Take cuttings of summer annuals now before cool weather arrives

As hard as it may be to accept, summer is drawing to and end here in Maine, with only a few short weeks left for growing tender annuals in the garden. Of course, hardier plants such as mums will continue to bloom well into the fall - but for those that simply cannot tolerate the cold, its time to either move them inside or take stem cuttings to grow them inside as houseplants.

I've opted for stem cuttings and actually spent the day doing just that. I must admit I'm rather proud of  myself because I typically wait until it's too late and then rush to save my plants.

The easiest way to root cuttings from annuals, such as begonia, coleus and impatiens is to root them in water. They make attractive plants on the window sill while rooting, and its easy to tell when and if they root.


                                           Rooting Stem Cuttings in Water

• Cut four to six inch cuttings from the growning tips of your annuals.
• Remove the leaves on the bottom two to four inches of the stem.
• Place the cuttings in a jar or vase of water.
• Set the cuttings in a window that receives bright light - but avoid placing them in direct sunlight.
• Check the water daily and replace it if it becomes cloudy or smelly.
• Top off the water daily to replace water lost to evaporation.
• Plant the cuttings in soil once the roots are two to three inches long.

                                                               Until next time ... HAPPY GARDENING!