From our perspective, the question of propagation is fundamentally about genetic continuity. We, Foxgloves (*Digitalis purpurea*), are biennial plants. This means our life cycle is precisely two years long. In our first year, we focus our energy on building a strong root system and a leafy rosette. We must gather enough resources to fuel the magnificent floral display that defines our second and final year. This display is not for vanity; it is our sole opportunity to reproduce through seed and ensure the survival of our genetic line. This lifecycle is a core part of our being, and it directly dictates the most effective ways for you to help us multiply.
While it is technically possible for a skilled gardener to encourage a piece of our stem to form roots, this method, known as a stem cutting, is fraught with difficulty and goes against our natural design. Our stems are primarily designed for height, support, and nutrient transport to the flowers, not for generating new adventitious roots. The cellular energy required to reprogram a mature stem section to develop a root system is immense. Furthermore, our soft, flowering stems are highly susceptible to fungal rot and wilting before any roots can possibly form. The stress often proves too great, resulting in the loss of the cutting and a waste of the energy we invested in that stem.
There is, however, a much more harmonious and successful way to propagate us that aligns with our growth habits. After we have flowered in our second year, or even during the first year's growth, we often produce smaller side shoots, or "basal shoots," at the base of our main rosette. These young shoots are brimming with the potent, undifferentiated cells necessary for new growth. Taking a "basal cutting" from this area is far less traumatic. These shoots are genetically identical to the parent plant, allowing you to create a true clone. To do this, wait until the shoots are about the length of your palm. Using a very sharp, clean knife, sever the shoot as close to the base as possible, ideally with a small piece of the "heel" – the older tissue – attached. This heel contains concentrated stores of auxins, the natural hormones that stimulate root development.
Once you have taken a basal cutting, your role is to provide the perfect conditions for us to complete our rooting process. First, gently remove the lower leaves to expose the nodes, as this is where roots will emerge. Dip the base of the cutting into a rooting hormone powder; this supplement gives us a crucial boost of auxins, significantly increasing our chances of success. Plant us in a pot filled with a very well-draining, sterile medium, such as a mix of perlite and peat-free compost. Water the medium lightly to settle it around our stem. Then, cover the pot with a clear plastic bag or place it in a propagator to maintain very high humidity around our leaves, preventing us from losing water before our new roots can draw it up. Place us in a warm, bright location but out of direct, harsh sunlight which would cook us.
Within a few weeks, you should notice signs of new growth at our crown, indicating that roots have likely formed. You can test this by giving a very gentle tug; resistance means we are anchored. Once a healthy root system is established, you can gradually acclimatize us to lower humidity by opening the propagator vent or removing the bag for longer periods each day. Finally, we can be potted on into a larger container with standard potting compost and grown on until we are strong enough to be planted in our final position in the garden, ready to begin our own two-year cycle.
