Perennial Cuttings: An Alternative to Seed Starting

Introduction
As we cozy up in our homes this chilly February, the dreams of lush perennial gardens begin to take root in the minds of gardeners across Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal. While starting perennials from seeds is a common practice, there's another method that can yield faster, sometimes more reliable results: starting from cuttings. This technique allows gardeners to bypass some of the uncertainties of seed starting, offering a shortcut to robust plants that carry all the genetic traits of their parent. Let's delve into the world of perennial cuttings and how this alternative to seed starting could revolutionize your gardening game.

The Advantages of Starting Perennials from Cuttings

1. Faster Establishment: Cuttings can lead to mature plants more quickly than seeds, as they skip the germination stage and often grow faster.

2. True to Type: Plants grown from cuttings are genetically identical to the parent plant, ensuring you get exactly the variety you want, complete with its specific flowers, foliage, and growth habits.

3. Economical: Producing your own plants from cuttings can be more cost-effective than purchasing new plants each season.

4. Disease Reduction: By selecting healthy parent plants for cuttings, you can reduce the risk of starting with seeds that might carry diseases.

How to Take Perennial Cuttings

1. Choose the Right Time: Early spring or late summer are typically the best times to take cuttings for most perennials, although some may root more readily at different times.

2. Select Healthy Parent Plants: Choose strong, disease-free plants as sources for your cuttings to ensure the best start.

3. Cutting Technique: With a clean, sharp knife or scissors, cut a 4-6 inch section of stem, ideally just below a leaf node. Remove the lower leaves, leaving two or three at the top.

4. Rooting Medium: Plant the cuttings in a sterile, light, and airy medium like perlite, vermiculite, or a sand and peat mix. Ensure the container has good drainage.

5. Moisture and Warmth: Keep the soil consistently moist (but not waterlogged) and place the cuttings in a warm spot with indirect light. A plastic cover can help maintain humidity.

6. Rooting Hormone: Though not always necessary, using a rooting hormone can increase the success rate, especially for harder-to-root perennials.

Aftercare for Cuttings

Once your cuttings have established roots (typically after a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on the species), gradually acclimate them to outdoor conditions if they were started indoors. This process, known as hardening off, prepares them for transplanting into the garden.

Common Perennials for Cuttings

Many perennials respond well to propagation from cuttings, including but not limited to:

• Sedums
• Salvias
• Lavenders
• Chrysanthemums

Experimenting with different plants can be both fun and rewarding, expanding your garden without the need for constant new seed purchases.

FAQs

Q: Can all perennials be propagated from cuttings?
A: While many can, some perennials do not root well from cuttings and are better started from seed or division. Research your specific plant's propagation preferences for best results.

Q: How long do cuttings take to root?
A: The rooting time varies by species, ranging from a few weeks to several months. Patience is key, as is maintaining consistent moisture and warmth.

Q: Do cuttings need special care once planted outdoors?
A: Like any young plant, cuttings benefit from regular watering, especially as they establish in their new location, and protection from extreme weather and pests.

Conclusion

Starting perennials from cuttings offers an exciting, efficient way to expand your garden in Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal. Whether you're looking to replicate a favorite plant or share with fellow gardening enthusiasts, cuttings can be a rewarding alternative to traditional seed starting. With a little patience and care, you can watch these snippets of plants transform into flourishing additions to your perennial beds, bringing beauty and life to your garden season after season.