There are many ways to propagate your plants including by cuttings, layering, division, separation, grafting, budding, and micropropagation to make more plants for free.

Clayton is studying with the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society in the Grow and Learn Course. They focus on 2 main areas of propagation: division and cuttings (softwood, hardwood, & semi-ripe).

Propagation During Autumn and Winter Months

There are lots of plants you can propagate using division and cuttings throughout the year, but during the autumn and winter seasons the wood changes from soft to hardwood when the fresh growth (softwood) has started to retreat back into itself for the winter (hardwood).

Last year we propagated hardwood cuttings from:
Blackberries
Cherry Laurel
Honeysuckle
Lavender
Rosemary

Propagation by Cutting

These hardwood cuttings all require the same method, and we can illustrate the method using Cherry Laurel cuttings.

Step 1: Cut Below First Node
Make sure your tools are clean before doing this. Rubbing alcohol or hand sanitiser works well.

Step 2: Keep 3 Leaves and Cut Down
Remove all the extra leaves down the stem, leaving just 3 at the top. Cut the leaves in half, this gives more space in the tub and allows more air flow between them.

Step 3: Slice a Little to Open the Stem
Scrap a section 1-2” at the bottom of the stem to open up to make rooting easier.

Step 4: Dip in Water
We use a rooting powder, dipping the cutting in water first helps it stick so it does not rot in the soil and helps it root.

Step 5: Dip in the Rooting Powder and Plant
And repeat until you have all the cuttings that you need.

Step 6: Water In

Step 7: Pop on Lid and Let Them Root
Remove the lid to get rid of any condensation and water when needed. We only did this once a week and left the lid off after a few months to allow airflow.

TIP: to know if the cuttings have rooted and are ready to pot on, give them a GENTLE wiggle or pull upwards, if you are met with some resistance then the roots are there, if not it will just slide straight up. 

Propagation in Water

You can also propagate just in water too, like we have done with our redcurrants. 

These are redcurrants that had been snapped off by deer and were on the floor. We popped them in water and changed the water every few days. After 4 weeks they looked like this and were put into soil to weather, before going outside again. 

Is this something you would try? Or already do?

Katrina and Clayton Gelderbloem live with their family in East Ayrshire and share their daily life in the garden on Instagram. They practise permaculture principles in the garden, reducing and repurposing waste whenever they can.

Clayton is 15, autistic, non-verbal, and has been home-educated for the last 5 years. Katrina believes home-educating in nature has helped Clayton thrive. He completed the ‘Grow and Learn’ Course with the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society last year, and this year has started the Level 2 ‘Nurture Course’.

You can keep up with Katrina and Clayton on Instagram, Facebook, and on their website.