How to Take Semi-Ripe Cuttings: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

Taking semi-ripe cuttings is an excellent way to create new plants and expand your garden’s diversity. This method is particularly useful for a wide range of evergreen shrubs, trees, herbs, climbers, and ground-cover plants. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the process of how to take semi-ripe cuttings, identify which plants this method is suitable for, and provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to propagate your plants successfully. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, this semi-ripe cuttings tutorial will equip you with the necessary knowledge to expand your garden in a cost-effective and rewarding way.

Benefits of Taking Semi-ripe Cuttings

The process of taking semi-ripe cuttings offers numerous benefits. Firstly, it’s a cost-effective way to increase the variety of your garden. Instead of buying new plants, you can propagate your existing ones. This not only saves you money but also allows you to replicate your favorite plants. Secondly, it’s a rewarding experience. There’s a unique satisfaction in watching a cutting grow into a healthy plant. This process allows you to engage with nature on a deeper level, understanding the life cycle of plants, and appreciating the beauty of growth and development. Thirdly, it’s a great way to preserve the characteristics of a plant. If you have a plant that you particularly love, taking semi-ripe cuttings allows you to create an exact genetic copy of it. Lastly, it’s a fun and educational activity. It provides an opportunity to learn more about plant growth and development, and it’s a great activity to do with children to teach them about nature.

Introduction to Semi-Ripe Cuttings

Semi-ripe cuttings, also known as semi-hardwood cuttings, are taken from plants that have partially matured. This means they are in between very soft new growth and hard woody growth. The best time to take your semi-ripe cuttings is from late summer through mid-autumn. The stems you’re looking for are those with hard bases but still soft tips. Before mid-summer, you should propagate your plants by taking softwood cuttings, and after mid-autumn, take hardwood cuttings as the wood hardens. This method of propagation has been used for centuries and is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of plants. By understanding and utilising this method, you’re participating in a time-honored gardening tradition.

What You Need

To take semi-ripe cuttings, you’ll need a few essential tools and materials. These include a healthy plant to take cuttings from, a sharp knife or secateurs, a pot or tray with cutting compost (e.g. John Innes No. 3 Mature Plant Potting Seedling Compost), and a small watering can. You may also need a plastic bag to keep the cuttings moist, a dibber or small stick to make holes in the compost and plant labels to identify your cuttings. Optional tools include hormone rooting powder to encourage root growth and a propagator to maintain a high-humidity environment for your cuttings. Each of these tools plays a crucial role in the process. For example, the secateurs ensure a clean cut, minimizing damage to the parent plant and the cutting. The compost provides the nutrients the cutting needs to develop roots, and the propagator creates the ideal environment for root growth.

Below are my picks of various items needed:

1. Tierra Garden One Piece Potting Tray
2. Draper Grafting & Budding Knife 
3. BearMoo Sharpening Stone 
4. Westland 30l No 2 John Innes Potting On Compost
5. Grow It Round Fibre Pots 8cm Pack of 48 by Gardman 
6. Flexible Plastic Chopping Board Set 
7. Garland Large High Dome Propagator 
8.10l Watering Can by Geli                                                                                                                      9. Garden Dibber

📚RECOMMENDED READING 📚
RHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants 4th edition
This is THE definitive planting guide for all your questions – an unrivaled encyclopedia.

Step-by-Step Guide

Taking semi-ripe cuttings involves several steps. First, you need to identify a suitable stem for your plant. Look for a firm stem at the base but still soft at the tip. Once you’ve found a suitable stem, use your knife or secateurs to cut it just below a leaf node. Then, prepare your cutting by removing any leaves from the bottom half. Next, make a hole in the compost with your dibber or small stick and insert the cutting. If you’re using hormone rooting powder, dip the bottom of the cutting before planting. Finally, water the cutting and place a label with the plant’s name and the date next to it. Each step is crucial to the success of your semi-ripe cuttings. For example, removing the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting reduces water loss and prevents rot when the cutting is planted. Similarly, using hormone-rooting powder can increase the chances of successful root development.

Below is one of our Youtube videos:
“HOW TO TAKE SEMI-RIPE CUTTINGS FROM CISTUS – PROPAGATING ROCK ROSE” is a detailed guide on how to propagate Cistus (Rock Rose) plants using semi-ripe cuttings. The video is divided into several sections, each focusing on a different aspect of the propagation process.

Here’s a summary of the video content:

1. Introduction (0:00): The video begins with an introduction to taking semi-ripe cuttings, emphasizing that it’s one of the easiest and cheapest ways of propagating plants.

2. Which Part of The Plant to Look For (1:47): John then explains how to identify the right part of the plant for taking semi-ripe cuttings. The ideal stem is firm at the base but soft at the tip.

3. Talking through the Compost (3:03): John discusses the type of compost for potting the cuttings.

4. Taking the Cuttings & Potting On (4:09): John demonstrates how to take and pot them on. This involves cutting the stem just below a leaf node, removing leaves from the bottom half of the cutting, making a hole in the compost, and planting the cutting.

5. Aftercare of your Cuttings (6:49): John explains how to care for them after they’ve been potted. This includes placing them in a warm, bright location away from direct sunlight, maintaining a high humidity level, and checking them regularly to ensure they’re moist and disease-free.

6. Best Way to Water (7:04): John discusses the best way to water the cuttings to ensure they remain healthy and have the best chance of developing roots.

What Next

After taking your semi-ripe cuttings, it’s essential to provide them with the proper care. Place your cuttings somewhere warm and bright but away from direct sunlight. They need high humidity, so cover them with a propagator or clear plastic bag. Check your cuttings every few days to ensure they’re moist and disease-free. Water them gently if the soil has dried out. If any cuttings look like they’re wilting or dying, remove them immediately to prevent any potential disease from spreading. Patience is vital in this stage, as developing new roots might take some time.

Parting Words

Taking semi-ripe cuttings is a rewarding and cost-effective way to propagate your favorite plants. With the right tools, patience, and following our step-by-step guide, you’ll be well on your way to expanding your garden. Remember, the key to successful propagation is practice. Don’t be disheartened if your first few attempts don’t succeed. Keep trying, and soon you’ll have a garden full of beautiful plants you’ve propagated yourself. We hope this guide on how to take semi-ripe cuttings has been helpful. If you have any questions or need further advice, don’t hesitate to reach out. Happy gardening!