Multiplying your favorite plants has never been easier. This simple and effective cuttings technique allows you to quickly obtain new plants of rosemary, fig tree, vine, lemon tree, tomato and many other plants. Whether you are a beginner or experienced gardener, this accessible method will allow you to create your own plants while saving money.
The bagged water cuttings method
The principle is remarkably simple: simply create a humid environment around the cutting to stimulate root formation. To start, select healthy branches 20 to 30 cm long. The next step is to clean the bottom 10cm of the stem by removing any leaves or needles. It is precisely on this bare part that the new roots will develop.
Then prepare plastic bags into which you will pour water. You can use regular rainwater or add cuttings hormone to speed up the rooting process. Place the cutting in the bag so that the leafless part is immersed in water. Close the bag tightly and hold it with a tie.
Store your cuttings in a warm place, but away from direct sunlight. Too much light could damage the fragile tissues of the cutting before it develops its root system.
Results according to plants
The time required for rooting varies between species. Rosemary develops its roots in 4 to 8 weeks. Once the roots are formed, transplant the young plants into small pots. When they have grown and formed a small bush, you can transfer them to larger containers.
For the fig tree, an even more surprising variation of this technique exists: the branch is not completely separated from the tree. Simply make an incision on your chosen branch, then place a bag filled with water around that area and secure it with a tie. The fig tree forms roots particularly quickly, in less than 4 weeks. Once the roots have developed, remove the sachet and completely cut off the rooted branch.
Adaptation of the method for other plants
This technique is available according to needs. For vine cuttings, you can replace the sachets with containers made from plastic cups filled with water. Vine cuttings root very well with this method, although the process takes a little longer than for rosemary or fig.
Lemon trees can also be successfully propagated by this technique. However, to obtain a lemon tree producing quality fruit, it will be necessary to carry out a subsequent graft, which represents an additional step in the cultivation of this citrus fruit.
The particular case of tomatoes
The tomato offers a unique opportunity for propagation. When pruning plants regularly, you normally remove suckers growing in the armpit between the main stem and side branches. Instead of throwing them away, simply immerse them in a container filled with ’ water, making sure that a good portion of the branch is submerged.
The roots develop very quickly on the part in contact with water, sometimes in just a few weeks. This gives you new tomato plants that you can immediately plant in the ground. These plants are particularly suitable for late tomato plantings, thus extending your harvest season.
Economic and practical advantages
This multiplication method has many advantages. It allows you to produce as many plants as you want at no additional cost. You can create plants for your own needs, give them to your loved ones who are passionate about gardening, or even sell them if you want to develop a small nursery business.The simplicity of this technique makes it accessible to everyone, regardless of your level of gardening experience. It does not require any sophisticated equipment: a few plastic bags, water and a little patience are enough to multiply your favorite plants and enrich your garden or your plant collection at a lower cost.
