As summer reaches its peak, gardeners everywhere are eager to make the most of their blooming plants.
With gardens in full swing, this is the time to enjoy the vibrant colours and lush growth that summer brings.
However, for those looking to extend the beauty of their gardens beyond the current season, now is also the perfect time to focus on propagation.
Renowned gardening expert Monty Don has highlighted a crucial task that can help gardeners achieve just that.
Monty Don has revealed that taking semi-ripe cuttings from current season’s wood that has begun to harden off is essential for ensuring that garden blooms continue to flourish.
By following his expert advice, gardeners can propagate their favourite plants and ensure a steady supply of healthy, vibrant growth.
Don said on his blog: “Always choose healthy, strong, straight growth, free from any flowers or flower buds.
“Once you have taken material from the plant and placed it in a polythene bag, go and pot them up immediately.”
This step is crucial to ensure that the cuttings have the best chance of developing roots quickly and effectively.
To prepare the cuttings, gardeners should strip off all lower leaves and side shoots, leaving only an inch or less of foliage.
Using a sharp knife or secateurs, the bare stem should be cut to size and buried in a container filled with very gritty or sandy compost, or even pure perlite.
Don stressed the importance of proper rooting conditions.
He said: “To form good roots the plant does not need any nutrition other than oxygen and water, so whatever material you put the plant into must be loose, drain well, and not dry out.
“Once the roots are formed and you see signs of growth, then it will start to need better nutrition and need potting into better compost.”
The cuttings should be placed in a warm, light spot, avoiding full sun or south-facing windowsills to prevent scorching.
Regular watering and daily misting with a hand sprayer will help keep the cuttings moist and prevent the leaves from drying out before new roots form.
“Most cuttings taken at this time of year will take between 4 and 6 weeks to produce viable roots,” Don added.
“You know that the roots have formed when you see fresh new growth or, when lifting the pot, see thin roots appearing from the bottom of the pot.”
Once the roots are established, the cuttings can be removed from the pot and individually potted into fresh peat-free potting compost.
These should be set aside over winter and then planted out in the spring.
Don also advised gardeners to take cuttings in the morning when plants are full of moisture, although he acknowledged that in practice, it’s best to take cuttings whenever the opportunity arises.
