Do you have a favourite plants in your garden and are you keen to multiply then propagation is the way to go to save money as well as to fill the gaps in your garden bed.
Why would you want to propagate plants?
- Propagating plants saves money and helps to retain the same quality of the plants in our garden.
- Propagation helps to mass plant one variety that looks stunning during a particular season and fill up gaps in the garden bed which will suppress weed plant growth.
- Propagating plants to share with friends and extended family can be a fun and fill you with joy.
What are some of the ways to propagate?
- There are number of ways to propagate, the most reliable is collecting seeds of the plants especially if you are keen on growing edible garden.eg beans, peas etc
- Buying plants that reseeds and blooms back in season e.g.- annuals plants like Cosmos, Zinnia and Marigold. Short lived perennials like Nasturtium, Calendula.
- Root division could be another method of propagation which will save you money e.g.- Ginger, Turmeric, Agapanthus.
- Stem cutting can be done for certain plants like Hydrangea, Camellias, Rosemary. Leaf cutting works well for succulents.
How to propagate ?
The most successful propagation would be seeds and cutting.
Some seeds can be stored for long period, other plants will automatically reseed in the garden bed if the soil is healthy.
Semi hard wood cutting is a good way to propagate perennial and shrubs. Cut them below the node and when you plant them make sure there is bare minimum of leaves. It can be dipped in the rooting hormone before planting. Cutting is best done during late spring or early summer.
Once you are confident with the above suggested method try other propagation methods like division and layering.
To know more read the article published in Bunnings February23 issue (Page 34) where we have talked about propagation.
https://www.bunnings.com.au/bunnings-magazine/february-2023
Thanks to Tammy @leaf_an_impression for mentioning us and adding our comments to the article.