Take Cutting Now to Overwinter Annuals

It’s never too early to start preparing for winter. Start taking cuttings from annuals and herbs you want to over winter indoors. Your garden plants are healthier and will root faster now than they will later in the season.

Coleus, geraniums, wax begonia, impatiens, fuchsias, and herbs are just a few plants that can be saved this way.

Take a 4 to 6 inch cutting from the tip of a healthy stem. Remove any flowers or buds and the lowest set of leaves.

Place the cutting in moist vermiculite, perlite or a well-drained potting mix.

Set in a bright location out of direct light. Loosely cover with an open plastic bag to increase the humidity around your cutting. Water often enough to keep the soil evenly moist, but not soggy.

Plant rooted cuttings in a well-drained potting mix, move to a sunny window and care for them as you would your other houseplants.

A bit more information: Increase your success with a rooting compound. Dip the cut end in a rooting hormone to encourage rooting and discourage rot.