Quick Links. Propagating plants from cuttings is one of the easiest and most used methods of propagation. Many plants will root from just a section of a plant. Some plants will root in water, but cuttings will develop a better root system when rooted in a soil-less potting mix.
And yes, there are also other ways to propagate, but water propagation is the simplest way to start if you're new to propagating plants, or simply want to speed up the process, as cuttings root faster in water vs soil, plus you can easily see what's going on each step of the way.
Stem Cuttings:
This technique is probably the most versatile of all methods used for vegetative propagation. It can be used for both herbaceous and woody material. Herbaceous stem cuttings can be made from houseplants, annual flowers and bedding plants, ground covers, and some perennials.
Water roots grow much faster than soil roots and require less space and energy to grow. They are designed to absorb nutrients from the water all around them, so they don't have to grow as large to search for resources. Soil roots, on the other hand, are much sturdier and have fewer thin offshoots than water roots.
There are plenty of advantages to growing hydroponically over soil-based gardening. Among them include the ability to grow more plants in a smaller space, fewer pests to worry about and no weeding. Another advantage is that many plants grow faster when raised hydroponically.
All types of pothos can be propagated in either soil or water. Water propagation is usually faster, while soil propagation produces sturdier plant roots and cuttings that may not need to be transplanted later if you propagate them in a roomy pot.
Hydroponic growing allows for faster growth and higher yields than traditional soil-based growing systems. To grow hydroponically, you need plants, a container, water, a way to anchor the plants, nutrients and a light source. It is possible to grow vegetables hydroponically both outdoors and indoors.
Not enough water
The cuttings must have water because they currently have no root system to transport nutrients and moisture into the stem. So the only way they can do this is if the stem itself has access to water.
Because of this difference in root structures, if your end goal in propagating is a potted plant (or to fill in an existing plant), here are a few tips for the best results: Transition your cuttings back to soil as soon as you have 1-2 inches of roots.
You can propagate with seeds or roots, but the easiest and most common method is by cutting, or transferring a piece of a mature plant into water or soil and letting it grow a new root system. Propagating with cuttings offers a lesson in plant biology.
Propagating by saving and sowing seed
Growing plants from seed is one of the cheapest and most effective ways of propagating plants.
Asexual propagation, as mentioned earlier, is the best way to maintain some species, particularly an individual that best represents that species. Clones are groups of plants that are identical to their one parent and that can only be propagated asexually.
Plant the Cutting in the Soil
Carefully plant the cutting in the hole you made in the potting mix, and gently tamp the soil around it. You can fit several cuttings into one container, but space them so the leaves do not touch one another.
While fertilizer isn't necessary in the early stages, adding it later can boost growth for long-term water propagation. Using a highly diluted solution ensures that the new roots get the nutrients they need without the risk of over-fertilization.
Perhaps one of the most common mistakes with water propagation occurs once the plant is back in the soil: not watering enough after transplanting. The roots that grow while the cutting is in water are called water roots.
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.
Many plants will root from just a section of a plant. Some plants will root in water, but cuttings will develop a better root system when rooted in a soil-less potting mix. Sand or perlite can also be used, especially for cuttings that need good drainage and may rot if kept too wet.
Be sure to add fresh water as needed until the cuttings are fully rooted. Rooting will generally occur in 3-4 weeks but some plants will take longer. When the roots are 1-2 inches long or longer the cutting is ready to be potted up.
Place your plant cutting(s) in your glass vessel and put it in a spot that receives bright to moderate indirect light. Do not place in strong, direct light or super-low light.
Trim the cutting in the following way: Working from the base of the stem, cut just below a node (Figure 4). With a pencil, gently make a line 2 inches above this cut. The portion of the stem between the cut and the line will be in the rooting mix (Figure 5).
For plant roots to grow faster, it requires nutrients, sufficient water, well-aerated soil, enough light, the right range of temperature and proper amendments. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are the three essential nutrients that a plant requires for its growth.
Soil roots need more energy to grow, which is why cuttings grow roots faster in water vs soil. Soil roots are tougher and thicker.
For commercial growers, it's recommended to choose the hydroponics system because it is more efficient and allows for higher crop yields. However, if you are a personal grower, you may prefer soil cultivation because it is simpler and requires less equipment.
Transferring soil plants to hydroponics is easy and almost any plant can be converted. Removing the soil from a plant's root system might be a little scary the first time. Don't worry! Follow our guidelines and you'll be successful.