Gardening with Margaret Matthews
Growing and sewing: Plant propagation, part 2
Layering is one of the oldest methods of increasing plants. It was practised by the Chinese many centuries ago. There are some five or six methods of layering. The two most common are aerial and ground layering, which are those most likely to interest the home gardener. The great advantage with layering is that no expensive equipment is required, nor is any great skill needed.
All the materials necessary are some sphagnum moss (obtainable from your local nursery) some pieces of polythene plastic sheeting, about 15cm square, some plastic twine, and a sharp knife.
Most shrubs will form roots by aerial layering, so it is worth practising on some plants in your garden. Azaleas, camellias and gardenias are some that could be tried. Resist the temptation to use large branches in the mistaken belief that you will soon have a large new plant. Grafts from old wood take much longer to develop, if they root at all, so choose a section of half-ripened wood. The time before roots form varies considerably and depends on the type of plant and the season. Deciduous plants should be layered in late winter.
Method of aerial layering
Plunge the sphagnum moss into a bucket of water for several minutes and then squeeze out surplus moisture. Make a slanting cut a few centimetres long on the under side of the chosen branch. Take care not to sever the branch completely. Into this cut insert a small piece of sphagnum moss to keep it open. Then plaster a good handful of the moistened moss over the cut and around the stem and cover it with the polythene, tying this tightly with the twine at each end and around the middle to make it as airtight as possible, and the job is finished. No more watering of the moss is necessary. It will keep damp wrapped in polythene. Then all you have to do is wait!
Ground layering
Make a slit in a low-growing branch that can be tethered to the ground by a piece of wire bent to the shape of a hairpin. Cover with soil, firm down and keep moist.
Roots should form at this point and, as mentioned above, the time can vary considerably. When you are sure roots are established, the new plant can be severed from the parent and potted up into a light potting mix. The pots should then be placed in a sheltered position and kept moist.
When the young plants are established they can be planted out into the garden or given away. Although a little slow in making fresh root systems, aerial layers and ground layers usually grow very well when once established, and flowering and fruiting plants produce much more quickly than when grown from seed.
Many gardeners are at first reluctant to ‘have a go’ at layering, but it is not at all difficult to do, although it does require patience. It can be very satisfying to produce plants for such little effort and cost, and can turn into a fascinating and rewarding hobby.
There are several other methods of creating new plants. Budding, grafting and growing from seed. As most seeds are sown in spring, they will be dealt with later in the year. Sophisticated methods such as tissue culture and plant cloning are for the professional nursery.
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