Semi-Hardwood Cuttings: A Guide for Beginners
What are Semi-Hardwood Cuttings?
Semi-hardwood cuttings are taken from the stems of plants when they are partly, but not fully, mature. The wood is relatively firm but still flexible enough to bend easily and break with a snap. Semi-hardwood cuttings are usually taken between late summer and early fall.
Benefits of Semi-Hardwood Cuttings
Semi-hardwood cuttings are a great way to propagate new plants because they:
- Root easily
- Don’t require a lot of special knowledge
- Can be taken from a wide variety of plants
Types of Plants Suitable for Semi-Hardwood Cuttings
Semi-hardwood cuttings can be taken from a wide variety of plants, including:
- Evergreens: Butterfly bush, holly, arborvitae, jasmine, barberry, camellia, English ivy, yew
- Deciduous: Dogwood, blueberry, honeysuckle, forsythia, rose, quince
How to Take Semi-Hardwood Cuttings
To take semi-hardwood cuttings, you will need:
- Clean, sharp pruners or a sharp knife
- A healthy plant with no signs of pests or disease
- A container filled with sterile, unfertilized potting mix or clean, coarse sand
- Cut the stem just below a node, which is the small protrusion where leaves, buds, or branches will grow.
- Cuttings should be unbranched and as straight as possible.
- Ideal length is about 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm.).
- Strip the leaves from the lower half of the stem, but leave at least two upper leaves intact.
Rooting Semi-Hardwood Cuttings
- Plant semi-hardwood cuttings in a container filled with sterile, unfertilized potting mix or clean, coarse sand.
- You may want to dip the stem in rooting hormone just prior to inserting the cuttings in the potting mix.
- Water enough to settle the potting mix around the stem.
- Cover the pot with a plastic bag to create a greenhouse-like environment.
- Place the pot in indirect sunlight.
- Water as needed to keep the potting mix lightly moist but not soggy.
- Cuttings may root in a few weeks or several months, depending on the plant.
Transplanting Semi-Hardwood Cuttings
When the roots are 1/2 inch to 1 inch long (1-2.5 cm.), remove the plastic and move the cuttings to individual containers. At this point, you can feed the young plant using a diluted water-soluble fertilizer. Move the plant outdoors when it is mature enough to tolerate outdoor heat and cold, usually after a couple of growing seasons.
Tips for Taking and Rooting Semi-Hardwood Cuttings
- Use clean, sharp tools to avoid damaging the cuttings.
- Take cuttings from healthy plants with no signs of pests or disease.
- Cuttings should be taken when the stems are partly, but not fully, mature.
- Remove the leaves from the lower half of the stem to reduce water loss.
- Keep the potting mix moist but not soggy.
- Provide the cuttings with indirect sunlight.
- Be patient, as rooting can take several weeks or months.
