When to Propagate and How Much to Cut

Q: I have a 25-year-old orange-flowered hibiscus that I left outside during a cold spell two years in a row. I thought I had killed it, but in February it came back to life with the tiniest sprouts possible. I babied it, and it is producing the most beautiful flowers again. The original plant is almost dead, and I can’t rely on it sprouting next spring. I’d like to propagate it. What is your advice on the best way and time to do this? 

A: Rather than go over the basic steps of propagation, which you probably already know (rooting hormone, proper medium, humidity, etc.), let’s cover two other important considerations.

One of the key things to know is when to take the cutting that you want to root, usually midsummer. Examine stems that have shown good growth this year. There is a section of green stem, which is the recent new growth. There is a section with smooth brown bark, then beneath it the rough bark of last year’s growth. The cuttings you take should be about halfway between the green growth and the rough barky, growth.

The length of the cutting is equally important. It should be 6-10 inches long and have good green leaves at the end. Remove all but two or three, apply fresh rooting hormone to the cut end, stick it in well draining medium, and you’re good to go. You still have time to root hibiscus, so get a hurry on!