What Is It You Need To Know About Plant Propagation?

When it comes to plant propagation techniques, this is the place you get to tell me what you want to know. What kinds of things do you need to know to get more of your favorite plants?

Tell me below and I'll do my best to set up a system for you to show you as well as tell you how to propagate most garden plants.

Over to you gang...

(As always - use the comment link to suggest topics for this online gardening seminar)

Comments for
What Is It You Need To Know About Plant Propagation?

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Oreintal poppy
by: Lois, Calgary

I would like to know how to divide my Oriental Poppy.

rootone
by: marguerite

When you said you get the rooting gel at a Christmas Tree Shop....are you speaking about Rootone?

APPRECIATION
by:

Great job Doug! Thanks for being so helpful to so many of us....

WHERE ARE ALL THE ANSWERS TO THESE ???
by: AUDREY

PLEASE**PLEASE ** TELL ME HOW TO PROPAGATE LANDMARK LANTANA,, THANKS.

Doug says that you need to watch the video on taking cuttings

shrub cuttings
by: maude

I planted a shrub rose this year and it looks healthy - though only one tip has produced flowers to date. Can I take a cutting form such a young shrub?

more on rose cuttings.
by: Raag

Doug,
I was able to save my gift of a small plant of Parade roses. I replanted them in 3 new small planters.One of the 3 has got one small rose and rest planters are on the way.
But they look so tender. Only one bud I can see on each of them.
What should I be doing to save them in winter? I read that i could grow them outside in sun too. So I put one of the 3 on my west facing patio. All seem to be growing at the same pace. But the one inside got the flower first. Though it does not look robust.
Will the shoots get more buds?
Will I be able to save all the three planters?Please guide.

When to Replant
by: Teri

I've got stem cuttings growing right now. Do I just keep them in their pots over the winter and plant them outside in the spring? Or can I plant them outside as soon as they root?

Wild Flowers
by: Jerry

I am interested in getting seeds from local wild flowers. How is this done? I am on the Maryland, Virgina and West Virgina border.

Marina
by: Anonymous

Please tell me how to propagate a piece of my indoor hibiscus.

Fuschia Plant
by: Raag

Do you think I can winterize my Fuschia plant for next summer? It is doing so well in a hanging basket. I remember seeing some video that i can save the plant. Please guide.
Thanks

Growing Natives from Seed
by: Sherrie

I've been collecting seed from native prairie plants. How do you prepare them for planting? When do you start them? What is the best medium to start them in? How do you harden them for planting outdoors? And finally, when's the best time to put them in the ground? Are you aware of any good resources for propagating natives? Phew! Thanks! Sherrie in Central Illinois (zone 5)

Tree Peony
by: Rie

How do I prune a Tree Peony?

Dahlias
by: Connie

I don't always have the best luck storing dahlia tubers over the winter---any suggestions?

Stooling of plants
by: Harold

I was just reading about stooling of plants, but they don't really explain it very well. I understand it works for some of the harder to propagate shrubs such as Purple leaf Sandcherry and Harry Lauder Walking stick. Can you include some thing on this in your plant propagation info. Thanks.

Concerning Blueberry and Rh
by: Mr. Mojo

What is the best method of Propagation for Rhododendrons and Blueberries? Air Layering?

Low Tech Shrub and Tree propogation
by: Katie West

Hi Doug, interested in how to do propogation 'low tech' without having to get a hold of a lot of special gear/products to accomplish. Thanks!

rooting medium
by: Bette zone 8

Please add my request for information on the best medium for cuttings. Thanks, Doug

Verialization
by: Anonymous

Veralization of seeds and types that need it.

How to Propogate and collect, store Day Lilly seeds
by: Ohio landscape

This year i noted pods with flat seeds in them in my day lillies. Is there a way to store, protect, or plant these and how do you get them to germinate, and when do you transplant. I am truly a novice at this. Thanks for any comments

Sweet potato vine
by: Elsie Elsie Anonymous

I cut last years "sweet potatoes" in halves or
chunks and planted them in potting soil but
not one rooted. I have had good luck in the
past and, also, in Fl. they would just overwinter.
I love how the plant brightens up a yard.

Shrubs/Trees
by: Misty

I know nothing about this, other than I want to do it!

Like, how big of a portion of a tree/shrub can I lop off to make a new one? Annnd, how do you do that?

Plant Propagation
by: Ruth

When is the best time to propagate plants. How to do , ex. hardwood vs softwood, cuttings or seeds. Do we use sand, soil, water. Which plants are best used for this, which ones are not. Will they come true to form . Thank you

Perennial Seed Harvesting
by: Anonymous

How and when to harvest perennial seeds; how to store; and how/when to plant. I'm a beginner in zone 8. Thanks.

*hand in air* me me pick me tooo
by: cheryl

good luck doug pleasing the bunch of us...if i could add to clamour about vegitative prop of conifers and seed collection and storage...and one little comment to a fellow clamourer...why do you want to propigate a trumpet vine?????here in lovely zone4 they are invasive as heck..i'll send ya some...:)

Ditto on the timing
by: Anonymous

How/where/when to take cuttings for the different/most common plants/trees. I've pretty well got the seed bit down, it's those cuttings- especially roses. I'm in zone 3/4 so again when or do I keep them inside all winter???
THanks looking forward to your information.

Bushes, Roses
by: Anonymous

All kinds of bushes, roses, other trees besides pussy willows, rules of thumb to study; anything to save money

PROPAGATION
by: Anonymous

best medium for seed germination
best medium for shrub cuttings
" " " perennial "
best lighting (bright or shade) for cuttings

Propagting Roses
by: Anonymous

Living in a Canada zone 6, I would like to know how to get new rose bushes from the flowers stalks I have been given.

Huge topic
by: Dori/Oregon

Doug, you have picked an incredibly large topic. I want to learn the best seed developing and saving techniques. And how to propagate conifers. And Japanese maples. And other small trees. And climbing roses. This could save so much money!

Timing is everything
by: Fate

Terrific topic.
A list of "Rules of Thumb", so that I can remember the basics and then look up the ins and outs might be a nice idea.
Also when to propagate which particular plants. Timing is everything , as they say.
Thanks, looking forward to the info

evergreens
by: Anonymous

conifers, shrubs. are there any trees besides willows that can be propogated. i read somewhere about propogating red bud. i want more evergreens

Propagating Willows
by: Lisa

Hi I actually have an answer for you. The easiest way I have found to propagate a dappled willow is to take a cutting below a node and stick it in a glass of water. It will root in about a week and then you can either plant it right in the garden or you can pot it up. :)
Hope this helps someone

Interesting!
by: Marguerite

Very interesting topic. I would like to know how to winter over (Zone 5) seeds. I've placed them in the refrigerator and had some luck this past season but not as much as I would like.
Lupine worked the best. My question is
HOW TO STORE SEEDS????
Thanks Doug.

Propagation 101
by: CL

I'm a novice from Austin, Texas (32 days above 100 so far this year and counting) and would like to know how to tell the best way to propagate a plant...is there a rule of thumb for types of plant? Of particular interest to me are fig trees, roses (I have a very vigorous climbing rose that hardly blooms and would love to graft in a blooming type), lavender bushes, thyme and fennel.

Propagation by divicion
by: John Bentley

I am new at this but it is my understanding that some plants (i.e. Hosta) should be divided well after the plan has matured. Division of some plants, I am told, is difficult and should either bydone with care or avoided. Comments on this?

Propagation
by: Lyn

I would like a list of plants
When to Propagate Jan,Jul
Where to propagate out doors, in doors
How to propagate, water, soil
Propagate with cutting, from seed
How long it should take to propagate

propagation
by: Kay

I would like to know how to propagate woody plants too, mainly conifer, fringe tree and spice bush(lindera benzoin).Perennial vine advice needed also. Type of cutting or seed, soil, bottom heat, humidity dome, time of year, light or darkness, days-years to germinate or form roots.

Perennials from Seed
by: Alexis

I purchased several packets of seeds this year to grow perennials flowers. A few grew without any difficulty but I was unable to get some of the ore difficult seeds to germinate. Could you explain the best way to handle seeds that require any of the following cold period, needs light, needs dark, needs long germination time (keeping soil at right moisture level without growing mold or cooking them through plastic covers).

Spreadsheet of Dougs knowledge
by: barbsgarden

great questions about woody stems, a spreadsheet would make it very friendly for sections of zone, woody stemmed, temps., timing...etc. I too would love to propagate a few favs of my annuals, because of the shortened growing season and the need to continue my labors inside until I am ready to admit the snow/cold is here to stay for several months. THANK YOU FOR THIS!

Propagation of shrubs
by: Sandy

I have about 100 ft in length that I would like to cover with shrubs and let them naturally spred and add some colour and interest against the wetlands behind it. I would like to propagate shrubs like dogwood, dappled willow, sandcherry and hydranga. This seminar couldn't have come at a better time.

Propagation
by: ShSeniorKid

Wow!! You are tackling a hugh project. All the questions and suggestions are great. Off the top of my head I would like to know what seeds can be planted in the fall for germination in the spring/summer? A list of plants that can be brought inside to keep alive during the winter to remember our past growing season. I am going to review all the ideas again so I can come up with more questions that I know I have.

earth or water
by: Douglas M.

Which is better, Starting cuttings in soil or hydroponically. I seem to have more luck with water. Is there something I can add to the water to increase vigor of cuttings.

thanks

Propagation
by: Anonymous

I am particularly interest in germinating daylily seeds as well as the best techniique for culturing proliferations---When to remove from mother plant also.
Thanks
Dennis

Roses
by: gr8gardengal

Occasionally i get 90% sucess, then it's 1%. Why. There must be a "rule" that i am not aware of. Dark of the moon, tide..what?

Propagation
by: Anonymous

I would like to learn how to propagate a Trumpet Vine

Propagating Geranuims
by: Susan A -Ontario

I would like to propagate my geraniums. I have tried many times. Some by cuttings and some by putting in paper bags for the winter without much luck on either way. I have heard you need to let the cutting dry before placing in soil. I have heard not to let it dry. Mine always end up rotting all the way up the stem or the bag ones are dead and dried up.

Seeds
by: Anonymous

Don't know if your seminar includes seed saving, but if so, how do you determine when to plant the saved seed- right away, or next spring. Also, best way to store. Thank you

propagation
by: marilyn

mostly interested in woody shrubs, fruit trees, grafts to put multile fruits on a tree and sages and purple fountain grass. Mexican sage and fountain grass tend todie over winter and would like to create new plnts in my grenhouseover winter

Propagation
by: Gene

I like what so many have said and would love more videos about the same. Woody plants are sparking my interest currently but also would like to know about which plants just need to go into a glass of water to root. Simple things in life.

woody plants
by: Anonymous

woody plant propagation, best time, what part of plant and neccessary conditions, ie bottom heat, hormone treatment, etc.

Hoping for Miracles
by: Candi

I've tried so many times to take cuttings from some indoor plants and even hardy outdoor growers like lantana, mona lavender, and herbs. Haven't had much luck with creating healthy plants from cuttings. I just cut them and place in water hoping for miracles. What do I need to know in order to propagate plants successfully?

Propagation
by: Shanon

Maybe there is an easy way to tell what plants get what kind of propagation. For example: square stemed, round leaf need water rooting. The spread sheet idea is a good one, but the plant world is really big, so covering alot of plants for North America growers would be tough.Good luck Doug, this topic is a major mouth full, but we know you can do it, and thank you in advance.

HURRAY!
by: Anonymous

Oh wow! Everybody has had such good comments! Off the top of my head I'd say I'd like geraniums (got some beauties going this year that I'd like to have more of inside this winter too), elm trees (that my grandfather planted over 50 yrs ago and are reaching the end of their life apparently), wild plum trees are a good idea so I could plant them where I want them and not just go find them where ever they happen to be (don't know if they are grafted like apples or not), actually any woody plant would be great to know about for sure instead of just guessing or going by what you can find googling. I also like the idea of a spreadsheet type data base but you'd have to be careful to make it a pretty common one or a lot of people would have trouble downloading and using it. And a lot of people are not spreadsheet literate either come to think of it so maybe a chart would be better. Wheee! Love this topic! Go Doug!

Proogation spreadsheet
by: Stan Collins

I agree with Dave Mayer's idea of a dowloadable "Propagation Summary by Plant" especially if this includes colums of propagation types with time to propogate filled in for suitable plants. A section ( with videos ? ) showing propogation techniques would also be helpfull.

Some plants will root readilly in just water so a column for this , the simplest type of propogation would be helpfull. I've heard that adding a few twigs fro Willow acts as a stimulant. Is this true ?

Maybe members could have a swop page for cuttings.

Propagating patented plants & hardwoods
by: Mike Roha

I would like to know more about the "prohibited" propagation of certain plants. Is it like mattress tags that apply only to commercial use, or home use as well?

I've had the most trouble with hardwood cuttings and would like to know more about it.

Propagation
by: Linda A.

How can you tell which plants you can just cut off and stick in a jar of water to root and which will need roottone (or similar solution) and sand or dirt? Which root best outdoors and which need to be inside and warm? If this asking too much and takes a lifetime to learn, please disregard. I don't want to be unreasonable, but you said ask. Thank you.

'Illegal' Propagation
by: Christa, Kingston

Some of my Geraniums and
Miniature Conifers state on
their tags 'Propagation
prohibited'. Maybe this
subject could also be addressed

propagating geraniums
by: Anonymous

I would like to propagate my geraniums. I have tried many times and only once did it work. I have heard you need to let the cutting dry before placing in soil. I have heard not to let it dry. Mine always end up rotting all the way up the stem.
Barb

annual plant propagation
by: Bonnie

I would love to learn how to propagate lantana. I have tried cuttings and the seeds that they produce, but so far - no luck.

I would also like to propagate the profusion zinnias. I have been told that the seeds they produce are steril. Is this true?

Cuttings
by: Linda

I want to take cuttings from roses, oleanders, and fruit trees. Linda

Climbing rose
by: Karen

I'd like to know what plants are best for what kind of cuttings and if I could start a climbing rose by cuttings. Also about taking softwood cuttings. I have read that a bleeding heart can be propagated by taking root cuttings but haven't tried it and would like to know more.

PLUM TREE GRAFTING/POLLINATING
by: Iona Danielson

Identifier tags lost from bare root trees purchased from Conservation District. They're 12 ft tall now and still no plums. Also have American and Pembina plums 8 feet tall and no plums. What, how, and when do I graft as an appropriate pollinator? What's the secret to getting bare root Conservation District apricot and pear trees to survive in zone 3?

Propagation Summary by Plant
by: Dave Meyer

What's not to know, we need to know everything. My thought is that it would be great to have a down loadable spreadsheet with plants listed(organized by type), best propagation method and best time of year, alternate propagation techniques, and special care notes. How's that for asking for everything?

when
by: sam

I'd like to know when the proper times to propagate are. Like: early morning, spring, fall, etc.

Propagating special annuals
by: Linda

Is it possible to propagate my Prove Winners petunias from cuttings so I can have them again for next year? What about the newer pink gauras that won't survive through a winter in my area, is there a way to propagate those too for next year?

Propergating,,
by: Linda E.

I would like to know what time of year it is best to take cuttings, And if winter is a good time also. Thanks Doug

when
by: Tom

When are the best times in general to split or take cuttings from plants.

Propagation
by: wendy

I want to know what type of growing medium is best to propagate in. Do I use potting soil, sand etc. Also when propagating who do I control nats.

propagation question
by: Jennifer

My mother has a hydrangea that was grown from a cutting from my Grannie's plant 30 years ago. I'd like to take a cutting from this plant as well.

Thanks for all your help!

Cuttings
by: Pearls

I would like to know what types of plants dont grow from cuttings. They seem to be quite a few lAnd which grow from what sort of cutting hardwod , side shoot etc.

Plant prop
by: Moni

Doug
I would love to learn to propagate woody plants. This would include roses, shrubs...mostly deciduous, tho a few evergreens would be great!
Taking cuttings at the right time, treating them with certain temps and moister and then getting them to root seems so complicated...is there an easy simple method?
Thanks!

Geraniums
by: Lola Ball

I want to know how to start new geraniums and coleous from the ones I have outside so I can start new plants to have in the house during the winter.

propogration
by: ron

I have a cranberry bush how do I propograte the runners /new growth

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Doug Green