Grafting and budding are the most important means of propagating fruit and nut trees for two reasons: Species and cultivars that cannot be propagated by cutting or layering can be propagated by budding and grafting.
Trees that can be propagated from softwood cuttings include willow, maple, ginkgo, elm, crabapple, linden, birch, sweet gum, and redbud. Shrubs that can be propagated from softwood cuttings include lilac, forsythia, weigela, dogwood, ninebark, and viburnum.
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.
The simplest method is planting seeds; division & stem cuttings are fast; and with layering, there are almost no failures.
Cuttings. Cuttings can be made using a leaf or stem. This method is the most common and considered the easiest way to propagate plant material.
Put a plastic bag tent over the top, held in place with an elastic band around the pot. Use some sticks to create a frame that the bag can sit over so that the plastic doesn't rest against the cuttings. Put in a light, warm position such as a well-lit windowsill, but not in direct sunlight. Keep moist but not sodden.
Willow is good for rooting cuttings because it contains high concentrations of Indolebutyric acid (IBA), and also salicylic acid, from which aspirin is derived and which protects against fungi and other pathogens. To make willow water, simply gather around 2 cups of fresh willow growth chopped up into short lengths.
Large, established tree branches won't grow roots, but if you find a young tree branch that's less than about a year old, you've got a shot. Put it in water or soil as soon as possible for best results. You'll know the branch is viable if it's about the thickness of a pencil and has some leaves or needles.
Several cuttings may be placed together in one container. 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.
Propagating by saving and sowing seed
Growing plants from seed is one of the cheapest and most effective ways of propagating plants.
You can either plant your cuttings directly in the ground or grow them in containers. If planting directly outdoors, position the plant in a sheltered spot with well-drained soil. Dig in plenty of compost or well-rotted stable manure in advance.
Roses root from cuttings taken at all three stages: softwood, semi-hardwood and hardwood. But across the board, softwood cuttings are the simplest, easiest and fastest to root, so stick with them for the greatest success.
Clean, coarse construction-grade sand may be used for rooting cuttings. Avoid very fine sand because it has poor aeration, which hampers root formation. A mixture of half sand and half peat moss is a better rooting medium. Vermiculite, a lightweight expanded mica product, is suitable for rooting cuttings.
In either case, you'll do best to clip pieces of young branches, those under a year old, for growing trees. To start planting trees from twigs, use a sharp, clean pruner or knife to clip off sections of tree branch around 6 to 10 inches (15-25 cm.) long.
The branch bark ridge is the dark, rough bark ridge that separates the branch from the main branch or trunk. Pruning just beyond the branch collar and branch bark ridge retains the tree's natural defense mechanisms and promotes compartmentalization and callus formation. Do not make flush cuts when pruning trees.
Shrubs such as redtwig dogwood (Cornus sericea, Zones 3–8), trees such as cottonwood (Populus deltoides, Zones 2–9), and evergreens such as Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum, Zones 3–7) can by propagated with high success using this method.
Success factors for rooting your cuttings
They'll root faster with plenty of sunlight, but avoid setting them in direct sun. Temperature is also important, the warmer the better to speed things up. For cuttings that are more valuable or difficult, adding a little aquarium pump to oxygenate the water will help a lot.
Using apple cider vinegar as a rooting hormone is a safe and natural way to weaken the outer coating of seeds, making for faster germination.
Cinnamon as a rooting agent is as useful as willow water or hormone rooting powder. A single application to the stem when you plant the cutting will stimulate root growth in almost every plant variety. Give your cuttings a quick start with the help of cinnamon powder.
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.
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.
Covering Plants with Plastic Bags
Plants under plastic bags retain moisture and even capture what the plants produce by transpiration. Don't use plastic bags as a greenhouse for succulents, though, as they can definitely tolerate neglect, but won't tolerate this kind of moisture.
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.