ROOT CUTTINGS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 July 1940, Page 9

ROOT CUTTINGS

PROPAGATING PERENNIALS. A method of propagation which can be applied to many perennials, which cannot be divided readily, is by cuttings prepared from pieces of root. Moreover, this system can be put into effect at once, and July is probably the- best month to carry out the work. More plants than some gardeners realise, can be increased in this manner. Not only does it make it possible to increase stock very rapidly, but in some cases, plants produced from root cuttings are much healthier than those obtained by any other method of vegetative propagation. This is particularly marked in the case of perennial phlox which have been attacked by stem eelworms. These microscopic pests infest the shoots and crowns heavily, but are not found in the roots. Root cuttings can in consequence be taken from plants which have been badly attacked, with confidence that clean plants can be obtained. The principle is the same in all cases but the method differs a little in the type of roots with which one has to deal. Root cuttings of plants that have thick, thongy roots, such as anchusas. verbascums, statice latifolia and oriental poppies are best prepared from stout roots cut into-pieces about two inches in length, a sloping cut being made at the base of each cutting. Four-inch pots provided with some drainage are filled with a sandy, compost and the cuttings pushed into these until they are just covered with soil. By making the cut sloping at the bottom of the cutting it is an easy matter to place them the right way up. With thinner roots such as those of herbaceous phlox, gaillardias and remneya. it is sufficient to cut the roots into pieces one to one and a half inches in length and strew these thinly in seed boxes which have been three parts filled with a sandy compost. The roots arc then covered with a quarter inch of compost. Whichever type of root is being used, the subsequent treatment is the same. Place the pots or boxes in a cool greenhouse or frame and water moderately until shoots appear, then gradually increasing supplies of water should be given. The plants are then hardened off like the usual run of seedlings grown in boxes.. By November the plants should be large enough to line out in nursery rows where they will make good plants for putting in permanent quarters for next winter.