You can easily propagate enough lavender for a hedge or increase your stock of rosemary for the cooking-pot by taking cuttings in August. Just follow our step-by-step guide and you should have plenty of new plants for your own garden, and some to share with friends.
1. Look carefully for fresh shoots that were produced earlier in the summer. Select strongest, healthiest ones that are 6-8cm (22.5-3.25in) long and cut them off.
2. Put the cuttings into a plastic bag straight away to prevent them drying out.3. Prepare the cuttings by trimming just below a set of leaves (known as a node) with a pair of sharp secateurs or knife
.4. Gently strip of the bottom 2.5cm (1in) of foliage by hand.
5.
Dip the bottom 1cm (0.5in) of the cutting in a rooting hormone
powder. Tap lightly to remove the excess.
6. Fill a 9cm (3.5in)
pot with a ready-mixed cuttings compost, firming it down gently.
Then insert the cuttings around the edge and firm back the
compost. Write a clear label to help you remember what the
cuttings are.
7. Water the pot well and allow it to drain. Place in a plastic bag and tie the top loosely with an elastic band. Put in a bright but not sunny position, such as an east-facing window sill or greenhouse bench.
Aftercare
Rooting should
take four to eight weeks. During this time, make sure that
the compost stays moist, but is never sodden, and regularly
open the bag to reduce the chances of fungal infections.
Expert tip
As the saying goes, ‘don’t put all your eggs in one basket’. It is the same with cuttings too. Don’t just take one or two, try half a dozen at least to help ensure success.