Is it too late to take cuttings of plants that are unlikely to survive the winter? Most of the research I’ve done online suggests that I should have got my cuttings act together earlier in the year, but I’m not convinced.
The vibrant black-eyed susan vine (Thunbergia alata)
This eye-catching black-eyed Susan vine (Thunbergia alata) is a low-maintenance rapid-growing climber that has brought a touch of the exotic to my patio this year. Unfortunately, it is not frost hardy, and I don’t have room to bring it indoors over the winter, so I am attempting to propagate it via cuttings this autumn.
Softwood (herbaceous) stem cuttings are usually taken during the main growing season of the plant, in spring or early summer, but there is enough growth in my vine to make me think some autumn cuttings may be successful.
How to take stem cuttings
Black-eyed Susan stem cutting
- Select a section of healthy growth, and cut the stem at an angle 3–6 inches below a leaf node
- Cut off any leaves on the lower half of the stem so that the stem is bare for potting, and trim the cutting down to just a few leaves
- Place the cutting in your potting medium or, as in the case of my black-eyed Susan cuttings, in a glass of water to take root before potting them on
I’m leaving my cuttings in water first to take root, before potting on in compost
I’m hopeful that I’ll have a modicum of success with these, because the Argyranthemum cuttings that I took in November 2 years ago made it through the winter to produce several healthy new plants.
If you’re taking cuttings at the moment, and have any tips for success, please let me know!
I took a cutting of a Coleus plant in early November before it withered and died outside. I placed the stem with half a dozen leaves in a small dark sided vase and it stayed alive all through the winter months.
I’ve taken the plant out of the vase today (13/2) and it has a well developed root system. I’ve put it in a pot with multipurpose compost. Fingers crossed!
Excellent. It’s a great feeling when you manage to propagate your own plants. I’ve managed to keep one cutting from a Montana clematis going over the winter (1 of 6 – the others didn’t take).
Hi. Did you have any joy with this method? I’d rather wait until autumn than take early cuttings. Cheers
Very hit and miss, I’m afraid, which probably means I should take my cuttings earlier. I had a lot of success with autumn cuttings of osteospermums though.