Propagation is an exciting and useful process. Without spending money you can get many new plants to make the garden even more beautiful.
QUICK ANSWER: Heuchera can be propagated by cuttings and this is the easiest way. Cut off the top of a bush at least 2 inches long in late spring and plunge the cuttings into a sterile and moist substrate. Then move it to full shade, in a few weeks the roots will appear.
Read also: How to look after Heuchera properly.
When to take cuttings?
The best time to take cuttings is in early spring. This is when heuchera has already recovered from the winter and has even grown new leaves. The cuttings will be succulent and will quickly take root.
In addition, the cuttings will have a whole season to develop a root system and become a bush. By the end of the year, you will have a full-grown plant.
Also, the wounds on the mother plant will have time to heal by winter.
Do not take cuttings in the middle of summer, especially during intense heat. At this time, the plant has less water in its tissues, and the rooting process can be difficult.
How to take cuttings?
Wait until the heuchera stem is at least 3 inches long before taking cuttings. Cut off the top part of the stem at least 1.5 inches long. In a month or two, you won’t notice that the bush has been shortened.
Usually, one good-quality cutting comes out of one stem. Sometimes, the stem branches out, and you can get two to three cuttings.
You should not take cuttings less than 1 inch long. Such cuttings will take much longer to root and will not produce a complete plant until at least 2 years later.
Do not remove the leaves from the cuttings, as they stimulate the emergence of roots. Only remove dead or damaged leaves.
How to propagate?
Prepare a pot at least 4-6 inches wide and deep with drainage holes in the bottom. Fill it with a clean and moist seedling substrate. Quality substrate plays a vital role in propagation. If you use dirty soil, the cuttings may begin to rot.
Plunge the cuttings into a pot of soil at least an inch deep. Lightly press the soil so that the cuttings do not fall out of the pot. Water the cuttings with a little water.
Move the pot to full shade. It will also be an advantage if the spot is slightly humid. A shaded greenhouse would be ideal for rooting.
How long do Heuchera cuttings take to root?
In 2-4 weeks, the first roots will appear on the cuttings, but they will be very thin, so they should not be disturbed.
It will take the whole season to form a complete root system. For this reason, I recommended using pots at least 4-6 inches across. In such pots, the plant will have enough room for the whole year, and you won’t have to transplant it.
At the end of the year, check the root system’s size. You can do this by carefully removing the heuchera from the pot or by looking through the drainage holes for new roots.
If the root system is larger than the pot, you can transplant the bush to a garden or larger container.
Aftercare
For the first few months, you need to monitor the cuttings closely. Don’t let the soil in the pots dry out more than 1 inch.
The cuttings should be in the full shade in the first year. The result will be better if there is 60-70% humidity.
In the second month, you can water the cuttings with liquid fertilizer. Use a multi-purpose fertilizer. Make the solution half as weak as the manufacturer recommends. Repeat the watering after a few weeks.
If all is done correctly, the cuttings will have roots by fall and can be transplanted into the ground. But it is better to wait until next spring and only then transplant.
Read more: How To Propagate Coral Bells?
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