Preparing
Plants For Taking Cuttings
Growers
often neglect to provide the stock plant with proper care before
taking cuttings. Correct stock plant preparation will increase
the survival rate and shorten the rooting time of the cutting.
Also, healthy, new growth will likely develop sooner.
How do I
select a stock plant?
Choose a strong, healthy plant
that has the characteristics you want to encourage in future
crops. Some of the most important characteristics for plant selection
include:
genetic maturity; growth traits; and disease resistance.
1. Genetic Maturity: the stock plant, if started from a seed, should
be at least 3 months old. Taking a cutting from a plant that
was a cutting from the original stock plant (second generation)
is also acceptable but keep in mind that the new plant (third
generation) will not make a good stock plant.
2. Growth
Traits: size, vigour,
abundant flower and fruit production, taste.
3. Disease
Resistance: select only
healthy plants that have shown resistance to disease. Avoid the
temptation of taking a cutting from the healthy growth of a diseased
plant.
During what stage of
growth should a cutting a be taken?
A plant should be prepared for
cutting during the active vegetative growth stage. At this stage
the plant's growth hormones necessary for rapid root development
are present.
Can I take a cutting
from a plant in flower?
Yes, but a cutting taken while
the stock plant is flowering will force the cutting to revert
to a vegetative state. This causes additional stress, slowing
growth and development. Rooting may take up to three times longer
when the cuttings are taken during the flowering cycle. The cutting
may not have enough stored nutrients or carbohydrates to survive.
What should I feed my
plants prior to taking cuttings?
While the stock plant is in the
active vegetative growth stage feed it with a good quality, all-purpose
or high Nitrogen fertilizer. One week before taking a cutting
feed the stock plants with a low nitrogen, high Phosphorus flowering
fertilizer. The flowering fertilizer will lower the amount of
stored nitrogen in the plant and increase the amount of stored
carbohydrates necessary for the production of roots. Spraying
the foliage with water daily will accelerate this process.
What hormone/stress relief
products can I feed my plants prior to taking cuttings?
It is important that growth enhancing
supplements be present in cuttings prior to introduction to grow
mediums. The best way to ensure the presence of these products
is to feed the stock plant 1 week before the cutting is taken.
This method has proven to accelerate the rooting process. The
following products are known to enhance growth rates and will
benefit the health and prosperity of both the stock plant and
cutting: (choose one for best results).
Nutri-Boost - A plant growth hormone which has been
developed to greatly enhance the root growth of all plants under
stress. It contains a botanical mix of vitamins and auxins which
promote root growth. These provide a stressed plant with the
enhanced natural ability to replace roots damaged by stress and
create healthy new roots.
Growth Plus/Nitrozyme - These products are natural marine
algae extract plant food containing many of the nutrients that
plants require for vigorous healthy growth. They are also rich
in cytokinins, a natural plant hormone that accelerates cellular
division and growth during all stages of development. When used
as a foliar spray these products may be combined with other plant
supplements.
Power Thrive/Thrive Alive - Made from all natural kelp meal these
products are rich in naturally occurring plant nutrients and
hormones. These products are also fortified with vitamin B1 which
has been proven to increase a plants ability to overcome stress
and promote vital plant systems.
Vita Max - A scientifically created formula designed to
enhance, increase and protect plant growth. It contains over
60 minerals, vitamins, micro-elements and natural plant growth
hormones used together to benefit and bolster the internal health
and appearance of all plants.
SUPERthrive - No one, except the creator of this
product, really knows exactly what is in SUPERthrive Vitamins-Hormones
Solution. It is known that this product works very well at increasing
growth rates, plant productivity and reviving plants under stress.
Will these preparations
benefit the stock plant following the cutting harvest?
Definitely! A prepared stock
plant will recover faster from the stress of heavy pruning. New
growth will be strong and healthy thus allowing the grower to
use the same stock plant for future cutting harvests.
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If you
require answers to any further questions please direct them to
our E-mail at info@solarhydroponics.com
or call 1-800-663-0389 during regular business hours (Pacific
Time).
A personal
thank you to the customers of Solar Supply for all of the constructive
feedback. |
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