- 1). Take a semi-hardwood cutting in the early morning. Semi-hardwood cuttings are partially mature wood that has just experienced a flush of growth. They are not as tough as lower, older stems. North Carolina State University recommends taking cuttings in the morning because that is the time of day when the plant is the most turgid.
- 2). Take a cutting from the upper part of the tree, avoiding growth with buds or flowers on it. Take a 4- to 6-inch cutting. Keep the cutting cool until you plant it, and put it in plastic in the refrigerator if it will be a long time before it is in the rooting medium.
- 3). Use coarse sand as a rooting medium, since it retains moisture well.
- 4). Remove the leaves from the lower 1/3 to 1/2 of the cutting and dip the tip in rooting hormone.
- 5). Insert cuttings 1/3 to 1/2 of their length into the medium and water after inserting.
- 6). Cover the pot with plastic and secure it with a rubber band. You can use an overturned plastic bag or a plastic soda bottle with the top cut off that fits right over the pot. If using a plastic bag, it’s a good idea to put a chopstick or something similar in the soil to keep the bag from touching the foliage as it could cause the foliage to burn.
- 7). Place the rooted cutting in indirect sunlight and mist regularly to keep the soil consistently moist.
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