How to propagate vine plants is the process that will help you to increase your vine plant collection, conduct healthy experiments, and even share your favorite plants with your friends. Various ways to propagate vine plants include layering and stem cutting.
While stem cutting works best for most plants, layering is best for plants that are difficult to have more by propagating. So, whether you’re looking for how to propagate a snake plant, sweet potato vine, or any other plant, the guide below will help.
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How Do You Propagate Vine Plants By Stem Cutting?
The best way to propagate vine plants by stem cutting is first to decide your rooting medium, figure out the supplies you’ll need, get the cutting from the mother plant, and plant the cutting in its new home, depending on the propagating medium you’ve decided on.
1. Deciding Your Rooting Medium
If you’re looking to propagate pothos, sweet potato vine, and many other plants, the stem-cutting method is the option you wish to be working with. When propagating vine plants through this method, you first want to figure out whether or not you’d like your vine cuttings to be rooted in soil or water. For most beginner propagators, it’s recommended that you plant your cuttings in water till the roots develop.
You’ll be able to observe your vine plants properly and determine when to move them to a new home. On the other hand, most advanced propagators will opt for soil rooting. The reason is that soil rooting helps you avoid the transplant shock your plant will likely have when transplanting it from water to soil. Once you have decided on the best rooting medium, then you can go right in and start with what follows.
2. Grab the Supplies You’ll Need
The next step is to determine and acquire the tools and supplies you’ll need for your plant propagation. These supplies will make it easier for you to cut and transplant your vine plant, so gather a sharp cutting tool that can be used precisely without damaging your plants, such as a snip or pruning scissors.
Also, make sure you have some fresh water and a glass vase or tube if you want to root your plant in water. Have a small pot with drainage if you prefer to root your cutting in soil, some fresh soil for soil rooters, and lastly, rooting hormone and rubbing alcohol.
3. Get the Cutting From the Mother Plant
Now, you must be detailed about how the mother plant is the main plant you’ll be cutting from, which is why you can’t just cut any part of the mother plant and proceed to propagation. Knowing this, you must first try to familiarize yourself with the parts of the plant to determine the right spot to cut.
To elaborate further, be mindful of how you will be using the stem-cutting method, so this is why you will need to cut a part of the stem that has at least one node on it. The node of a stem is often at the opposite end of a leaf, and it can be described as a small bump that allows new roots to grow. You will require to ensure how the part of the stem you cut has one or two nodes so your propagated plant can form new roots.
Now, sterilize your cutting tool with rubbing alcohol and also try to sterilize the tool to help minimize the chances of dangerous bacteria spreading into the mother plant once it has been cut and try also to cut the vine at a selected node spot.
Make sure your cutting includes one to two nodes and two to four leaves. After doing so, take out your rooting hormone and dip the very end of the cutting into it.
Note that using a hormone only helps hasten the rooting process, so it’s an optional step, but if you wish to use some, then you may. However, you don’t have to use a hormone if you can’t find one. But now, just as you’re ready, plant your cutting in your preferred rooting medium.
4. Placing It in Water
Now, you must try to fill your glass jar or vase with fresh, clean water, and place the plant cutting in the water, ensuring the nodes get soaked. Get the jar to a warm spot where the plant can get indirect sunlight. Make sure that you would keep observing the plant until the roots start growing and develop to about one to three inches.
Remember that the root-growing process can take a while, as some roots may develop in two to six weeks while others may take months. Once the root has grown to the desired length, remove the cutting from the glass jar and move it to a new potted home. Then you can water the plant as you normally would once you’re done transplanting it into the soil.
5. Plants in Soil
Now, you have reached the part where you must place the plant in the soil and give it the right care so that it will develop and grow. For instance, if you’re doing something like grape vine propagation, then rooting your plants in soil is the best option.
Begin by pouring some fresh soil into your pot until it’s about 75 percent filled, and use your finger to make a puncture in the soil; the hole should be only a few inches deep. Then, put your cutting into the hole and add more soil until it reaches your pot’s top, making sure that you have secured the cutting by tapping down the surrounding soil.
Water the plant thoroughly until the soil becomes evenly moist. For this, you must try to make sure that you are using a pot that features a drainage system, as your cutting may experience decay if it’s too wet before it starts developing roots. To help improve the growth of your cutting, you can create a humid condition by placing a plastic freezer bag or large glass jar over the pot so that it helps retain humidity, which would, in turn, boost your plant’s growth.
How to Propagate Vine Plants By Layering?
Propagating vine plants by layering, you must first choose the right stem, prepare the stem, wait for root development, cut the stem, and finally plant the new vine. You’ll also need to employ the help of sphagnum moss to utilize this method.
1. Choosing the Right Stem
To propagate using the layering method, you need to make sure the vine plant you want to use as the mother plant is mature with healthy leaves and stems. It should have also developed above-ground roots as well for a better thrive.
2. Preparing the Main Stem
Once you’ve selected the right mother plant, and then you must make a small, shallow cut in the node or stem. Remember, do not cut the stem off of the mother plant, and now moisten your sphagnum moss and cover the stem with it. Lastly, cover the whole stem with plastic wrap so the moisture would be kept well.
3. Wait for the Roots to Develop
The time needed for the roots to develop may take a while, and the factor that is determined is the type of vine plant you’re trying to propagate. Some plants develop roots in weeks, while others may take months, but soon enough, you will see them shooting.
4. Cut and Plant the Stem
The mother plant will provide the propagated vine with nutrients and everything it needs to grow. The roots should form easily, depending on the type of plant you’re trying to propagate.
Just as the roots have developed to about an inch or more, cut the stem off of the mother plant. Now, you can try to cut it just below the stem and plant it in fresh, potting soil. Lastly, water the plant as you normally would, observe its growth, and provide adequate plant care.
Conclusion
Here we have a quick summary to make sure you’re equipped with all you need whether you’re propagating sweet potato vine or any other vine plant:
- You can choose to plant your stem cuttings in soil or water.
- Don’t forget to sterilize your tools before cutting the vine you want to propagate from the mother plant.
- New roots from the node may take a while to develop, so you’ll need to observe your cutting carefully.
- It’s recommended that you plant your cutting in water if you’re a beginner propagator, so you can observe it easily.
- For the layering method, wait to cut the stem off of the mother plant until the propagated stem has developed its own root and just as the roots have developed, go ahead and plant it.
Now you know so well how to propagate your vining plant and to have more of them grow and develop, so you’ll have a beautiful little garden with the right steps to help you understand how to propagate vine plant in water, how to propagate a plant in general, and where to cut a vine to propagate. Check out our list of Vines with white flowers to add to your garden!
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