Advice
RHS Help & Advice
Softwood cuttings of woody plants
Softwood cuttings can be used to propagate a wide range of mainly deciduous shrubs and some trees in early spring. Material is taken from the soft and flexible tips and isreadily capable of rooting. Soft material loses moisture rapidly so care needs to be taken to prevent wilting.
Most cuttings are nodal, cut just below the leaf joint or node where there is a concentration of hormones to stimulate root production.Cuttings from young plants root more easily; heavy pruning older plants can stimulate new growth that will root quicker.
Collect material early in the day when full of water (turgid).
Remove up to 10cm (4in) of shoot, cutting neatly above a bud on the parent plant. Place cutting material in a clean plastic bag with a label.
Store the bag of material in the fridge if cuttings are not prepared immediately.
Using a sharp knife trim below a node to alength of 5-10cm (2-4in). Remove the lower leaves and dip in hormone rooting powder or liquid.
Some hard to root plants such as Rhododendron respond to wounding by removing a thin slice of bark near the base of the stem. Others, such as Sambucus, can be taken with a heel, part of the wood from the previous season.
Insert in containers of cuttings compost, label and water. Place under a mist unit or in a closed propagating case with bottom heat. Covering with a plastic bag and placing somewhere warm will suffice if no other equipment is available.
Cuttings should be placed somewhere in good light but not direct, scorching sunlight. Covering with fleece will help diffuse bright sunlight.
Remove dying or diseased material regularly. Once rooted harden off and pot on individually.
Greenwood cuttings
Similar to softwood cuttings but the base of the stem is firmer and they are taken later in the spring through to mid-summer. Prepare as softwood cuttings but generally longer from 7.5-12.5cm (3-5in).