7 tricks for stem rooting to get more of your favourite plants

Here are some essential things to know to make your stem rooting projects successful.

Stem-tip cuttings are often the first choice for rooting, but you can also use other sections of the stem.

• As long as there is a pair of leaves at the top of the cutting, nodes near the tip will quickly replace the lost ones at the tip, and you'll have a new plant that's branched at the base, too.

Certain large-leafed species of rhododendron, including Rhododendron minus 'Scintillation', are fairly difficult to propagate; roots form in the stem and are then stopped by the bark layer, which is sensitive to hormones.

• To remedy this, make a vertical wound on one side of the cutting with a grafting knife, lift or remove the flap of bark and treat only the exposed stem with hormone powder.
• Roots will grow from the callus tissue around the wound.

Heirloom, English, miniature and many modern roses are good candidates for cuttings because they grow well on their own roots and don't necessarily need grafting.

• Between bloom cycles, take eight centimetres cuttings from new growth, keeping four leaflets intact.
• They will root in a few weeks when kept warm and moist.

Cuttings from some shrubs, such as buddleias and roses, can be rooted in the shade of larger plants that get regular irrigation.

• Protect the cuttings with upturned glass jars, removing the jars when watering.

Cuttings that include a small heel from where the stem attached to a larger stem often root better than those taken from the tips — especially with woody plants, such as lavender or evergreen shrubs.

The stems of some houseplants and even tomatoes will root in a glass of water.

• Cover the filled glass or a narrow-necked bottle with a piece of aluminum foil and push the cuttings gently through, making sure that any leaves remain above the foil.
• Keep the water topped up and replace it completely if it turns green.
• When roots are more than 2.5 centimetres long, pot the cuttings in moist potting mix. Cuttings left in water too long can be slow to adapt to soil.

• If you must transport unrooted cuttings, enclose them in a plastic bag with a bit of moist paper towel or newspaper.
• Better still, keep them fresh in an ice chest or a thermos with a few ice cubes.
• If you have access to a refrigerator when you stop for the night, place the cuttings inside — but don't forget them!

Make your own container to transport cuttings.

• Cut off the top of a plastic jug or soft-drink bottle and place moist sphagnum moss or florist's oasis inside, then insert the cuttings into the damp material.