Cuttings season
Sometimes you try so hard, but your cutting project comes to nothing. It could just be the time of year. The best time to take cuttings is in spring. Then there is enough light and warmth for the cuttings to root properly and get their first growth spurt. Not too cold, not too warm and good light: that is the best basis.
Ways to take cuttings
There are different ways to take cuttings, some cuttings love to root in water and succulents do not. Moreover, with some plants, one leaf is enough and with others you need a larger stem. Always choose a strong, mature plant for cutting, not one that has only just started. It is almost impossible to describe the method of taking cuttings for each houseplant, but we list a few popular plants and facts below:
As a rule, with succulents such as the cactus, aloe vera and sanseviera, you only need a small piece of the plant. Often, cutting off a leaf is enough. Always do this with a clean and sharp knife, so you do not damage the plant too much. Then let the ‘wound’ dry for a day or two on a piece of kitchen paper and place the cutting in or on the potting soil. And then? Have a lot of patience!
Plants that produce their own aerial roots – those long, brown garlands on the plant – such as the monstera, are the easiest to make cuttings from. You cut off a piece of the plant just below the air roots and then put the cutting in water. This is not only decorative, you can also see how the rooting progresses.