In a post back in November I wrote my first "Owt for nowt" post which described how easy it was to grow lots of new lavender plants from cuttings. This post just shows that you can find cutting material from an unexpected source.
Although we do grow lots of flowers for cutting we can't produce a supply of cut flowers throughout the winter months and so I do at times have to resort to buying in. One type of flower that I often buy is dianthus and if I am lucky this also provides me with an unexpected bonus.
Sometimes there are offshoots, such as the ones shown below, lower down the stem.
If you are lucky you can gathering plenty of cutting material from one bunch of flowers. The side shoots can be pulled away from the main stem quite easily. The photo below shows the number of cuttings gathered from a recent bunch of flowers.
Each of the cutting material was trimmed to just below a leaf node and leaves were carefully (the stem will snap easily at a leaf node) pulled off to leave a bare section of stem.
Each prepared cutting was inserted around the edge of a small plant pot containing a mix of compost and vermiculite.
Last year cuttings taken in this way produced small plants that I planted on the plot and hope will bulk up a little next year if they make it through winter.
Posts
It's a good idea to look for cutting material in bought in flowers, there's often lots to be had, as demonstrated here.
ReplyDeleteNext time I'll just choose a different colour, Jo
DeleteYou got great value out of that bunch of flowers. Good tip.
ReplyDeleteAnd the flowers are still going strong a week later, Jessica
DeleteNice. Thanks for the idea.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure tpals
DeleteI hope that not many florists are reading your post!
ReplyDeleteI think some have already cottoned on Mark
DeleteThat's a great idea Sue, I never thought of doing something like that.
ReplyDeleteHave a go, Jo
DeleteWhat a marvelous idea! I took a rose offshoots earlier this year, I do hope they grow. I do love free plants!xxx
ReplyDeleteDid the rose grow, Dina?
DeleteA brilliant idea, it's so satisfying to make new plants like this isn't it. We always had dianthus in the garden when I was little, I used to pick them for my grandmothers.
ReplyDeleteI always think of them as old fashioned flowers, CJ
DeleteThat's sweet idea! Hope they grow well and give a lot of blooms!
ReplyDeleteIf only one or two grow I'll be happy, Malar
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