Hedera (ivy) is a lush and lush plant that can add a green impression to your yard or area around your home. If you are interested in growing hedera in or in your yard, growing it by cuttings is a simple process that can save you money because you don't have to buy new plants. Start by collecting cuttings, then plant with soil or water. Keep the cuttings in a warm area that gets indirect sunlight and transfer them to pots after a few months. With a little effort and time, you'll have a new bushy hedera plant without the need to buy it.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Preparing Cuttings
Step 1. Take hedera plant cuttings when the weather is not too hot or a bit cold
This weather is the right time to grow new plants, as well as suitable for planting hedera by cuttings method. Also, the slightly cooler weather around March to June is ideal for starting cuttings. Make sure you finish the cutting process before it gets really cold.
- Taking cuttings at this time will have your new plant ready to move around September to December if planted outdoors.
- This is a great time to take cuttings from a variety of vines, such as passion flower, clematis, and celastrus.
Step 2. Look for the young and fresh parts of the mature plant
Hedera cuttings should be taken from plant parts that grew in the same year. You can identify new growth by observing areas that appear fresh and light green in color. This area is different from other parts of the hedera which is dark green and thick trunked.
- Cuttings of this type are referred to as semi-ripe stem cuttings. These cuttings are taken from the new growing part of the plant, not the old part.
- Do not pick up plant parts that are damaged or have an odd growth pattern.
Step 3. Look for stems with 3 to 4 internodes for best results
Hold the stem with 1 hand over one of the segments. Mark a dot above the internode or leaf set so that the leaves in that area remain on the stem of the plant after you cut them.
Step 4. Use clean garden shears to cut the stems of the plant at least 15 cm long
The use of clean shears can reduce the risk of exposure to disease or pests on collected cuttings. To sterilize pruning shears, rub rubbing alcohol on the shears. After that, cut the stems of the plant straight with garden shears.
Step 5. Wrap the cuttings with a damp towel and place them in a plastic bag
Wet a kitchen paper or cloth and wrap it around the stem end of the cutting. Place the cuttings and a towel in a plastic bag to keep them moist.
- This is especially important if you need to wait an hour or more to start planting cuttings in the ground.
- If you can, take plant cuttings in the morning. Hedera contains a lot of fluid at this time so that the cuttings are kept moist.
Method 2 of 4: Planting Root Cuttings in Soil
Step 1. Choose a pot large enough to fit all the cuttings
If you are preparing 6 or less cuttings, a standard 20 cm pot will suffice. If you are preparing more than 6 cuttings, use a larger pot or prepare several pots.
- You can plant the cuttings in any type of pot, such as terracotta, plastic, and ceramic pots. However, whatever the choice, the pot must have drainage holes at the bottom.
- Planting multiple cuttings in one pot will reduce the space required for each cutting as well as reduce the number of pots that need to be watered. Since cuttings only need to be moved to another pot when they are rooted, temporarily these plants can be grown together in one pot.
Step 2. Fill the pot with soil, then pour water
Choose potting soil or soil made specifically for propagation that usually contains large amounts of perlite and sand. Fill each pot with soil until there is only 1.3 cm of space left from the lip. After that, place the pot under a faucet or place it outdoors and water it until it drains from the drainage holes at the bottom.
The position of the soil that is not higher than the lip of the pot allows you to irrigate the plant without flooding the surrounding area
Step 3. Make holes in the soil with a distance of about 5 cm from the lip of the pot
Use the tip of the eraser on the pencil to make a hole 8 cm deep. This allows you to insert the cuttings into the soil without disturbing the root shoots at the ends of the cuttings.
- Make as many holes as the cuttings planted.
- You can also use skewers, dowels, or other small pointed object to make holes.
Step 4. Prune 1.3 cm from the tip of the cutting one more time
After that, trim the leaves that are about 8 cm from the tip of the cutting. This will result in a clean, fresh cutting tip for inserting into the soil.
- This is especially important if the cuttings used have been stored for more than an hour because the tips may have dried out.
- Use garden shears or a clean knife to trim the ends of the cuttings.
Step 5. Dip the cut ends of the cuttings in rooting hormone
Unpack the rooting hormone and take the prepared cuttings. Dip 2.5 to 5 cm ends of cuttings into it. Lift the cuttings up to touch the lips of the package, then gently tap to remove excess liquid.
You can buy rooting hormone in powder or liquid form. This product is available at many garden supply stores and online stores
Step 6. Place the cuttings in each hole in the ground and secure
Insert the tip of the cutting into each hole. Position the tip that has been moistened with rooting hormone at the bottom so that it touches the ground. Hold the cutting in an upright position with one hand, then pat the soil around it to secure the stem of the cutting in place.
- When inserting stem cuttings, try to keep the position in the middle so that the rooting hormone does not fall too much. However, if the liquid sticks a little at the top of the hole, that's fine.
- If the cuttings are too long or do not hold firmly to the ground even after compacting, you may need to support them with dowels or other objects. The base of the cuttings should not sway during the root growth process.
Step 7. Water the pot one more time until the water drains from the drainage at the bottom of the pot
Place the pot under the faucet or use a planter to moisten the soil. Water the soil slowly until there is water running from the bottom of the pot. This indicates that all parts of the soil are moist.
Be careful when watering the pot so that the cuttings are not disturbed. Keep the water flowing away from the base of the cutting so that it does not change its position in the soil
Method 3 of 4: Growing Root Cuttings in Water
Step 1. Cut the stem slightly below the lowest root segment
Stem segments look like bumps on the stem of the plant that are overgrown with young stems and leaves. Use a clean knife or sharp scissors to cut the stems straight. Cut an area that is about 0.6 cm below the internode.
If there are leaves around the internodes, remove them or cut them clean
Step 2. Place the cuttings in a clean cup of room temperature water
Make sure that the water covers the base of the stem internodes and that no leaves are submerged under the surface of the water. Discard some of the water in the cup when it reaches the stem of the cutting.
Step 3. Change the water every 3 to 5 days and rinse the roots
Discard the old water and replace it with new, room temperature water every 3 to 5 days. While doing so, rinse the roots with room temperature water. You can also gently rub the roots with your fingers while rinsing to remove the thin film that has formed on the surface of the roots.
Make sure none of the leaves are submerged in the water. If there is, immediately remove the leaf
Step 4. Transfer the cuttings to the ground once the roots have grown 12.5 cm long
Watch for growing roots and transfer the cuttings to a pot with soil once the roots reach a length of 12.5 cm. Check the root length by removing the hedera stem from the water and measuring the root length with a ruler. Measure the area from the base of the stem to the tip of the root.
Method 4 of 4: Caring for Rooted Cuttings
Step 1. Place the pot or cup in a bright, warm location, either indoors or outdoors
The pot or cup should be kept out of direct sunlight, but not in a cold or dark place. If the pot is placed indoors, place it near a window that is well lit, but does not shine directly on the pot. If you keep it outdoors, place the pot in a greenhouse or propagator, or cover the pot with a plastic bag and place it in a bright, warm place out of direct sunlight.
- You will need to check the moisture level of the cuttings regularly. So, place the cuttings in an easily accessible place.
- Consider placing the cuttings in an area you pass frequently so you don't forget to treat. This place could be in a room you use every day or near a door you pass frequently.
Step 2. Keep the soil in the pot with the cuttings moist at all times
Sprinkle water on the soil in the pot when it looks dry. The time it takes for the soil to dry depends on the humidity level and temperature of the location of the soil.
- Usually, a sprayer is suitable for maintaining soil moisture in pots placed outdoors, while a plant sprinkler is suitable for pots in the house.
- Be careful not to spray too much water. For example, don't let water pool in the pot.
Step 3. Remove discolored or dead cuttings from the soil or water
In most cases, some of the cuttings may die. If any cuttings turn yellow, curl, or wilt, remove them from the pot. Removing dead or diseased cuttings from pots or cups will help healthy cuttings thrive.
If you don't know if the cuttings are dead or dry, it's best to remove them just in case. It's better to have a few healthy plants than a lot of diseased plants
Step 4. Transfer the cuttings to pots once new stems have sprouted or wait a few months
Vines such as hedera usually take root after 1 to 2 months if properly cared for. When you're ready to move them to a new pot, plant the cuttings like a new plant. Be careful when removing the roots and provide nutrient-rich soil for the plant to thrive.
- If you are growing your cuttings outdoors, you can plant young hederas in the ground or in a pot. Just remember, potted plants should be watered more often as they dry out faster than plants grown in soil.
- Allow new plants to grow for at least a month before transplanting them into pots.
