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i have a house plant that is large and kind of tropical and tree like-- someone broke 2 of the large branches off --i am wondering if i can plant those? i know it would help if i knew the name but i do not--the branches are woody---if i try and plant them do i start them in water or dirt? do i use root stimulater?
Well, I'm new at this too, but from what I've figured out most things will root from cuttings. I have rooted some dumb cane from cane cuttings and they say dracaenas root easily as well. I'd give it a shot. Normally, I think with a cane cutting you should cut the branches so you have 6 inch pieces. You can root in water, but I've heard that sometimes when you transfer the cuttings to soil after they've rooted, the roots can't handle the heavier dirt because they grow finer roots in water. Most people recommend root stimulator...I've rooted quite a few things this spring without using it though. Using stimulator will definately up your chances of it taking off though. Then, I think you should keep them moist, but never soggy. Keep the cuttings out of direct sunlight until they've rooted(if the original tree is in the sun now...). The sunlight can over stress the plant...it's busy trying to put out roots...Hope that helps a little. Oh, dracaenas have woody type branches, that could be what it is...if you can get a pic I'm sure someone can ID it for you...
Planolinda: I would give it a try! If you have two branches, why not put one in water and the other in soil. Keep them in bright light but no direct sunlight and the one in soil make sure you keep it moist but not soaking wet. I like to use rooting hormone which helps stimulate root production. If you had a photo we could identify the plant for you.
Good luck and please keep us posted on whether or not you are able to root your branches!
Just a simple, but related question...Are all root stimulators the same? I have some plants I would like to take cuttings from, but have never done anything other that rooting in water. Do I need special soil for it as well?
If you're rooting cuttings, you probably want a rooting hormone, not a root stimulator (although the root stimulator may help once you have some roots). The majority of rooting hormones out there have indolebutyric acid as the active ingredient, so in that sense they're fairly similar. Some are powders, some are gels, and some you can mix up at different strengths (higher level of actives is better for rooting things that are harder to root).
Root stimulators often have a number of different vitamins and things in them but you'll probably find more variation in ingredients than you do in the world of rooting hormones. Super Thrive is a fairly popular one that many people swear by. It won't help your cuttings root, but once they have some roots it may help them develop faster.
Deerchaser: I use a Rooting Hormone I get at Home Depot that is made by Schultz and it's called Take Root. It's in a 2oz container and it's a powder. It works really well. I use it for rooting everything from African Violet's to Hibiscus cuttings! All I do is wet the stem, or branch of what I want to root and dip it in the powder and then pot it in regular ole' potting soil.
LOL, re: Photographic composition??!!! It was late last night and all I did was sit the little tub on top of my aquarium/terrarium to take a pic. I have a digital camera and still can't take half way decent photo's! I'm just glad it showed up so you can read the name!
Much appreciated! By the way, did you check out the other question I posted under "One obsession leads to another" in Beginner Houseplants? No one has responded yet, and I value your opinion.
