Allamanda cathartica

The large globose capsule is spiny and contained numerous seeds that are viable but the plant is commonly reproduced vegetatively.

Take nodal cuttings during late spring and semi hard wood from summer to autumn and place in a deep well drained soil with added cow manure.

Asexual Propagation (Cuttings general)

Propagation from cuttings is possible because every cell of a plant containers the genetic information to create an entire plant.

1. Reproduction occurs through the formation of adventitious roots and shoots.

2. The uniting of vegetative parts with budding and grafting.

3. Taking stem cuttings and layering is possible due to the development of adventitious roots

4. Root cuttings can form new shoots then it is possible to join roots and shoots to form a new plant.

5. A new plant may be formed from a single cell in an aseptic culture system, (cloning).

It is important to propagate vegetatively as this form of cloning retains the unique characteristics of the cultivars or where particular aspects of a plant may be lost if propagated by seed.

Equipment Required for Taking Cuttings

1. A sharp knife that is not too large or a razor mounted in a handle.

2. Good pair of sharp secateurs that is clean.

3. A dibbler to make a hole in the media and allow the cutting to be placed in.

4. Propagation structures that are either a timber frame with glass or polyethylene cover or a glasshouse.

The object of the structure is to create an environment where the temperature and humidity can be controlled. This can be achieved with a simple cover over a pot with a wire frame and plastic.

This stops the draughts and maintains humidity.

5. A hotbed is a useful item as many plants root more quickly if the media is slightly warmer.

Bottom heat is obtained from thermostatically controlled heating cables that are running under the media.

6. Misting systems are of great benefit to cuttings as the regulated fogging with water inhibits the cuttings from drying out and as a result the cuttings may be grown in full sun.

This results in faster root development that is less subject to diseases by fungi and bacteria.

7. Rooting mediums

The rooting medium must be well drained, sand may be used as long as it is thoroughly washed and leached of all salts. It is very well drained and it is excellent for cutting that root up quickly. Equal parts of sand and peat moss have good results for cuttings, which are left for a period of time to allow the roots to form.

Vermiculite and perlite are also used as a well-drained rooting media but has the same disadvantage as sand having no nutrients. The cuttings must be potted up as soon as the roots developed, or a light application of liquid fertiliser can be applied.

Types of Cuttings

Stem cuttings

These are the main types of cuttings.

1. Softwood cuttings 

These cuttings are taken from young growth on side shoots and tip growth.

2. Semi hardwood cuttings 

These cuttings are taken from wood that is firmer and semi ripe usually during mid summer.

3. Hardwood cuttings 

These cuttings are taken from mature wood normally towards the end of the season.

4. Root cuttings

Cut sections of roots to obtain new plants during late winter to early spring.

5. Leaf cuttings

Cut the leaf blade in order to obtain new plants during the growing period of the plant.

Cutting preparation

Hardwood cuttings

When taking hardwood cuttings remove the leaves and in semi hardwood reduce the number of leaves by half. Cut the wood straight across just below a node or joint. Hardwood cuttings are normally between 100 to 760 mm long and may have either a heel of the older wood attached to the base, or a short section of the older wood at the base. These cuttings are prepared during the dormant season from late autumn to early spring and are made up from previous season's growth.

This type of cutting is used for woody deciduous plants such as Crepe Myrtle, Rose rootstocks and some fruit trees.

The cuttings should be healthy wood with ample supply of stored food as to nourish developing roots, shoots and placed in the rooting media with the aid of a dibbler stick.

Softwood cuttings

The cuttings for softwood should be 60 to 130 mm long and be of material with enough substance as to not deteriorate before the new roots appear. Cut below a node and retain the leaves on the upper portion. Place in a well-drained media and maintain a high humidity.

Soaking the cuttings and leaving them standing in water for long periods is undesirable.

Herbaceous cuttings

These cuttings are taken from succulent plants such as Geraniums and Coleus. The cutting should be 70 to 130 mm long with leaves retained on the upper end. As in softwood cuttings these require an environment of high humidity. Some fleshy cuttings ooze sap and may require a drying period for a few hours before being placed in the rooting media.

Leaf cutting

In these cuttings a leaf blade and petiole or part off is used to raise a new plant.  The original leaf doses not become a part of the new plant as roots and shoots appear from the base of the leaf. In some cases roots appear from the severed veins.

Leaf-Bud cuttings

These cuttings incorporate a leaf, petiole and a small piece of the stem. These cuttings are an advantage where the plant uses the axillary bud at the base of the petiole for new shoot growth and maximises available propagation material, as each node will produce a new plant.

As in softwood cuttings these require an environment with high humidity and warmth.

Root cuttings

These cuttings are best taken from younger plants during late winter to early spring prior the new season's growth unless the dormant period is during summer.

Trim the roots as they are dug up, to maintain polarity cut strength at the crown end and a slanted cut at the distal end (away from the crown).

Root cuttings of small plants are placed in flats in lengths of 20 to 50 mm (2 in) and laying horizontally on the surface of the soil. These may be lightly covered with sieved sand or media, watered and then placing a piece of glass or polyethylene over the container till roots / shoots appear.

Fleshy root cuttings

These cuttings should be 50 to 75 mm (3 in) long and placed vertically in a well-drained sand media.

Keep the polarity correct and when the roots develop transplant the cuttings into a separate container.

Large root cuttings

These cuttings are 50 to 150 mm (2 in) long are tied up in bundles and placed in boxes of damp sand, sawdust or peat for about three weeks at a temperature of 4. 5 deg C When taken out they should be planted in a prepared bed 50 to 80 mm ((3 1/8 in) apart with the tops of the cuttings level with or just below the soil level.