Inserting basal chysanthemum cuttings into compost. Sarah Cuttle

How to take chrysanthemum cuttings

BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Published: Saturday, 13 April 2019 at 11:18 am

Follow these steps to produce fresh and productive chrysanthemum plants.

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Chrysanthemums are popular border plants, adding valuable colour in late summer and autumn.

However, these vigorous and free-flowering plants tend to wear themselves out quite quickly. The oldest part of the plant, in the centre of the clump, becomes weaker and the stems flop, while the outer shoots remain thick and healthy.

It's easy to propagate chrysanthemums by taking basal cuttings every few years in spring. These will root easily in a cold frame, propagator or on a sunny windowsill.

Take chrysanthemum cuttings in just three easy steps, below.

You Will Need

Secateurs or a sharp knife
Damp polythene bag
Multi-purpose compost
10cm pot

Step 1

Collecting basal shoots cuttings from stool plant

Choose strong shoots, 5-7cm long, from the outside of the clump where shoots are youngest. Cut them off with secateurs or a sharp knife and put straight into a damp polythene bag, so they don't dry out.

Step 2

Cutting below a leaf node

Remove all the lower leaves, keeping just one or two sets at the top. Then pinch out the bud at the tip to encourage more shoots to sprout and trim the bottom just below a leaf node.

Step 3

Insert the cuttings into compost

Fill a 10cm pot with multi-purpose compost, then insert the cuttings evenly around the edge. Firm in place with your fingers. Soak the pot before putting it into a cold frame or propagator.

Growing on your cuttings

When you see roots poking out the bottom of the pot, it's time to pot the cuttings up individually. Follow the advice in this video guide to potting on rooted cuttings.

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