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Words TAMMY HUYNH

Are there gaps in your garden that need filling? For most gardeners, there’s always room for more plants – and the good news is you can boost your collection using what you already have.

Propagation is a way of creating new plants from existing ones. As gardening editor Rachel Clare explains, propagating is enjoyable and economical, allowing you to share your plants with friends and family for free. “You end up with more plants, including types of plants that can be harder to find, plus it makes you think of the person who gave it to you or the place it came from,” she says. There are several different ways to do this – read on to find out how.

Sowing from seed

Mr Fothergill’s recommends following the instructions on the back of each seed pack to get the best results.

You can also collect and use your own seed from most plants. Seed heads are produced once flowers are finished – don’t deadhead blooms if you want to collect seed. The process varies between plants, so it’s best to do a little research first – for example, you can harvest seed from ripe tomatoes, but you need to wait for the seedpods to dry on coriander.

Ideally, seed should be collected from open-pollinated varieties, that is, plants pollinated by natural means, as opposed to hybrid plants. Hybrids have been artificially crossed to produce plants with desirable traits, but seeds from hybrids won’t always grow ‘true-to-type’ and resulting plants may be different to the parents.

best with evergreen and herbaceous perennials that have a clumping habit, such as hostas, clivias, salvias, asters, Phormium and ornamental grasses. Over time, as these plants spread, they can become crowded and won’t perform or flower as well as they used to. So dividing them gives you more stock to fill gaps and keeps the parent plants looking their best.

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Seeds are one of nature’s wonderful gifts, containing everything needed to grow a plant from scratch, all bundled into a tiny package. Most plants can be grown from seed, although some may require extra measures such as soaking or scarification (weakening the seed coating) to encourage germination. Sowing requirements vary according to plant type, too, so

Bianca Boman of

Plant division

Dividing plants involves removing and replanting a section of the parent plant that has its own roots. It works

To divide a clump, dig around the edge of the plant and use a garden fork to gently lift it out of the ground or pot. Gently tease apart the root ball; if it’s difficult to work with, use a sharp knife or spade to divide it, ensuring each section has viable roots and shoots. “Replant or repot each plant in a good-quality mix and water regularly to keep the mix moist,” says Bianca. Most perennials and some ornamental grasses should be divided in winter or early spring, before new growth has started.

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Stem cuttings

Many indoor and perennial plants can be propagated with stem cuttings. To do this, cut a non-flowering stem at the top on a 45 degree angle, above the node. Cutting should be a minimum of 15cm long with at least a few nodes, removing all but a few of the upper leaves. On the bottom, cut straight, just below the node. “Aid growth by dipping the base of the cutting in rooting hormone,” suggests Rachel. “Or dip cuttings into active mānuka honey with a UMF of 15.” Plant about a third of each cutting into a gritty mix of perlite, vermiculite or sand and leave in a humid spot out of direct sunlight. “You can increase the humidity by placing the pot in a plastic bag,” says Rachel. “Don’t forget to water your cuttings, too.”

If propagating indoors or during cooler months, Bianca advises using a heat pad that helps mimic spring soil temperatures, and encourages roots and shoots to develop faster. Stem cuttings can also be propagated in water. “Change the water weekly, and when enough roots form, transplant into individual pots,” says Bianca.

Layering

This involves encouraging the parent plant to produce new plants, which remain attached while they grow roots. Once healthy roots have formed, the new plants can be severed and transplanted. “Layering works best with plants like monstera and devil’s

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blackberries, strawberries, azaleas, rhododendron ivy that develop aerial roots,” says Bianca Boman. “It also works well for plants like strawberries that root easily when nodes touch the ground.”

Layering is best done in spring and summer when plants are actively growing. “Bend stems downwards, pin the nodes to the ground and lightly cover with soil,” says Bianca (see above). For indoor plants, especially those with thicker stems like philodendrons and monstera, try aerial-layering. Cover a node with moistened sphagnum moss and wrap with plastic to keep it moist. When roots form, the new plant is ready to be detached and transplanted.

Keep in mind…

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