Calibrachoa, often called Million Bells, are popular flowering plants known for their vibrant, trumpet-shaped blooms that resemble miniature petunias. These plants are frequently used in hanging baskets and containers due to their trailing habit, providing continuous color from spring until the first frost. Propagating calibrachoa from cuttings offers an economical way to multiply your favorite varieties, creating more plants for your garden or to share.
Propagating Calibrachoa from Cuttings
Timing Your Cuttings
The most favorable period for taking calibrachoa cuttings is during the active growing season, typically from late spring through early summer. Gardeners in warmer climates (USDA zones 9-11), where calibrachoa can grow as a perennial, might take cuttings earlier in the growing season to allow new plants to establish before winter. For those treating calibrachoa as an annual, cuttings can be taken at any point before the first autumn frost. Harvesting cuttings in the morning is often recommended, as plants are typically well-hydrated at this time, reducing wilting.
Essential Supplies
To propagate calibrachoa, gather a few key items. You will need sharp, clean pruning shears or a sterile knife to make precise cuts. A well-draining, sterile potting mix is important, often a blend of peat moss and perlite or vermiculite. Rooting hormone, while not always necessary as calibrachoa cuttings root readily, can enhance success rates. Propagation trays with clear domes help maintain humidity, and small pots for eventual transplanting are also useful.
Taking the Cuttings
Select healthy, vigorous stems from the mother plant that show no signs of pests or disease. Choose non-flowering stems, as the plant’s energy should be directed towards root development rather than blooming. Make a clean cut with your sterilized tool, aiming for a stem segment about 4 to 6 inches long. The cut should be made just below a leaf node, which is where roots are most likely to emerge.
Preparing the Cuttings
Once the cuttings are taken, remove the leaves from the lower half of each stem. This prevents leaves from rotting when buried in the rooting medium and exposes the nodes where new roots will form. If using rooting hormone, dip the cut end into the powder or liquid according to product instructions.
Planting the Cuttings
Fill your chosen small pots or propagation tray with the prepared, sterile rooting medium. Use a pencil or a dibbler to create a small hole in the medium for each cutting. Gently insert the prepared cutting into the hole, ensuring that at least one node, and ideally the part where lower leaves were removed, is buried. Carefully firm the medium around the base of the cutting to provide stability.
Caring for Rooting Cuttings
After planting, water the cuttings thoroughly to settle the medium around them, maintaining consistent moisture without overwatering. Covering the pots with a clear plastic bag or a propagation dome creates a humid environment, which significantly aids in rooting. Place the cuttings in a bright location that receives indirect sunlight, avoiding direct sun which can overheat the enclosed environment. Optimal rooting temperatures are around 70-75°F (21-24°C), with roots typically forming within 2 to 4 weeks.
Transplanting New Plants
You can check for root development by gently tugging on a cutting; resistance indicates that roots have likely formed. Once the cuttings have developed a robust root system, they are ready for transplanting. Carefully remove the rooted cuttings from the propagation tray and plant them into individual pots filled with a suitable potting mix. Gradually acclimate these new plants to outdoor conditions if they are intended for an outdoor garden, exposing them for increasing durations over several days or weeks.
Ensuring Propagation Success
Overwatering is a common mistake that can lead to problems during propagation. Good air circulation around the cuttings can help deter fungal diseases. It is important to avoid excessive misting, as this can also contribute to stem rot. While calibrachoa cuttings root relatively easily, starting with multiple cuttings increases the overall chance of success. Patience is also important, as the rooting process takes several weeks before new plants are ready for transplanting.