings
Different Cutting Methods
Types of Cuttings
Propagation Methods
Best Timing for Propagation
