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Taking cuttings

B3B3 Posts: 27,505
If a plant e.g. penstemon has no non-flowering stems (or shoots or whatever they're called) and you pinched out the flower buds on a stem, might it produce non flowering shoots on that stem?
In London. Keen but lazy.

Posts

  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    It's something I've often wondered. I think you are better with a non flowering stem if possible, perhaps you could chop one of the stems back hard to produce some?
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • newbie77newbie77 Posts: 1,838
    I want to take salvia cutting but there are no nonflowering branches. Would it work for salvia ?
    South West London
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    I successfuly rooted cutting from stems from which I've pinched off emerging flower buds
    Devon.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    What I meant was.... You know when you pinch out a cosmos in the middle of the plant, the whole thing bushes out? If you pinched out the stem on a penstemon or similar, would that single stem bush out thereby producing non flowering shoots?
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    it's often trouble finding NON flowering stems on penstemon, virtually ever one flowers
    Devon.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    True. 
     I'm going to try it on a really big robust,looking one and see what happens. I don't want to try it on the delicate - looking ones as part of an experiment😊
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Different type of plant to cosmos, leave the flower shoots on but cut them off as soon as they go over, the new ones just come on their own. 
    If you want to take cuttings just pick the buds of the side shoots and root in water. 
    Not too many in a glass or they will rot. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • newbie77newbie77 Posts: 1,838
    Today i have taken loads of salvia cuttings, removed the flower or bud and have put them in compost at a sheltered place. Fingers crossed!
    South West London
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    I haven't got a fingers crossed emoji so I'll have to say it: fingers crossed! @newbie77
    In London. Keen but lazy.
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