Echinacea Stem Cuttings

I just wanted to show everyone my stem cutting of an Echinacea plant that is developing roots after less than a week. I slit the stem in the middle and make two prongs. I guess about 1/2 inch is enough. I then put the rooting gel inside the two prongs and pressed them back together. If you don't do the slit in the stem, you won't get roots quick enough before the cutting dies.

This cutting was placed in an EZ-Clone machine and lighted 24/7. These roots just sprouted overnight. I saw the small bumps forming, but the roots are really coming quick!

I just had to share this because I have been trying to root stem cuttings of these and finally got it to work!

Here's a picture showing how large the cutting is. This is the first time I tried a stem this large. I'm going to try the same thing with a smaller cutting tonight.

Wow, that is really success!

Great info. do you mind if I share with a thread I am running?
Dave

Do you think maybe rudbeckia would respond the same way???

I think Rudbeckia would work too. They are similar but it might be more difficult. You can share the info. I have been told by so many people that you can't root cuttings of these plants. I want everyone to know you can if you don't take no for an answer! I've been experimenting for 2-3 years with Echinacea propagation. I just knew if they could root these in tissue culture that there had to be another way to do the same thing.

You are so right about never giving up. I always tell everyone to try it as the only thing you are out is time and a bit of rooting hormone. I wonder if that might work on astilby. Another person is asking how to root it. I do a lot of seeds as well as cuttings. I have abot 500 cells of cuttings and about the same in seeds.
Are you doing any trades?
Dave

I did trade seeds this spring. I've never traded plants. I might next spring. I get a lot of enjoyment out of propagating!

I take 1-2 cuttings of every new plant I buy in case the plant dies. Lol.

Please let me know if I have anything you might want. I have been building my stock up. Between the seeds I buy and plants I get it does keep me busy.
I love propagation and do as much as I can I do get carried away. I just hope it all works out and not end up with an overgrown weed patch...lol
Dave

Here's an updated photo of my stem cutting. I think it's ready to be planted now. LOL.

I would say yes it is time to plant.

A big 'congratulations' on your successful rooting experiment! Were you able to duplicate it with the smaller stem?

When you mentioned your rooting hormone, you referred to root gel. I want to try a gel rather than the powder that I currently use. It seems like a gel would adhere to a cutting much better than the powder. Is there one you recommend?

Mary

I use RooTech cloning gel and Clonex gel. Both are good. I also buy solutions of IBA and NAA when I want something stronger.

Echinaceas are very prone to rotting so I now add a fungicide to the water. It is called Physan 20.

My small cutting worked. I'll post a pic later tonight.

Here's a picture of an Echinacea "Firebird" cutting. I cut the bloom stalk off and rooted it. It's rooting very nicely!

Great info...I like dip-n-gro as my rooting hormone. I know some plants require their own specifics so I think I would stick to your gel on the echi's
Dave

Thank you for the update and for the additional information on the rooting gels.

The little stem cutting looks fantasic. Your stick to'itness has paid off big time!

Mary

Thanks, Mary!

I took a cutting of Echinacea "Coral Reef" yesterday. If this one works, that will be 3 different plants in a row that rooted. I never thought I would get them to root. Everyone told me they can't be rooted this way! LOL.

echinaceamaniac,

I saw on another thread that you had purchased a plant of Asclepias Variegata red ring Milkweed. Since it is so difficult to find seed or plants of this variety, have you tried your method of propagation with a stem cutting from this plant?

Wouldn't it be wonderful if this plant could be propagated by stem cuttings?

Mary

That asclepias plant died down in July. It never bloomed or anything. It's not a very strong grower here. I'm hoping it'll come back from the roots next year, but I don't expect much. I was very disappointed in it. It could just be the location I planted it in, but I will wait for them to sell seeds of it next time.

well, fiddle, how I'd love to know if your clever method of propagation would work with this plant. We'll just have to try and get a plant growing and then give it a try.

Mary

Mary:
do you have the plant you want to propagte? if so why not try the method yourself? I try anything an everything. I like to read everyones attempts so I know what has een tried so I can skip the unsuccsessfull methods.
Just a thought
Dave

Dave,

I do have one little plant that I recently transplanted from a commercial land development but it's only put up one tiny stem since I transplanted it (this is the only green stem on it right now). I'm going to leave it alone as it appears this is a difficult plant to keep alive. I want to give it a good chance to settle in. As soon as I have confidence the plant is strong, I will take a cutting and try this method of propagation.


Mary

Mary - If my plant comes back next year, I'll try a cutting too. I am going to keep looking for seeds of it as well. I keep getting conflicting info about it's requirements. Some say it can tolerate sun but then I also read it likes a shady location in the woods.

Clint

Hi, enjoyed reading this thread, and i'm wondering if you had luck with the 3rd echinacia you tried?
Pls let me know, thanks

I love this thread.

Such good ideas:-)

I have a girlfriend that I am sure will not mind letting me have a cutting or two and I am excited to try growing some.

I have been looking on seed sites looking for the seed for Echinacea plants. Are they hard to grow from seed? I thought they would be like the purple cone flowers self sowing several new babies.Am I way off?


Thanks

Amos

Have you tried to do the same thing with rooting powder?

WOW! I am glad I found this thread. For me this is earth-shaking news...well, maybe I'm exaggerating a little. But, really I think you have made garden history. All the books will have to be revised now:-)
Thanks for sticking to it. I love coneflowers.

echinaceamaniac
Did you propagate that third echinacea plant
enquiring minds want to know, lol

Pauletta

Pauletta,

The Coral Reef didn't work. It's not 100% but it is possible to do this.

Rooting Powder doesn't work with these. I've tried it and it has never worked. The only way I've ever rooted stem cuttings is in a bubbler or EZ-Clone with gels and liquids.