Plant Propagation # Stem Cutting

      Stem cutting is the simplest way of artificial vegetative plant propagation in which 4"--30" long stem piece with two nodes  is cut off just below the leaf-node and transferred to rooting media , after which planted with new roots .

   Stem are of four types:

(i) Hardwood cuttings

   (a) Mature hardwood of woody species is selected as mother plant.

   (b)  Season : Late fall to early spring for deciuous plants and late fall to late winter for evergreen plants .

   (c) Stem length : 4"--30" in case of deciduous plants and 4"--8" in case of evergreen plants.

  For deciuous plants cuttings may be of mallet  , heel or straight .

     In straight only the reguired stem is cut off . A mallet is the required stem with short section of older stem but in heel entire section of old wood is kept .

 e.g. Roses, Apple,Pear, Thuja etc.

(ii) Semi-hardwood cuttings

  (a) Stem is selected from partially mature wood 

  (b) Season : Late spring to late smmer.

  (c) 3"--6" long.

e.g. Citrus, olive ,etc.

(iii) Softwood cuttings

 (a) New and soft stem.

 (b) Season : Spring to early summer.

 (c) 3"--5" long .

 e.g. Magnolia 

(iv) Herbaceous cuttings.

  (a) Stem from non-woody plant .

  (b) All seasons i. e.any time in the year .

  (c) 3"--5" long.

 e.g. Sweet potato, a large number of floral crops .