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PROPAGATION

PROPAGATION BY LAYERING

Layering is a simple and natural form of propagation where a shoot is encouraged to root while still attached to the parent plant. Late spring/early summer is a good time to attempt layering and you'll need to decide whether you are going to do it direct into the ground or using pots. Whichever method you choose you will need to choose a strong flexible stem which can be bent to the ground.

If you are layering direct into the ground you will need to prepare a shallow trench, and fill it with organic compost mixed with your soil, and also add some grit or sharp sand. If you are using pots you will need to fill them with a mixture compost and soil as mentioned above, or John Innes No.3 is good too. Trim off the leaves of alternate leaf joints of the chosen stem, then make a small cut about 1cm below and in the direction of each of the trimmed leaf joints, but be careful not to cut through the stem. Dust each of the cuts with hormone rooting powder and then peg the stem and trimmed joints into the soil of the trench or onto the surface of your pots with one trimmed leaf joint per pot. Leave the last few leaf joints of the stem untrimmed and tie it to a cane in a suitable spot beyond your trench or pots. Water the parent plant and the trench or pots and protect with chicken wire or something else that will prevent damage from animals and birds. Water the trench or pots regularly, and continue to water and feed the parent plant as usual.

The layers will need to be left for about a year to ensure they start growing roots, and then you can cut them from the parent plant. Carefully pot up the newly created plants using loam based compost, and label carefully. Keep the plants well watered and protect from slugs and snails.