HOUSTON – If you’ve spent some time at the nursery or big box store in the plant department, you could be suffering from sticker shock this spring.
Who knew a boxwood could cost so much? That English hedge you’re dreaming of could cost as much as your mortgage if you’re not careful.
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If you’re a budding gardener and you really want to give it a go, there are ways to cut your costs. There are a few essential ingredients, but mostly, it’s about the time investment.
If you’re not into that, just buy the plants at the nursery. It’ll save you a lot of frustration and you’ll be enjoying your garden sooner.
However, if you’re excited about the prospect of growing something from almost nothing and investing in yourself and your efforts, growing from cuttings could be a very rewarding proposition. Cuttings -- just to be clear -- are small sprigs or new parts of the plant that you gently cut off from a parent plant to start another plant. This process does not employ seeds, but rather already-grown parts of the plant and urging them to root.
What you’ll need for most plantings culled from cuttings:
- Parent plants - You can cut these from plants you already own or can glean from those you ask to trim from a neighbor, relative or friend’s plant. There are also Facebook gardening groups where you can ask for cuttings. Plant swaps are also a great way to get cuttings (very timely with Earth Day events right around the corner!) Be sure to ASK before you cut.
- A pair of shears - They don’t have to be fancy, but sharp is good. Also, clean them off between use. We’ve heard from more than a few gardeners that cleaning them and keeping them sanitized can help keep disease from spreading in your garden from plant to plant.
- Rooting hormone - This jar of dust costs about $6 and will last you a LONG time. You can also grow cuttings in water, but it may take longer. Root hormone supercharges the process, getting the plant ready to grow roots a little faster.
- Containers - Watch the videos below for the variety you should get for each variety based on what’s worked for people, but generally speaking, it doesn’t take much to get things going. Some of these plants could be grown in just a jar or closed plastic container.
- Dirt or “planting medium” as some call it - Pay attention to this part in the videos below based on the flowers you’re trying to propagate. Some plants are finicky. Make them happy with the home you’re building for them, whether it’s just water or potting soil or sand and peat or whatever.
- Patience - Remember: we said this will take time. If you’re anxious to have a full garden, go buy your full-size plants at the nursery. Don’t make yourself crazy. If you’re in this to win it and are ready for a journey, this is for you, and it’s going to take time and will have ups (rooted plants) and downs (plants that never even thought about rooting that you throw in the trash with more hatred than you thought you could muster for an semi-inanimate object). We’re speaking from some experience here, if you can’t tell. Though we’re not the experts of experts, we’ve gone down this path a time or two and have seen little bitty things grow and it’s incredibly rewarding -- beyond the money-saving.
And now, here are a few plants that -- when placed in a great spot and watered with regularity -- can thrive in the Houston area. Here are a few more if you’re interested. Best of luck, gardeners of Zone 9, and if you have any suggestions or expert-level knowledge of plants, leave them for us in the comments below. We’re all still learning.
Azaleas:
Gardenias:
This is an extremely easy process. We actually tried this one and it’s cooking on our window sill. What a great process and EASY. Gardenia plants are pricey, so trying this out is worth the minimal effort.
Hydrangeas:
Great explanation and good ideas for rooting your hydrangeas. Many people start their gardens in the spring, but you can develop plants year-round. Here is a great video with advice on the process.
Star jasmine:
Japanese boxwood:
Blackberries, roses and grapes -- and a great overview:
Have you had success with this process? Let us know in the comments.