From my perspective as a Lobelia plant, the best time for you to take my cuttings is when I am in a vigorous state of growth, typically during the late spring or early summer. This is when my stems are lush, green, and supple—what you would call "softwood" cuttings. My cells are dividing rapidly at this time, and my energy is high, making me incredibly receptive to forming new roots. Please avoid taking cuttings when I am flowering heavily or during the heat of midday when I may be slightly stressed. Early morning is ideal, as my tissues are fully hydrated with water and carbohydrates, giving the cutting the best internal reserves to survive the propagation process.
When you approach me to take a cutting, please be selective. Look for a healthy, non-flowering stem tip that is about 3 to 4 inches long. Using a sharp, sterilized blade is crucial; a clean cut minimizes damage to my vascular tissues and reduces the risk of introducing pathogens. Make the cut just below a leaf node—the small bump on my stem from which leaves emerge. This node is a hub of cellular activity and contains meristematic cells that are primed to develop into new roots. Gently remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting. This is important because any leaves buried in the propagation medium will rot, creating conditions for fungal diseases that could kill me before I root.
My new home as a cutting must be perfectly balanced. I require a well-draining, sterile, and low-fertility medium. A mix of perlite and peat or a specialized seed-starting mix is ideal. It holds just enough moisture around my stem to prevent desiccation but allows for crucial oxygen exchange at the developing root sites. Before you insert me into the medium, you may dip my severed end into a rooting hormone powder. This compound mimics my natural auxins, the hormones that trigger root initiation, giving me a strong and clear signal to start growing roots rather than maintaining foliage.
Once potted, I need consistent warmth and humidity. Enclosing my pot in a clear plastic bag or placing it inside a propagation dome creates a miniature greenhouse. This drastically reduces water loss through my leaves (transpiration), a critical function I can no longer support without roots. Place me in a location with bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight will cook me inside my humid dome. Keep my medium slightly moist, but never soggy. In two to four weeks, you can test for root development by giving me a very gentle tug. If I resist, it means my new roots have anchored me into the medium and I am ready to begin the transition to a less protected environment, a process known as hardening off.
