Use Plant Propagation Techniques To Enlarge Your House Plant Collection

Using plant propagation methods will help you quickly extend your house plant selection. If you adore house plants, you realize that you can always find room for one more. Yes, you will have masses of spider plants and pothos, but you need to use these techniques for propagating the more dear and difficult to find tropical plants like Bird of Paradise and Clivia.

African violets are easy to propagate and are always convenient to have available to swap with other gardeners for plants you will desire but don't have the budget for. If you love cooking, who could not use just one more basil or parsley plant? Check the listing below for ways of propagating your house plants.

Types of Plant Propagation:

Seeds

The first thing that comes to mind is growing plants from seed. Plant the seeds in a moist compost mix of your choosing. Implement the instructions on the seed packet to gauge sowing depth. A number of these small seeds will need a light covering with planting mix while some of the others are only sowed on top. Place them in a heated propagator or cover with a clear plastic bag. Install in a windowsill or under lights and your seedlings will appear quickly. Uncover the sprouts after they have come to the surface. When the seeds have a set of 2 leaves, they are going to be prepared to be thinned and transplanted.

Cuttings

Propagating house plants from cuttings is simply accomplished. Cut a non-flowering stem 3-6 inches long. Remove leaves from the lower half and dip into rooting powder. Place cutting in soil, firm the soil around it, and water well. Cover with a plastic bag supported by a wire ring. Place in indirect light and you'll have a new plant in a short time.

Stem Layering

If a plant is a trailing plant like an ivy, stem layering is the way to go. Prepare a pot with soil, or clear a spot in the pot your plant is presently growing in. Use a long stem that will reach the pinning area. Scrape the base of the stem and pin it to the soil with a chunk of wire or twist tie. Once the roots form, you can cut it from the mother plant and you've a duplicate without much effort.

Division

The quickest and most straightforward way to propagate a plant is by division. Remove the plant from the pot. Carefully separate the roots. Eliminate the old woody center and any damaged roots and repot the divided plants.

Air Layering

Plants that have grown out of bounds or become leggy and ungainly can be re-shaped and new plants can be spread by air layering the ends of the shoots. In air layering, rather than cutting off the stem, it is notched and left on the stem. This is a bit more tricky and lengthy but definitely worth the effort if the plant is pricey to replace or a well loved plant. For more information on air layering watch this video.

When you become acquainted with plant propagation, you’ll no longer back away from pricy plants. You are going to be able to easily copy them and have lots to swap in order to expand your collection.

For detailed info on growing plants from seed and other plant propagation techniques, check out Container Gardening Guide.com