dieffenbachia propagation
Dieffenbachia Propagation
Dieffenbachia plant is a common houseplant that is much sought after because of its lush tropical leaves. Home gardeners might like to know about Dieffenbachia plant propagation.
- Wear rubber gloves and cut out a 3-4 inch section of the cane, just below the leaf node. Cut out at least 3 sections of the cane so that at least one cutting propagates.
- Dust the end of the cane cuttings with rooting hormone which also contains fungicide.
- Prepare a flowerpot with a mix of potting soil which is made with half peat moss and half sand.
- Now place the Dieffenbachia cane cutting into the prepared soil in the flowerpot horizontally.
- The bottom portion of the cane cutting should be inserted into the soil and the leaf bud or node should remain above the soil.
- Next, water the plant cutting and cover it with a sheet of clear plastic. This keeps the soil moist and also keeps the humidity level constant.
- Place the pot in a warm location, adding water if and when you feel that the soil has become too dry.
- After a month or so you will find stems emerging from the cane cutting. At this point, you can remove the plastic sheet and place the Dieffenbachia plant in a sunny spot.
- First identify a spot on the stem of the Dieffenbachia plant where there is a healthy leaf bud growing.
- Now make a long upward cut on the stem of the plant, about 2 inches long with a sharp knife.
- Insert a small twig or toothpick into the cut portion of the stem, making sure that the cut portion does not touch the main stem.
- Dust the cut portion of the Dieffenbachia stem with rooting hormone.
- Moisten some sphagnum moss in water, squeeze out excess water and place it over the cut portion of the stem. Tie the sphagnum moss to the stem of the plant with a piece of string.
- Use a piece of polyethylene film to cover the sphagnum moss, making sure that there is an air pocket in between the moss and the polyethylene film.
- Secure the polyethylene film to the stem of the Dieffenbachia plant with electrical tape.
- In a few days, roots of the plant will propagate at the cut portion and you will see some roots shooting out of the sphagnum moss.
- At this point, remove the polyethylene film and then remove the rooted branch from the parent plant with a sharp knife.
- Plant the new rooted branch in a pot containing potting mix. Cover the new plant with a polyethylene film for a week to prevent loss of moisture from the roots.
- Once the root system has been established, remove the polyethylene cover and place in a bright sunny spot.