Propagating cuttings using Forsythe Pots ~

[zuzu's petals]

I do a lot of cutting propagation, whether they are cuttings that my online friends share with me,
or tender plants, like Coleus, that I want to hold over the winter months
for planting back into my garden next season.

There are many methods for rooting cuttings, and I've tried most of 'em,
some worked pretty well - some ... ... not so much.

Then I learned about Forsythe Pots a few years ago, and my success rate jumped dramatically,
this is the method that I use most often now.

This is a photo tutorial that I made a while back,
I hope that some of you may find it helpful.

To make the Forsythe Pots -

I use a clean 6 inch plastic pot with a well-fitted saucer
and a very small (2 inch) terracotta pot (must be terracotta) - bottom drain hole sealed
(I use 2 small squares of duct tape - one inside, and one on the bottom of the pot).

You'll also need vermiculite and something to keep the vermiculite from running
out through the drain holes.



(I used a square of weed-block here,
but a single layer of newspaper or paper towel works, too).



Fill the 6 inch pot with vermiculite,
to within about 3/4 in from the top
then add enough water to the pot so that it thoroughly moistens
the vermiculite and fills the saucer - do this ever so gently -
the water will wash the vermiculite right out of the pot
if you aren't careful.

Then press the tiny terracotta pot down into the center
of the larger pot, leaving at least a ¼ inch of the lip
above the level of the vermiculite.

Fill the terracotta pot with water,
this will act as a reservoir (the water will seep out through
the porous terracotta) making the unit self-watering,
just keep the saucer and the little terracotta pot topped off with water.



Next -

I use rooting hormone and a little dibble (poking stick).



If the cutting is semi-hardwood,
I GENTLY scrape a couple of small spots along
the bottom inch or so of the cutting, using the edge of my clippers
- - scrape very, very lightly - -
you just want to expose the bright green layer - no deeper
(*** if the cutting is soft-stemmed, like Coleus,
there is no need to scrape).



I coat the bottom few inches with the rooting hormone,
tapping off any excess.



Using the dibble, I make a hole in the moist vermiculite
so that I can insert the cutting without rubbing off the hormone powder.



I put the cutting into the hole,
then firm the damp vermiculite around it.

You can put lots of cuttings into one of these pots.



Finally, and very importantly, be sure to add a label
and put the pot somewhere that is bright,
but where it will get NO direct sun.



I will GENTLY tug at the cuttings in about 2 weeks
to see if they seem to be setting roots
- some plants root quickly, others may take considerably longer.

Remove and discard any cuttings that are clearly unhealthy.

If they have a "light grip" on the vermiculite,
I let them stay until they have a good, firm grip.

When they seem firmly rooted, remove the little terracotta pot
and gently remove your newly rooted plants,
separating them from each other gently.

Plant them into a good potting medium,
there is no need to remove any vermiculite that clings to the roots.



I use this method for rooting all sorts of plants,
it works really well for me.

[gardeningmom]

Terrific information. I've never propogated anything but this is so clear and concise I might be able to - Just thinking of all the cuttings I could do.

[zuzu's petals]

Thanks G'mom, I hope it works well for you.
I'll bet that once you get started propagating cuttings, you won't be able to stop.

[jdkline]

Another project for my list. LOL Boy, is that list getting long...... I did make tippy pots today, got that off my list.
Deb

[Mandy]

Thanks zuzu, I'll let you know how successful I am with this method!

[Pushin-up-Daisies]

Thanks zuzu never tryed that way before, saves on rooting space also. great info & pics. on demonstrating the method. u rock[Automated by GetSmile]

[NurseDebbie]

do you know if this would work with Forsythia plants?

[zuzu's petals]

do you know if this would work with Forsythia plants?

I'd sure give it a try.
I think that semi-hardwood cuttings would be my choice.

I also know that Forsythia roots pretty well if you scrape the bottom side of a stem gently
(without cutting it from the mother plant) and pin it to the ground with something like a rock or a brick.
I've done that with several types of shrubs that grow long flexible stems,
and had pretty good luck.

I usually leave the stem pinned like that for a few months before cutting it free.
They tend to grow enough good roots that you actually have to dig them up,
and you have a really sturdy, good-sized plant all ready to replant.

I once forgot that I had done this with an Azalea,
and left it that way from one spring all the way 'til the next ...
by the time I dug it up, it was almost as big as the parent plant.

[jdkline]

Ok I told you I was gonna try it and I did. I can never root anything......
until now!!!!!!!! I put about 6 little starts in my forsythe pot around 2 weeks ago. I have rooted a rose cutting and a variegated weigela cutting. Added a few more cuttings in there to try and root them also. The ones that havent rooted yet that were put in the pot in the beginning still look good so I'm leaving them a little longer hoping they will still root. Let me remind you that this is in spite of my little coon buddy knocking the thing over at least twice. So, now some of the cuttings in there have lost their tags so I"m not sure what some of them are. I have one question...does anyone know how to propagate an eunoymous (sp) ??? I have one in this pot and it still looks good but I am very impatient about getting one of these going. LOL Thanks
Deb

[santoury]

This is fantastic! So you just keep the clay pot full of water at all times?

I have a question -

What plants / trees are known to NOT root from cuttings?
It would be helpful if we could form a "CAN and CANNOT grow list" to save us the trouble of trying.

[jdkline]

Yes, that would be very helpful. Except on my list would be.....all the plants cant be rooted cept for the rose and wiegela I just rooted. No, seriously this method seems to be doing wonders for me and my black thumb when it comes to rooting things. Yes, the little pot in the middle of the big pot, just keep it full of water and the dish under neath also. Now that I actually rooted a couple of things I am trying others just to see what will take and what wont. Maybe we can get a list going on here somewhere. I know I will be keeping one for myself once I try even more cuttings. It was very easy to root those 2 things. Just keep adding water....in 2 weeks check for roots.
Deb

[trudy]

I'm gonna have to try this one. Esp. the ones I find hard to root. Thanks for sharing.

[trumpetvine]

Zuzu, Thanks for the great information! I have some huge coleus that I would love to over winter. My greatest problem for the winter months though is lack of light! I can't wait to try this rooting method!

[Pushin-up-Daisies]

This the absolute best rooting method ,I rooted cat whisker,3 oleanders,&confederated rose within 2 weeks time. love it zuzu not going back to the old dirt jobby again.[Automated by GetSmile]

[GARDEN GUY]

Great info.......lots of new plants on the way....