I have a huge multi-tiered flowerbed in the shape of a cone at my dacha. Every year I plant it with multi-colored petunias, it looks very impressive. The mother-in-law is surprised, because she believes that I spend a lot of money on seedlings. In fact, I know a simple and economical way to propagate seedlings. For seven years of growing these unpretentious plants, I have identified the simplest and most effective methods for cutting petunias, which I am ready to share with you.
Rooting cuttings in the ground
I propagate by cuttings with petunia during the period when the seedlings begin to bush, enter the phase of active growth. By the way, I grow seedlings myself from seeds, sow in winter – in January or February. Thanks to cuttings, from one packet of seeds by May I get a huge amount of seedlings – more than 100 individual plants.
For grafting petunias, I use cups made of covering material (I use No. 17), which I sew myself. The width for each glass is 10-12 cm, the height is 11-13 cm. I soak the glass material with potassium humate in advance. At the bottom of each glass I put sawdust, which I also saturate with humate. I fill them with loose soil (using a generic one purchased from a flower shop) and place them in a shallow drawer or tray. I water it to the moisture content of the soil.
I cut the cuttings from the sprouted seedlings – I use the tops of the branches, which have two full leaves. The optimal size for cuttings is 5-7 cm. I cut large leaves on cuttings in half, otherwise they will take energy from the plant. I dip the place of the cut into Kornevin and only after that I carefully plant it in the ground.
I cover the tray with cuttings with a transparent material, forming a greenhouse. For this I use clear plastic cake boxes. I cover it not very tightly, leaving a small gap between the lid and the tray. I place the cuttings on a sunny windowsill.
Rooting cuttings in water
Petunia takes root well in water. For this method, I use disposable food containers with lids, in which I make small holes (I use a soldering iron for this, but you can make holes with a knife or scissors). I pour 5-7 cm of water into the container.
I cut off the tops from petunia seedlings, from which I further remove large leaves. The length of the cuttings should be 5-7 cm, which should be taken into account when choosing a container – the plant should reach the water. I dip the cut cuttings in Kornevin and place them in the holes of the container. It is important in this case that the cut is immersed in water, but the leaves do not touch the liquid.
After 3 weeks, the cuttings acquire a sufficiently strong root system, and they can be planted in the ground.
Rooting in soil impregnated with Energen
This method of rooting cuttings requires a little preliminary preparation. In addition to the usual Kornevin, I use Energen in capsules, which must be dissolved in water beforehand. I dissolve 1 capsule in 1 liter of water. I prefer to plant in a deep tray. I distribute the soil (universal) evenly over the tray and spill it with diluted Energen. The ground should be wet, but there should be no liquid in it.
I cut the cuttings from the seedlings, the standard size is about 5 cm. I cut off the large leaves, dip the cut in Kornevin. It is important to plant the cuttings immediately, do not let the juice dry on the cut. When all the petunia is planted, I spill the soil with Energen a little more. I form a greenhouse using a cake lid (or using ready-made greenhouses for seedlings) and place it where the cuttings will be protected from direct sunlight.
Rooting petunia in peat tablets
For this method, I pre-soak peat tablets in a solution of water and Kornevin. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of powder in 2 liters of water. I place the tablets on the bottom of deep disposable plastic containers.
I cut the cuttings, as in the previous rooting methods. I do not process the slices with Kornevin, I immediately make small holes in the tablets (you can use a knife or pencil for this) and put the cuttings there. I crush the tablets around the edges with my fingers a little to secure the plant. I close the containers and place them on the windowsill under the sun’s rays. Once a day, I open the greenhouse for 5 minutes to ventilate.
Cutting a petunia is an easy and cheap way to propagate it. Thanks to him, I plant flower beds in the yard with bright and multi-colored flowers at a minimal cost. The plant takes root well, the materials necessary for grafting are available at the dacha of every gardener. Success is guaranteed!
