Propagating a plant
- Plant of your choice
- Any gloves
- Glass jar
- Shears
- Rubbing alcohol
- Potting soil
- Planter
1. The first and foremost need of successful propagation is the presence of a node on the cutting. The node is the rounded hump at the base of the stem on the side that does not bear leaves. The roots won’t be able to establish themselves otherwise. To paraphrase: “you can cut the stem anywhere, as long as you include around one to three leaves every cutting.”
2. Use rubbing alcohol to disinfect your shears to keep your plant healthy.
3. With your gardening gloves on, cut the stem of the plant below the node.
4. Place your new cutting in a glass jar filled with water and place it in a warm, bright location where it can absorb some indirect sunlight. Keep it there until the roots reach a length of one to three inches. This can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the plant.
5. Take out the cutting from the water once it has roots and place it in a small planter filled with new soil. Water the plant often to ensure growth.