If a clematis is full of sap in summer, it offers plenty of plant material for vital offshoots. Hobby gardeners favor this method for varietal propagation because it has the best chance of success. The following instructions explain in practical terms how to do it correctly.
How do I propagate clematis through cuttings?
To propagate Clematis cuttings, choose a 12-15 cm long shoot, remove all but one leaf, dip the cutting site in rooting agent and plant the cutting in nutrient-poor potting soil. Keep the substrate moist and place the pot in partial shade for 6-8 weeks.
This preparation creates ideal starting conditions for offshoots
Choose a shoot from the middle of a clematis for the cutting. Make the upper cut just above a node and the lower cut below a leaf base. A perfect cutting is 12-15 centimeters long. Except for one leaf, every offshoot is then defoliated. Dip the lower interface in a rooting powder (€9.00 at Amazon), such as Algan or Wurzelfix, and set the cuttings aside to prepare the cultivation pots as follows:
- Carefully disinfect small pots with a diameter of at least 15 centimeters
- Place a small piece of pottery over the water drain
- Fill each pot three-quarters full with nutrient-poor potting soil
Finally, moisten the substrate well with water without completely wetting it. 4 wooden sticks or straws are inserted into the corners of the cultivation container in order to keep the cover that will later follow at a distance from the offshoot.
Planting and caring for offshoots correctly – this is how it works
Place the prepared cuttings of the clematis so deep that the leaf and substrate do not touch each other. Since clematis cuttings root much more efficiently in a warm, humid microclimate, place a transparent plastic film over the wooden sticks. This care promotes further growth:
- Place the cultivation pots in a semi-shady to shady location
- Ideally temperatures here are between 15 and 21 degrees Celsius
- Keep the substrate constantly moist without causing waterlogging
- Turn the cover inside out every day to allow moisture to drain away
Within 6 to 8 weeks, an independent root system develops on each offshoot of the clematis. If the first delicate strands grow out of the opening in the ground at the same time as a fresh shoot is sprouting, the process is proceeding as desired. As soon as a pot is completely rooted, plant the young clematis in its final location.
Tips & Tricks
Instead of buying rooting agents, knowledgeable hobby gardeners simply make it themselves. Annual willow branches contain an abundance of natural growth hormones as well as salicylic acid to ward off infections. Cut the rods into pieces, pour boiling water over them and let them steep for 24 hours. Then strain the broth – done.
