How to take softwood cuttings to propagate plants for free

[@johnmetrac2898]

Best cuttings video I’ve ever seen thank you 😊

[@Gardenninja]

You’re welcome John! So glad it’s helpful. Make sure you subscribe for even more how to gardening guides from me! Happy gardening. Lee 🥷🌿🤘

[@butterbeans1619]

This was very helpful. Thank you

[@Gardenninja]

You’re welcome Butter Beans! Happy gardening. Lee 🥷🌿👍

[@stevebyrne1320]

Ninja, we are near neighbours (Chester). As an alternative to the plastic bag method, I've been using pop bottles with the bottom cut off. Leave the cap on at first and then remove it for ventilation. It's worked for roses and hydrangeas so far. Lavender is next on the experiment list. Love your channel.

[@Gardenninja]

Morning Neighbour! Great to hear from you. Oh the plastic bottle method! Good shout. I used to use this not sure why I stopped! Maybe lack of pop bottles. I shall restart. Love a bit of recycling. Good luck with the lavender propagation. Lee 🌿🥷

[@daffodill200]

Thank you for all your advice in easy steps.

[@Gardenninja]

You’re welcome Susan. I’m glad you find the guides useful! All the best. Lee 🌿🥷

[@DunningsMillLawnCare]

I'm going to try this out on my Hydrangeas, I would love to have more in my garden, as well as giving some away to my local community.

[@daviddoyle5480]

I enjoyed the video lee. I've had some partial success with cuttings in plant pots, never tried popping them in water, think I will give it go.I always look forward to your videos and your no nonsense approach .

[@Gardenninja]

Thanks David. I find the water version a bit less ‘hit and miss’ as at least you can see when they’re getting somewhere or if not you’ve not wasted lots of space and compost!! More videos to come! Happy Gardening. Lee

[@saurabhchavan5951]

So useful😘, Thanks!!!. I am from India and Agriculture student

[@Gardenninja]

Great to hear from you and good luck with your studies! 🥷🌿🙌

[@lyndonhudspeth4915]

Love the Ninj ❤️ great tips for the amateur gardener 👍🏻 excellent vid and editing, keep them coming please!

[@Gardenninja]

Lyndon Hudspeth will do. Glad you’re enjoying them! Happy gardening. Lee

[@kevinodonnell6918]

Like this advice "saving money" great thank you, hope you enjoying the sunshine cheers kevin.

[@livo8]

Your videos are fantastic! Some of the clearest and best edited of their kind on youtube. Thank you!

[@Gardenninja]

Thanks so much Liv O. What a fantastic uplifting comment to get! Make sure you tell all your gardening mates. That way we get more capable and confident gardeners! 🥷🤘🌿 Happy gardening! Lee

[@CocoBark]

This example is really helpful! Thanks

[@Gardenninja]

You’re welcome! Glad the gardening guide is helping you! Lee 🥷🌿🙌

[@Leaffycottage]

Very informative, thanks

[@Gardenninja]

Thanks Leafy. Glad it’s helpful. 🥷🌿

[@cleanwillie334]

Good stuff. Thanks, lady.

[@Gardenninja]

You’re welcome girl friend. Happy gardening sister!

[@johnmurray5732]

This is so cool..Thank you!

[@Gardenninja]

Thanks John! Make sure you subscribe for even more garden design hints tips and hacks! Happy Gardening. Lee

[@LatinDanceVideos]

This was good. Compact. Dense with Information. Well thought out. Voice pitch threw me but it’s obviously I’m his natural voice.

[@Gardenninja]

Thanks! 🥷🌿

[@zakeebanks9757]

Great video, got loads of plants I can do, save my husband a fortune......lol

[@Gardenninja]

Thanks for the comment! Yes you really can save a fortune. It’s a great way to really get to know your plants too and how they grow. Well worth the patience! Happy Gardening. Lee

[@Gardenninja]

Brilliant to hear. I love taking cuttings. It really helps you get to know your plants as well when they grow up from cuttings! Happy propagating! Lee 🥷🌿

[@mult1coloured]

So useful, thanks !

[@Gardenninja]

You’re welcome! Happy Gardening. Lee

[@m1421]

Great video Lee. I bought one of those super duper propogation kits with the rooting sponges and gel etc but it didn't work but going to give this method a go. Thanks

[@Gardenninja]

Steve1 M glad it’s useful. Let me know how you get on!! Happy cutting! Lee

[@nataliemetcalf1079]

Hi, found this usfull. I have been given cuttings from several hardy shrubs and like you suggested stripped back some leaves. I also dipped stem in hormone root growth before popping in comost. I dont have any bags to put over them, so just sitting on my window sill. How long do I wait before planting out in the garden? In the past few days a couple look like they are struggling, but cherry cutting starting to show new growth. so excited as I love cherrys.

[@Gardenninja]

Hi Natalie, I'm glad you found my guide to softwood cuttings useful! You'll know when they've taken because their roots will start to sprout out the bottom of the pots and they will start to put on new growth ie leaves, laterals and stems. For planting out into the garden you will need to harden them off it they have been indoors you can read more on that process here! www.gardenninja.co.uk/how-to-pot-on-and-prick-out-seedlings/ Happy gardening! 🥷🌿

[@bryan3550]

Nice work! Have you any advice on taking Daphne cuttings? I'm in Australia, so I guess timing the month would be 6 months different from you...

[@amandakohli3176]

When do you plant out the cutting is it for the next year ??

[@Gardenninja]

Hi Amanda. No you can plant it out this year once it’s taken. You may need to harden it off if grown under glass or indoors. You can find out more about that process here in this article on seedlings 👉 www.gardenninja.co.uk/how-to-pot-on-and-prick-out-seedlings/ 🥷🌿👌

[@estidabesti9573]

amazing

[@tanzilsorwar8851]

hello estiaan

[@Gardenninja]

Hi everyone! Happy gardening! Lee 🥷🌿😂

[@owhchew]

Yes Doornboom is garden master

[@terrycoles461]

Hi lee, Excellent, Thank you for sharing 😁 love watching you at work and sharing your knowledge.. I have been following your channel for a long time, you always Cheer up my day😁 Terry

[@Gardenninja]

Thanks Terry. What a nice comment to receive! Hope you’re enjoying your garden during lockdown. All the best. Lee

[@birgitmueller8422]

Great Video 👌⭐️

[@Gardenninja]

Thanks Birgit. Make sure you subscribe for even more garden design hints tips and hacks! Happy gardening! Lee 🥷🌿🌱

[@ninapatina9630]

Could you take a cutting from white lilac? We have a huge bush now. Thanks

[@kellybrown8035]

Hey Lee - do you still use a plastic bag propagator when rooting in water?

[@Gardenninja]

No I don’t. I find with the root immersed it doesn’t need it as it has far more access to water for transpiration. Hope that helps! 🥷🌿🤘

[@mwaugh12]

Hi when the best time to propagate hydrangeas is that late April too? I took cuttings around august last year from a plant in my old garden I managed to get 9 out of 21 to grow and I’ve got the bug of propagation so would like to have another go this year thanks Mike

[@Gardenninja]

Hi Mike. I’d wait until May when you’ve got some string fresh growth. Then cut that early in the morning to create you leave softwood cuttings. Do more than you need so you have decent chances of success! Happy propagating. Lee

[@nishapatel9326]

When to water please let me know thanks

[@Gardenninja]

Hi Nisha. You want to keep the seedlings ever so slightly damp but not soaked. Water only when they start to dry out. Checkout my other seed sowing guides for more help here. kzbin.info/aero/PL7HK5RsLCR9c-SV4gd8qoauwZXxU2TW5S Happy gardening! Lee 🥷🌿🤘

[@alexanderprice8996]

How can you limit mold growth? I have trouble with mold and mildew.

[@Gardenninja]

Hi Alexander. The best way is air flow. So open up your bags with cuttings in a few times a week. Let old air out and fresh air in! Happy gardening. Lee 🥷🌿

[@pronoun_dilemma]

Using the plastic bag method, is it ok to leave them outside if you don't have a green house?

[@Gardenninja]

Yes you could do in the summer months . It’s more to keep the humidity. If it’s cold though Ie below 9 degrees c it’s probably best to bring them in to help speed up the rooting process. A window ledge is a good idea! Happy propagating. Lee 🥷🌿🥰

[@pronoun_dilemma]

@@Gardenninja Super. Thanks very much for the reply Lee.

[@ash20500]

I’ve just done some cuttings for hydrangeas and butterfly bush. Do they need full sunlight on the window ledge?

[@pansepot1490]

Keep the cuttings OUT OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT until they have rooted.

[@Gardenninja]

Agreed. Light shade is key as they don’t have the root system to be able to handle full fun yet. They will lose lots of water and fry! I find just off a window ledge or under my staging in a greenhouse is best. Hope that helps. Lee

[@ash20500]

Garden Ninja Ltd Thanks Lee

[@markwinterbottom3634]

Nice border terrier.

[@skivaly21]

Great video, very helpful! Will this work with a dogwood tree too?

[@Gardenninja]

For Cornus (Dogwood) you’re better doing a hardwood cutting late Autumn when the leaves have dropped. Then cut off a stem of this years growth. Remove e softer top piece. Then cut into sections with a leave bud on each individual section. Plop in a pot of compost (the same way up as they were growing ie don’t flip them the wrong way round!!) then keep somewhere sheltered. They do take a while but by next spring you should see growth. Maybe do 5-10 to a pot for more success. Happy propagating! Lee

[@ash20500]

Great video again. Can I follow the same method for Rose cuttings? Also noticed that you didn’t use rooting hormone?

[@Gardenninja]

I never bother with rooting hormone to be honest. Find most softwood cuttings take just fine. Ahh Roses. No I’m afraid not. Roses use bud grafts and it’s quite tricky. Save yourself the heartache and buy a bare root come Autumn I’m afraid!! Plenty of other shrubs to take cuttings from though!! Happy Gardening. Lee

[@ash20500]

Garden Ninja Ltd thanks!

[@pansepot1490]

ash20500 if you want to multiple roses try with hardwood cuttings. It’s very easy. Time: October early November, use well developed branches that have grown during the season (avoid old wood and branches that are still young and herbaceous), cut 20 cm pieces, take all leaves off if there’s still any and just stick them into the ground for 3/4 of their length. The soil should have been loosened and water the cuttings if it happens to be dry. Wait, or better forget about it. Usually in the following spring most of these sticks put out leaves and start to grow having developed roots underground. Wait until the autumn to dig them up and plant in their final location in the garden. I usually prefer to buy bare rooted roses but I had an old variety that I wanted to preserve so I used the method above. The percentage of success can vary so it’s better to try with several cuttings. That’s a method that works for other plants. For some trees like poplars and willows you can literally stick a pole in the ground in autumn and the following spring it starts growing.

[@ash20500]

Pat Pezzi thanks for your detailed guide. Will give it a try in October.

[@ash20500]

Garden Ninja Ltd Hi Lee. I’ve had my softwood cuttings in water for around 6 weeks now and there is plenty of new leaf growth but no roots yet. Should I just be more patient with them or have I done something wrong?

[@penny8210]

When I put cuttings in water, the bottom of the cutying turns black, isnt that bad?

[@Gardenninja]

Hi Penny. It’s just a bit of necrosis Ie dead tissue. It could be if you’ve taken the cutting and then let it dry out slightly before popping it in water. As Long as it roots then it should be fine. Happy gardening! Lee 🥷🌿🤘

[@penny8210]

@@Gardenninja After watching your video, I took all of them out of the water, fresh cut to the node, I had cut below before putting in water, then put them in potting soil. Seems to me that would be better. Also, I did notice all of the leaves drooped, but within a few days perked right back up.??

[@kestane123chesmo]

will this work for japanese maples? Will a leaf become a tree

[@Gardenninja]

Hi Golden Wings. Probably not. You’d need to use a graft method for a tree like that. They’re super slow growing. Happy gardening. Lee

[@chicvintagegifts6335]

It would be so much easier if you could just come n help me lol im moving to a house with a small garden without 1 plant boo hoo xxx TFS great tips xxx

[@Gardenninja]

😂 I’m afraid it’s not a service I’m offering at the moment due to my work schedule!! 😜🥷🌿🤘 Glad you like the tips though!!

[@at1the1beginning]

I've taken dozens of cuttings over the last few years from Salvia and Euphorbia. In pure water or compost, with or without a bag, and only one cutting of the latter made it so far... All the rest blackened after two weeks. sigh

[@Gardenninja]

Oh dear. Sounds like they’ve dried out and then started to rot. It’s really important to get them in ASAP. Perseverance is key with gardening though. Keep going! Lee

[@rice1307]

If you cut the middle of the leaves it opens a wound in the plant and causes it to loose more water its better to just leave them on entirely or cut them off completely not cut them half way

[@Gardenninja]

Sorry but that’s not entirely correct. The leaf transpires even when left on so when cutting you lose some moisture but not as much leaving it on to respire naturally. Also if you remove them completely then they can’t photosynthesise all the plant cutting will struggle probably fail. The sliced leaves seal pretty quickly. It’s been a tried and tested method in propagation here in the UK and used by all the major gardens here for decades. Maybe try your method and mine and then report back. I’d be interested to hear! Happy gardening. 🥷🌿