How to Do a Tip Root Cutting

A favorite plant or shrub can be multiplied by propagating a tip-root cutting. Choosing a healthy branch or stem with plenty of blooms or leaves, clearing a section of bare stem and making a clean cut is part of the process. The tip-root cutting is then placed in a propagation medium such as soil mixed from peat moss, perlite, vermiculite and sand or a container of clean tap water. Keep a tip-root cutting in a room with diffused light and ventilation until it has formed a healthy root system.

Loppers
Clippers
Disinfectant
Flower pot
Propagation medium containing mixture of peat moss, perlite, vermiculite and sand
Glass container
Water

Instructions

- 1
  Choose a portion of the stem you wish to root with healthy foliage at the tip. Remove the leaves on the lower section of the stem. Leave about 3 inches of bare stem for smaller plants and allow up to 10 inches for larger plants or shrubs.
- 2
  Take a pair of sharp loppers or clippers and make a clean, angled cut. Make the cut at the bottom of the bare stem section. Clean the cutting tool with disinfectant after you have clipped all the tips you wish to root.
- 3
  Place the tip and stem section in a propagation medium with a mixture of moistened peat moss, perlite, vermiculite and sand. Apply a heating cable to the bottom of the pot. Set the temperature at 75 degrees. Keep the soil moist.
- 4
  Place the stem in a glass container with clean water for another rooting option. Provide plenty of diffused light, but no direct sunlight. Store in a well-ventilated area during the rooting process.

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