Garden Tip 138:

It is almost November and the first threat of frost is still almost a week away. My tropical foliage plants are all safely indoors in their winter quarters. Sunporch, windowsills and sunny alcoves are full. With the threat of frost finally upon us, it is time to make a final sweep of the garden and rescue any final treasures that I want to save from the jaws of old man winter.

With indoor space a tight commodity, I will take a few cuttings from my favorite coleus, geraniums, plectranthus and others and root them in small pots and create fresh plants for spring. I especially do this with varieties I am not sure I will find in garden centers next spring.

Cuttings should be about three inches long with three to four leaves on the stem, and flowers or flower buds should be removed.  Soil medium for rooting needs to be very porous.  Starting with a good quality potting soil, I mix perlite, vermiculite or sharp sand to the mix by about one third. I usually stick two to three cuttings per pot, just in case some of them decide they are not happy with this whole idea. Bright indirect light, moist soil and warm air is a recipe for success.