subject: Details On Garden Greenhouse Cuttings And Cloning [print this page] Clippings and cloning are some of the more difficult aspects of greenhouse gardening. Taking a sharpened knife to your beloved plants is often a bit overwhelming, but when you get the hang of clipping and cloning to ensure the continued survival of your beloved plant species, youll be on the lookout for cloning opportunities continually.
The greenhouse grower can take great pride and enjoyment in creating a completely new plant through the clipping and cloning procedure. The process is uncomplicated.
Trimming Clippings and Rooting Cuttings in the Greenhouse
1. Cut-off 3-5 inches of the parental plant slightly below a leaf joint by using a sharpened knife.
2. Cut off flowers, sprouts and all except for 3-4 leaves near the top of the cutting.
3. Briefly dip the end portion of the cutting in a solution of one quart distilled water with three droplets of bleach incorporated.
4. Place the last inch of the cutting into rooting powder when still wet, and place into a well prepared three inch deep hole wider when compared to the stem. Potting soil needs to be at the very least 4 inches deep.
5. Carefully pat the soil surrounding the stem, making an attempt not to disrupt the rooting powder.
6. Water well and place in a cool spot of the green house, out of direct sunlight.
7. Place a loose plastic-type material bag or well prepared dome over your clippings to create a moist, humid atmosphere for the fledgling plants.
8. Always keep under lighting around eighteen hours a day for best results.
Techniques for Clipping and Cloning in the Greenhouse
Some ideas for rooting mediums for cloning plants of numerous varieties are sand mixed with garden soil with a little Miracle Grow mixed in for good measure. You can try out your own rooting mediums to find mixes that work well for different plants.
When propagating new plants from clippings, some green house gardeners secure the limbs or stems with tape stretched over the pot with holes cut to support the cuttings. Upside down Styrofoam cups with a gap cut in the bottom also work well until your cuttings take root.
Keep in mind that cloning baby plants takes time. Giving up on cuttings prematurely can be discouraging, so even when you have given up hope, dont throw out those cuttings! Continue to water and take care of them and check for new growth once a week. Numerous plants can take months to show signs of new growth, so dont be discouraged!
