The easiest and, in our latitudes, usually the only way to propagate a poinsettia is to take cuttings. What you need to consider when cutting and caring for poinsettia offshoots.
How do I propagate poinsettias from cuttings?
To successfully propagate poinsettia cuttings, cut 8-10 cm long cuttings in spring, close the interfaces, remove lower leaves, use rooting powder and place them in potting soil. Care for them at least 20 degrees and bright, indirect lighting.
The best time to take cuttings
If you want to grow a poinsettia from cuttings, you must maintain a he althy plant at home.
Even under the best conditions, reproduction does not always go smoothly. Many cuttings do not root, even if you have done everything correctly. Therefore, always cut a few more cuttings than you actually need.
The best time for taking cuttings is spring. The plant should already have bloomed.
Prepare the cutting properly
Cut cuttings about eight to ten centimeters long. Place the interfaces in hot water for a short time or hold them over a candle or lighter. This closes the cut and no more toxic milky juice can escape.
Remove all bottom leaves. If the top leaves are very large, cut them in half with scissors. Then there is less risk of the cuttings drying out.
Add rooting powder to the bottom side. This increases the likelihood that the cutting will later sprout roots.
Setting cuttings and continuing to care for them
Prepare pots with potting soil. It should not be too firm and should be able to store water well. Make sure that the pots have a sufficiently large drainage hole to prevent waterlogging.
Insert the cuttings approximately three centimeters deep into the substrate and press the soil firmly.
Set them
- warm (from 20 degrees)
- bright
- not too sunny
- protected from drafts
Repotting poinsettia cuttings
It may take some time for the cuttings to form roots. You can tell that the propagation has been successful because new leaves are forming.
After rooting, pot the offshoots of your poinsettia into larger pots and care for them like adult plants.
Tip
Inexpensive poinsettias bought in the supermarket are usually not suitable for propagation. Offshoots grown from such plants are often sickly and die very quickly.
