I really wasn't sure what to title this.... Many of my hoyas are relatively small, single plants, not a lot branching or anything as most were started from single cuttings. In order to maximize growth is it wise as the plant grows to take cuttings and add them to the pot as they root? And does that often encourage branching and growth?
I had a single cutting of cv Iris Marie that was failing miserably and I cut it up into several pieces, re-rooted it and it's grown like a weed ever since, but is that the norm?
I think similar questions have been addressed before, but thought it might be nice to revisit this since it is getting to be the time of year where we're all wanting to trade and buy new cuttings!
Also, for cuttings how old should the growth be?
Cuttings and Plant Growth
Whether to pinch back or cut up cuttings is so personal...I pinch my big plants back when I can remember... Sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn't and it might depend on the age of the wood you are growing on.
The idea wood for cuttings is the hardened off new growth... between the new growth and the woody parts. I find woody parts difficult sometimes....
Carol
Thank you, Carol!
The woodier a cutting is the harder it is to root.
Kelly, what Carol is saying is kind of a gardener's rule:
semi-green for rooting.
It isn't that soft, fresh green like newer growth, but way
before it turns woody.
Hardened green growth.
Thank you, Alison!
Have another question after reading something mentioned in another thread - should hoya cuttings be hardened off before rooting or when receiving cuttings through the mail should a fresh cut be made before rooting?
I know epi's are suppose to be hardened off and although I've rooted quite a few hoyas I've not necessarily been consistent with how I do it.
Kelly
If I notice a plant is doing nothing but taking up space...I snip a teeny piece of the node, enough to make to sap ooze or at least expose the green.
In about a week I notice new growth from that node. I have no technical reason for that working but it seems to?
Woody cuttings root without fail in Hydroponics as opposed to mine rotting the conventional way.
Also I soak the cutting in a liquid rooting compund prior to putting into either system.
Joni
Great idea on pinching the node, Joni...will have to try that!