header home
contact
guestbook
faith gardening graphics learning disabilities rings for the home personal stuff site map
 

Click here to return to the Herb Index.

TAKING HERB CUTTINGS

1st step pictureFirst : Clip a three to five inch sprig of strong new growth from the top of the plant just below a leaf. Strip the stem of it's bottom leaves leaving one to two inches of bare stem and three to five inch leaves.

2nd step pictureThen: Dip the stem end in water and then in a powdered rooting hormone, which aids in the development of roots. Make sure that the powder sticks to the stem.

3rd step pictureThird: Prepare a soil mixture of perlite, vermiculite and peat moss, or clean sand. Wet the mixture and place it in a growing flat, container or jar. Place each cutting up to it's leaves in the mixture. Space cuttings approximately 2 inches apart.

4th step pictureFourth: Place the flat in a war spot - with light but not in direct sunlight - or on a safety-approved plant warmer. Loosely cover the flat with a plastic tent in which holes have been punched to retain humidity yet let air circulate. Keep moist.

5th step pictureFifth: Fill interim four inch plastic or clay containers with moist, commercial potting soil. Once roots form on cuttings, usually within six weeks, transfer cuttings to interim containers.

6th step pictureLast: Harden off rooted cuttings for two weeks to acclimate them to the outdoor climate. When new leaves appear, transplant herbs to selected garden location.

Back to top