Gardening experts share professional plant propagation techniques

Gardening experts provide specific techniques for propagating fuchsia and oleander (laurier rose) during the late summer months.

For fuchsia, professional nurserymen recommend taking semi-hardwood cuttings between August and September. To ensure successful rooting and prevent stems from turning black, they suggest using a very sharp knife or grafting tool rather than shears to avoid crushing the fibers. The ideal method involves making a 45-degree bevel cut just below a node to expose the cambium, which facilitates root development.

Regarding oleander, gardening instructor Marion Ripaud advises that once cuttings have developed roots in water, they should not be planted directly into the ground. Instead, they should first be transitioned into a pot with well-aerated, enriched potting soil. This allows the plant to develop a sufficiently strong root system before being permanently installed in a garden.