I'm brand new at propagating plants from stem cuttings, but I'm game. Several days ago, I gently stuck some cuttings from my potted Persian Shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus) and Pineapple Coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides 'pineapple') in seed starter soil mix and placed them in a mostly shaded spot (above photo). They got some rain Friday, so I decided today was the time to put baggies over them to keep them moister and warmer.
I brought one inside to see if it fares better or worse than the outside group. If they root and survive, I'll transplant them into pots and bring them inside for the winter. With luck, they'll survive, and I'll put them back outside in the spring. Maybe I'll be daring and even plant some in the ground!
tented cuttings with their parent plants below
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8 comments:
How fun! I'm actually doing the same thing for some coleus that I got this past spring. They won't make it through the winter (hardy in zone 10, I believe), and I don't want to actually dig up the plants. So far it's been good. I started some a month ago, and they've rooted. On the Martha Stewart show this week, they did a segment on starting coleus from cuttings, and funnily enough, they mentioned coleus is one of the easiest to start from cuttings. I've heard the same about persian shield on Gardening by the Yard as well. It makes sense with coleus because you can't trust the seeds to stay true - you have to work from cuttings to maintain a particular color and growth habit. SO! You picked some great plants to start propagating!! Hopefully you won't have to buy new ones in the spring! Huzzah!
NotSoAngryRedHead--Thanks for the vote of confidence and all the info!
They look good. They should do fine and you will have a whole bunch of plants for next year. I just love to get new plants from an existing one but some are easier than others. I have tried growing butterfly bush from a cutting because I read it is easy to do but so far no luck. I am going to keep trying.
Leslie--I'm excited about the possibility of getting a bunch of new plants from one for the first time. And, like you, I'll keep trying if this first experiment doesn't work!
Oh I am so with you on this - although I don't currently have any cuttings rooting. I am all about getting plants without having to pay anybody for them... or, at least not twice....
They look great so far. I keep reading about us having a hard winter (we can NOT catch a break weather wise this year) so I second your plan to take at least one cutting indoors, just in case.
Hi TexasDeb,
I can't believe I waited this long to try cuttings. The indoor and outdoor ones still look okay today, almost a week after I started them, so I'm encouraged.
Those little Persian Shields could make lovely Christmas presents for people who love shiny purple plants! :-)
Great minds think alike, Neleh. Count yourself in the Christmas group. Just keep your fingers crossed they make it!
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