How to propagate new plants from root cuttings
What are root cuttings?
Root cuttings are cuttings taken from the roots of a parent plant which are divided into smaller pieces, covered with sand and compost until new shoots and leaves appear several months later. This method of taking and propagating new plants from root cuttings is extremely simple, yet very effective in producing good quality, sturdy and healthy new specimens.
Which plants are propagated best from root cuttings?
Plants that propagate well by using the root cuttings technique are mainly herbaceous perennials such as Acanthus, Anchusa azurea, Japanese anemone, Echinops, oriental poppy, Romneya and gypsophilia.
Trees and shrubs can also be propagated in this manner and it is also a useful method for those plants and shrubs that do not root well when using other techniques such as stem or leaf cuttings.
Trees and shrubs can also be propagated in this manner and it is also a useful method for those plants and shrubs that do not root well when using other techniques such as stem or leaf cuttings.
When to take root cuttings
Root cuttings are taken in the dormant season, any time between the months of October and March, when generally there is a lot less work to be done in the garden. This method is very quick and easy and the whole process can take less than an hour.
How to take a root cutting
Carefully dig up a strong, healthy and relatively young but well established plant that is not in active growth at that precise moment, ensuring that the whole plant is dug up including all of the roots. Shake or wash off all the soil that is attached to the roots and select which ones you are going to use to make the cuttings.
The roots that you choose should be about the thickness of a pencil and they should be vigorous and strong. Thinner roots, which will root in less time, can also be employed, but usually for root cuttings, thick, fleshy roots are used.
Cut the chosen roots from the parent plant near the crown using a clean and sharp knife. Dissect each root into smaller sections of approximately 5 - 10cm (2 - 4in) in length. To distinguish the top of the cutting from the bottom, cut the top straight across, and cut the bottom at an angle.
Replant the parent plant as soon as possible after taking the cuttings, digging in some well rotted organic matter and adding a little general fertiliser. Ensure that the parent plant is well firmed into the soil back in its original place.
The roots that you choose should be about the thickness of a pencil and they should be vigorous and strong. Thinner roots, which will root in less time, can also be employed, but usually for root cuttings, thick, fleshy roots are used.
Cut the chosen roots from the parent plant near the crown using a clean and sharp knife. Dissect each root into smaller sections of approximately 5 - 10cm (2 - 4in) in length. To distinguish the top of the cutting from the bottom, cut the top straight across, and cut the bottom at an angle.
Replant the parent plant as soon as possible after taking the cuttings, digging in some well rotted organic matter and adding a little general fertiliser. Ensure that the parent plant is well firmed into the soil back in its original place.
Inserting the cuttings into compost
Root cuttings can be inserted into a rooting medium by using two different techniques. Firstly, the cuttings can be inserted around the edge of a deep pot or container filled with cuttings compost, arranging the cuttings 2.5 - 5cm (1 - 2in) apart. The top of the cutting should reach the surface level. Cover the root cuttings with a fine layer of soil or grit and firm in the soil around the cuttings to promote quicker rooting.
The second method involves laying the cut root sections flat on a layer of moist sandy compost and then covering them with about 2.5cm (1in) of soil. The cuttings should be well spaced apart. This works well with thinner roots, which should also be slightly longer in length.
Place the pots in a cold frame, a sheltered spot outdoors or on the windowsill of a room with a relatively low temperature. A greenhouse can also house the cuttings, but it should not be too hot inside, and heat underneath the cuttings is not necessary in this case.
Ensure that the soil is kept moist but do not drench it in water as this will cause the cuttings to rot. Other than that, root cuttings do not require much attention as for many months all of the action takes place underground.
When new shoots or leaves appear in the early spring, the cuttings can be removed from the compost and potted into individual pots, ready to be planted outside in the ground the following autumn or spring.
The second method involves laying the cut root sections flat on a layer of moist sandy compost and then covering them with about 2.5cm (1in) of soil. The cuttings should be well spaced apart. This works well with thinner roots, which should also be slightly longer in length.
Place the pots in a cold frame, a sheltered spot outdoors or on the windowsill of a room with a relatively low temperature. A greenhouse can also house the cuttings, but it should not be too hot inside, and heat underneath the cuttings is not necessary in this case.
Ensure that the soil is kept moist but do not drench it in water as this will cause the cuttings to rot. Other than that, root cuttings do not require much attention as for many months all of the action takes place underground.
When new shoots or leaves appear in the early spring, the cuttings can be removed from the compost and potted into individual pots, ready to be planted outside in the ground the following autumn or spring.
