I am propagating long stemmed cuttings into my washed recycled milk carton pots
The long stem method, with a rooting hormone (Indole Butyric Acid) to encourage fast root growth produces good results. Honey is also meant to be a way of encouraging root growth (see this comparison experiment by Stanley Barker).
Plants that are very easy to proagate are lavendars, wormwood, buddleia (butterfly bush) and salvia, and I have even put in some cuttings from my grafted olives to see how they go.
More adventerous is my "hedge in a box" - 24 Westringia cuttings.
Salvia
^ Here I have cut off the tops of the milk cartons - neater, and takes a bit less propagating mix!
The propagating mix I have used is just a basic potting mix with no added fertaliser, and no wetting agent.
Many propagating mix recipies on the internet.
Secrets of successful propagation:
- Clean pots
- Take firm young growth from the mother plant, 20cm long
- Remove large leaves, clear length of stem of all growth and dip in rooting hormone
- Use a dibbler (stick) to push a hole into the potting mix, push in the cutting and firm
- Water in well, and keep well watered
- Weed free, and free draining potting meduim
- Handle cuttings out of the sun and keep moist at all times
- Keep in a humid shady position and then harden the plants in a shade house before planting on
^ Use as described on the container!
^ My test olives, lavender, some buddleia (black knight)
^ Wormwood for chook owning friends, native hybiscus
^ Lavendar and Westringia hedge in a box
Mint just from roots of orriginal plant - double box to make wet conditions
Video:
ABC Gardening Australia - Propagating hebs
Links: