September is the ideal time to take cuttings of many tender plants, including penstemon and pelargonium.
Some plants, such as half-hardy perennials or tender shrubs, may not make it through the winter, so by taking cuttings you can ensure that you can enjoy them the following year. Taking cuttings in autumn is also a good way of increase your stock of your favourite plants.
At this time of year, you can take semi-ripe cuttings, from this year’s growth. They are woody at the base and soft at the tip. In autumn, hormone levels are high, so plants should root and grow well. The hard base makes the cuttings less likely to rot.
Discover plants to propagate in September:
Fuchsia
Both hardy and half-hardy perennial varieties of fuchsia root easily. To produce bushy plants, pinch out the growing tips once rooted, then repeat next spring.
Penstemon
Penstemon plants winter safely outdoors, but they won’t take severe weather. Older plants tend to become woody and run out of steam – so take cuttings as a ‘belt and braces’ precaution.
Geranium (pelargonium)
Zonals, regals, miniatures, ivy-leaf and scented-leaf geraniums all root reliably in autumn and it’s cheaper easier than replacing unusual collectors’ kinds. Find out how to take geranium cuttings.
Salvia
Not all salvias are fully hardy, and some varieties are hard to come by, so taking cuttings is a good way of keeping your plants going from year to year. Give spare cuttings to friends, so you always know where to beg some back from.
Verbena
Both trailing and upright types of verbena have a low success rate when overwintered in greenhouses. They fare better as rooted cuttings on a windowsill indoors, where it’s warmer.
To view more flowers to propagate. copy the link below.
Source: gardenersworld.com
