Plant Cuttings and Transplants Tips for Best Success

Plant cuttings and transplanted selections require additional care to ensure the selection remains a viable plant capable of rooting itself in new ground. A few precautionary measures give young plants and cuttings the best possible chance for survival.

Tap Roots

When taking a cutting, choose a healthy branch, but don’t emphasize extra foliage (which demands extra work on the part of your branch). If you’re digging up a small plant, dig a wide, deep circle around your plant; when you dig it up, do your best to preserve the tap root, or as much of it as possible. The taproot is the long, main root extending beneath your plant’s trunk, the main root in the plant’s system.

Wet Wrap

If your plant or cutting has a long distance to travel from the original site, wrap the base or roots of your selection in damp paper material to keep it moist. Paper towels and napkins can be soaked, then wrapped gently around the roots or cutting site, followed by damp newspapers to help retain the moisture and prevent dripping.

Prepare for Planting

If you’ve taken a cutting, root hormone may help your branch develop a root system before planting. A powdery substance added to your cutting’s water, root hormone may take a few days to generate roots on your cutting. For plants with roots intact, make sure the plant is kept well hydrated before transplant.

Into the Ground

After placing your plant in the ground, makes sure it receives plenty of water to encourage the roots to grow and pack the dirt securely around it. Add any fertilizer, plant food, or compost desired, as well as any mulch to discourage weeds from growing.

Giving your transplants and cuttings a fighting chance means a healthier, stronger garden or landscape scene once they take root.