Softwood cuttings are difficult to root unless the plant can be kept from wilting by either misting the plant or by maintaining 100 percent relative humidity. Hardwood cuttings are stuck in late winter in a location where they can be kept watered in the summer. They will form roots as they begin to grow in the spring. Leafy hardwood cuttings are not as difficult to maintain as softwood cuttings but require more attention than deciduous hardwood cuttings. Roots form on softwood cuttings in three weeks, on dormant season hardwood cuttings in two to four months and in one to two months on leafy hardwood cuttings.
Most herbaceous plants root at almost any season.
Azaleas will usually only root during a short period just after flowering. Only new softwood or semi-softwood growth has the ability to root. If a plant can be successfully rooted in more than one season, the gardener should select the most convenient time. Back To Top Selecting the Cutting Stem cuttings should not be excessively large as too many leaves will cause the plant to dry out and die. The actual size will vary with the facilities available and the type of plant being propagated.