One method of propagation is layering, which refers to a plant or vine taking root at the point of contact between the plant and the soil. Layering is a great way to propagate climbing roses, flowering vines and just about anything that has branches long enough to reach the ground. Instructions: - Use a sharp knife to open a wound in the root (figure A).
- Apply root hormone to the wound to speed up the rooting process. Rooting hormone acts with the plant's own natural rooting regulators to aid root formation.
- Peg the root to the soil -- coat hanger wire works well -- to ensure the wounded area is in direct contact with the soil (figure B).
- Cover the area with a layer of compost. In hot climates, be sure to use extra compost to keep the area moist.
- Plants can be severed from the mother plant as soon as rooting occurs, usually within three months.
Another method of propagation is grafting. Grafting is a common way of growing plants that are in limited supply. It is also used to solve problems with varieties that have weak roots or to create unique plant forms. Expert tip (Robert Smaus, garden writer): Grafting and budding are both ways of speeding up the growing process. Instructions: - Identify the two species of plants to be grafted together. Some plant species cannot be grafted together. Contact a professional to determine species that make successful grafts.
- With a sharp knife, make an incision at the base of the trunk of the plant or tree whose stem you're grafting onto. The incision should be in the shape of a "T" and should only be deep enough to cut the cambium layer and not harm the inner wood of the stalk (figure C).
- Peel back the cambium layer just enough to insert the cutting of the top graft . The top graft is the plant that has the desired foliage.
- Insert the desired top graft into the T-shaped incision.
- Tightly wrap the graft with stretchable plastic for support (figure D). The incision, like a wound, requires time to heal; the plastic wrap should remain in tact until the healing process is complete.
- To encourage growth of the desired foliage, regularly prune the foliage of the undesirable top growth. Doing this will prompt growth from the grafted or desired foliage.
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