Stem Cuttings

Three Seasons of Interest

Touchdown Flame’s beauty extends far beyond spring. As summer approaches, its leaves transform into a rich reddish brown hue, adding depth and character to the garden. In autumn, the leaves mature to a deep olive green with contrasting green backs, offering a stunning display.

But the show doesn’t end there. In late summer, Touchdown Flame produces a profusion of chocolate-purple flower buds that gradually open into creamy white blooms. These delicate flowers gather into larger clusters, creating a captivating display that attracts pollinators like magnets. As autumn deepens, the flower bundles age into a soft beige color, standing tall and proud until heavy snow finally knocks them over.

Effortless Cultivation

If you’re a gardener who prefers low-maintenance plants, Sedum Touchdown Flame is the perfect choice. It thrives in full sun locations with well-draining soil. Once established, it can withstand brief periods of drought, making it an ideal plant for those who may forget to water regularly.

Touchdown Flame is also tolerant of salt, making it a great option for coastal gardens. Plus, it has excellent pest and disease resistance, ensuring a healthy and hassle-free addition to your garden.

Propagation Made Easy

Growing new Touchdown Flame plants is a breeze. The easiest method is to divide the root ball in early spring. You can also lay stems on their sides on top of a soilless mixture such as moistened sand. In a few weeks, they will develop roots, allowing you to create new plants that are genetically identical to the parent.

Another option is to take herbaceous stem cuttings. Simply place the cuttings in sun and keep them moderately dry. They will eventually send out roots, enabling you to expand your collection of this versatile plant.

Conclusion

Sedum Touchdown Flame is a remarkable plant that offers beauty, resilience, and easy care. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, this perennial wonder is sure to become a favorite in your garden. Its unique charm, three seasons of interest, and effortless cultivation make it a must-have for any flower enthusiast.

Propagating Dahlias: A Beginner’s Guide to Taking Stem Cuttings

Dahlias are beautiful flowers that can add a splash of color to any garden. But they can also be expensive, especially if you want to grow a large number of them. Luckily, there’s a way to get more dahlias for your money: taking stem cuttings.

What is Stem Cutting?

Stem cutting is a method of propagating plants by taking a stem from a parent plant and rooting it in soil or water. This allows you to create new plants that are genetically identical to the parent plant.

Why Take Dahlia Stem Cuttings?

There are several reasons why you might want to take dahlia stem cuttings:

To save money: Dahlia tubers can be expensive, especially for rare or exotic varieties. Taking stem cuttings is a great way to get more plants for less money.
To increase your dahlia collection: If you have a favorite dahlia variety, you can take stem cuttings to create more plants of that variety. This is a great way to expand your dahlia collection without having to buy new tubers.
To get a jump start on the growing season: Dahlia tubers need to be started indoors in late winter or early spring. By taking stem cuttings in late winter, you can get a head start on the growing season and have blooming dahlias sooner.

How to Take Dahlia Stem Cuttings

Taking dahlia stem cuttings is a relatively simple process. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Choose healthy tubers: Select firm, healthy dahlia tubers that are free of disease.
Warm the tubers: Place the tubers in a plastic bag and put the bag, with the top open, in a warm room for a couple of weeks. This will help the tubers sprout more quickly.
Prepare the potting mix: Fill a plastic planting tray to within an inch of the top with damp potting mix or a mixture of half peat moss and half sand.
Plant the tubers: Plant the tubers in rows about 4 to 6 inches apart, with each stem 1 to 2 inches above the surface of the soil.
Label the tubers: Write the name of each dahlia on a plastic label and insert it next to the tuber.
Place the tray in a warm, sunny room: Avoid direct sunlight. You can also place the tray under fluorescent lights.
Wait for eyes to appear: Watch for eyes to appear, which generally takes about seven to ten days.
Take the cuttings: When the shoots have three to four sets of leaves, they are ready to take cuttings. Use a sharp, sterile craft knife or razor blade to slice off a shoot with a narrow sliver of tuber about the width of a dime. Cut above the lowest node or joint to leave a bud on the tuber.
Prepare the cuttings: Remove the lower leaves from the cutting, leaving the top two leaves intact. Dip the bottom of the cutting in liquid or powdered rooting hormone.
Plant the cuttings: Place each dahlia cutting in a 3-inch pot filled with a mixture of half potting mix and half sand.
Keep the cuttings moist: Water the cuttings as needed to keep the potting mix moist, but not soggy.
Wait for the cuttings to root: Watch for the cuttings to root in two to three weeks.
Transplant the cuttings: Once the cuttings have rooted, you can transplant them into individual pots or into the garden.

Tips for Success

Here are a few tips for taking successful dahlia stem cuttings:

Use sharp, sterile tools to prevent disease.
Take cuttings from healthy, disease-free plants.
Keep the cuttings moist but not soggy.
Provide the cuttings with plenty of light.
Be patient! It can take several weeks for the cuttings to root.

Troubleshooting

If you’re having trouble getting your dahlia stem cuttings to root, here are a few things you can try:

Make sure the cuttings are getting enough light.
Make sure the cuttings are not too wet or too dry.
Check the roots for signs of disease.
Try using a different rooting hormone.

With a little patience and care, you can successfully propagate dahlias from stem cuttings. This is a great way to save money, increase your dahlia collection, and get a jump start on the growing season.

Sedum Touchdown Flame: A Perennial Wonder for Easy-Care Gardens | Growing Guide and Tips

Sedum Touchdown Flame: A Perennial Wonder for Easy-Care Gardens