I have a Thunbergia battiscombei that did very well for me last year. I tried to root some cuttings in the fall as I believe it's not winter-hardy in this area. I couldn't get any to root so I just put the planter in the back of the garage and hoped for the best. I kept it in a mostly dry dormant state along with the brugs, and let it die back completely. Well, I put the planter back outside a couple of weeks ago and started watering it - now I have about six nice sprouts coming up so it looks like the thunbergia survived the torture test! I would like to propagate this plant so I have one for "backup" and more for trading. Is it possible to root T. battiscombei, and if so, how? Also, I'd like to try to divide it now while the sprouts are still small. The plant has four sprouts in a group and another two off to the side by a few inches - I'd like to try dividing it with a sharp knife to separate the smaller part of the plant. Would that work or do I risk killing the entire plant?
Question about Thunbergia battiscombei
Tom, hope someone can answer your question. I'd also like to know.
I've successfully propagated it by putting cuttings in a jar with two or three inches of perlite in it and an inch or so of water. Make sure the cuttings are all the way down into the perlite/water. Then cover the cuttings with a clear plastic bag to keep the moisture in. It takes a while, but it will work.
Thank you, Brugie! When I tried to root cuttings before, I used a potting soil/perlite mix, like I do for other cuttings, and did not use a plastic bag. I will follow your advice this summer and I bet it will work!
Does anyone know whether it's safe to divide the plant? My intution is that it will work, but I just want to be sure.
I never tried to divide one, but always thought it should work.