[Ruth Cross]

I would quite like to take some cuttings from some of my well established herbs this year. However I have never ever taken a cutting so will need step by step tips if anyone can help. Also what rooting compound/hormone stuff should I use, how much should I pay for it???

Thanks

[Trillium]

Looks like the others are puzzled on this one. I use a powdered one that's specific to softwood cuttings. There's usually a range of 3 strengths so look for this one. No idea on UK prices but it shouldn't run more than a few pounds, and it'll last years unless you're mad keen on cuttings.

Try to take the cutting just below one of the little stem bumps (nodes), dip just the cutting tip bottom onto the powder, shake it off excess and carefully slide into a damp half sand, half compost mix, and place in a clear plastic bag which you can tie. Keep out of direct sun until you see growth. Several cuttings can start in the same pot.
In Canada we also have a clear gel product that you simply place the cutting into. Not sure if it's in the UK.

Somewhere on the BBC Gardener's World website, there's a Monty Don clip with him doing cuttings I believe.

[noshed]

Wilkos do a pot v cheaply.

[gobs]

I don't use any rooting thingy, Rooth, and if you feel you must, then as a guide, if you put that much on that you can see it , you put on too much.

What plant is this, exactly, by-the-by?

[Eristic]

I'm with Nosher on this one Don't bother, just take plenty of cuttings and don't count the ones that die.

For interest though, I was taught at school to dip the cutting in water, dip it in the powder, knock the powder off back into the tub, plant the cutting. But that was in the bad old days before Comprehensive Schools when Rural Science was just part of the curriculem along with Maths, English, General Science and Woodwork.

[Ruth Cross]

I was hoping to do rosemary cuttings as the plant I have is really well established on my balcony, but want to make a herb bed at the allotment.

I'd rather save the money if its not essential to buy the powder, but if its only a case of a couple of £ then I might give it a go anyway.

Trillium what 'strength' will I need for herbs??

[Dominic]

You can rooting hormone?

Would it be useful for transplanting trees/bushes?

Get them rooting into their new home nice and quickly?

[The Thin Blue Line]

have a read of this

http://www.rhs.org.uk/publications/pubs/garden0405/propagation.asp

[Ruth Cross]

thanks thin blue line, thats exactly what I was looking for. I'll let you know how I get on

[Annie]

Rosemary cuttings take really easily,take 3 cuttings,strip the leaves back about 1 inch and put the cuttings round the edge of a pot,put a poly bag over the pot after watering,secure with a plastic bag.If you put the pot somewherecoolish and with moderate light the cuttings will take easily.Just check every now and then to make sure the bag is not in contact with the leaves,result 3 rosemary plants.This works well with other herbs,if you try sage then plant the pot out when it`s rooted for a big clump that will be slower to go bare in the middle.
I think you can get the rooting gel pots,nice for children to see roots form but often a jamjar with water works just as well.

[gobs]

Rosemary cuttings take really easily,take 3 cuttings,strip the leaves back about 1 inch and put the cuttings round the edge of a pot,put a poly bag over the pot after watering,secure with a plastic bag.If you put the pot somewherecoolish and with moderate light the cuttings will take easily.Just check every now and then to make sure the bag is not in contact with the leaves,result 3 rosemary plants.This works well with other herbs,if you try sage then plant the pot out when it`s rooted for a big clump that will be slower to go bare in the middle.
I think you can get the rooting gel pots,nice for children to see roots form but often a jamjar with water works just as well.

Or much better, well, I don't bother with any gimmicks. Very true, soft wood rosemary cuttings with heel. End of. Stick in soil all needs be doing, fast like not having it lingering about.

[sharky]

have a read of this

http://www.rhs.org.uk/publications/pubs/garden0405/propagation.asp

Just read that and it had got me wondering..

It mentions the chemicals a plant manufactures to encourage root growth is Indoleacetic acid, though in wilkinsons own brand rooting powder, the chemical used is called Naphthylacetic acid?

[The Thin Blue Line]

indoleacetic acid is an auxin while Naphthylacetic acid has auxin like properties, simply a cheap0