Melinda's Garden Moment Radio Tips
Melinda Myers
Nationally known gardening expert, TV/Radio host, author & columnist with over 30 years of horticulture experience and tons of gardening information to share! www.melindamyers.comMelinda's Garden Moment videos will help you create that beautiful landscape you’ve always wanted. Each week throughout the growing season, a new gardening video will be added right here, so be sure to stop back. You can also watch Melinda’s Garden Moments on your local network TV station affiliate.
Create a new plant from your favorite heirloom vine or shrub with layering. Try using this method with raspberries, climbing roses, forsythia, and jasmine.
Select a long pliable stem. Make a notch halfway through the stem about 9 to 12 inches below the end of the stem. Sprinkle a rooting hormone over the cut area to ward off rot and speed rooting.
Bury the notched portion of the stem in the surrounding garden soil or a pot filled with a well-drained potting mix.
Leave the top 6 to 9 inches of the stem above ground. Anchor the stem with a stone or wire wicket to keep the notched portion covered with soil.
Keep the soil moist to encourage rooting. The parent plant will continue to provide water and nutrients to this stem as the roots develop. In several months you can disconnect the newly rooted plant from its parent.
Plant and provide proper care.
A bit more information: Layering can work on a variety of indoor and outdoor plants. Look for plants with long pliable stems. Try starting in late spring or early summer to give your plants plenty of time to develop roots.