INDOOR PLANT PROPAGATION
If you have a favorite house plant, now may be a great time to start new plants from it. Once spring comes, many other projects may get first priority.
Propagation Containers
Propagating indoor plants is not as hard as it may seem. Propagation techniques can be very simple or elaborate. A greenhouse is not required to be successful in rooting many indoor plants. To keep it simple, cuttings can be rooted in plastic containers with bottomless milk jugs placed over the top like a small greenhouse (leave the lid off the jug for air movement). Cuttings can also be placed in small flats or trays covered with clear plastic stretched over a wire frame. Trays or containers should have holes in the bottom to allow excess water to drain. The plastic covers keep humidity high in the propagation units and reduce water loss from the cuttings while they are rooting. back to the list
New Plants From Old
Leaf cuttings of African Violets and Begonias root easily in the potting soils available from garden centers. Do not use garden soil for propagation. Some indoor plants will grow small plants around the crown of the plant, crowding the pot and possibly reducing blooms. If this is the case, carefully remove the plant from its pot, separate the smaller plants from the crown and give them their own pots. Then repot the original plant, adding some new potting soil. back to the list
Caring for the New Plants
A partial shady location should be used while rooting cuttings. Shade through the entire afternoon is preferrable. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. You can often improve rooting by misting the cuttings twice a day.back to the list |  |  |  |  |