Using a sharp knife (or pruners) cut just below where a leaf attaches to the stem (the node). Roots grow easiest from this location. If you leave a section of stem below the node, it often rots. Remove the lower leaves but leave the top two or three.
This time, pay careful attention to where you are making your cut. Trim back the cutting to about 4-5 inches where there is active growth. Note how I am making a cut just below a node. It is important to cut below the node as this is where the cells responsible for pushing out new roots are located.
Make a clean, diagonal cut just below a leaf node using sharp and sterile pruning shears. The cutting should be approximately 6 to 8 inches long.
Always prune just above a node on a stem.
In this way, the dormant buds in the node itself will grow out into new stems. If you cut below a node, you leave a section of stem (the internode) that cannot grow new stems. This section will be prone to rotting and becoming susceptible to diseases that can kill your plant.
It is important to cut below the node as this is where the cells responsible for pushing out new roots are located.
You'll want to cut just below the node (the area from which leaves grow) at a 45-degree angle.
Notching Step-by-Step Guide
Nodes are areas on the trunk that contain dormant leaf buds, and you can find them by looking for the slightly thicker areas on the trunk between leaves or branches. They might also look like a line running around the trunk. Then you'll make your cut just above the node.
Identifying the nodes on your plants will help you to learn where to cut for propagation (just below a node) and where to cut for pruning (just above a node).
Inadequate Moisture: Cuttings need to be kept moist, but not waterlogged. Overwatering can lead to rot, while under-watering can cause the cutting to dry out and die. Use a spray bottle to mist the cuttings regularly with fresh clean and ensure the soil is consistently moist but well-drained.
Always prune to just above a bud. This bud will then be the growing point and any material above it will die back. However do not prune so close that you risk damaging the bud. If you do damage the top bud through pruning, cut back to the next appropriate one.
Any cutting needs to have a connection point where new stems can form. These are called nodes. To find nodes on your plant, find the newest leaves that have appeared. Place your fingers on the stem right next to the new leaf, and then trace the stem backward to where it connects with another stem.
Properly pruning a tree limb
Keep your cuts at a 45-degree angle to prevent water damage and disease.
Cut off all lower leaves with sharp secateurs or a knife (taking care when doing this) – you just want a couple of postage stamps of leaf left at the top at most. Then cut neatly just below what is called a node, the point where a leaf was attached, to leave about 10cm or so of cutting.
You'll want to snip off a couple inches of healthy stem right before a node and include a node or two with the cutting, as this is where the new roots will come from.
If there are unused nodes on your flower spike, cut above the second node on the spike, but below any dried, brown, yellowish-brown, or dead-looking part of the stem. This will give you the best chance for the formation of a strong secondary branch and multiple flowers.
The node is where leaves, buds and shoots emerge from the stem. You should always cut just above a node, as this prevents 'die back' and therefore disease. Also, by cutting above a node you can manipulate new stems, leaves or flowers to form in a desired direction, as nodes form on different sides of a stem.
Too much harsh sun, too much or not enough water, and using offcuts from plants that are sickly or flowering can also put your cuttings at risk. Once you're in the know about the typical errors gardeners make, you'll be able to take successful cuttings from plants and grow lots of new plants for free.
Another way to reduce water loss is to keep the cuttings in a humid atmosphere – place a clear plastic bag over individual pots or use a propagator with a lid.
If Im understanding you correctly, cut below the node.
To get a cutting for Pothos propagation, follow these steps: Trim a 4-6 inch piece just below a root node. Ideally, the cutting will have 4+ leaves and at least two growth nodes. Pothos plant propagation can be done in water or soil, but once it begins, the plant has difficult switching to the other growing medium.
Open face notch, aiming with top cut
Used for most purposes in flat or slightly sloping terrain. Easier for the bottom cut to meet the angled top cut for directional precision. The felling cut is made in line with the bottom cut or slightly above to minimize the risk of splitting.
Precision matters: A clean cut above the node can mean the difference between new growth and a stagnant vine. Leave some room: Aim for about 1/4 inch above the node to avoid damaging potential growth points.
To promote healthy growth in your basil plant, 'top off' the plant by snipping off the tops of each plant directly above a leaf node (where a set of leaves grow from the stem). This will encourage your basil to grow larger and fuller - if you cut one stem, it will reproduce and form two stems below your cut.