Place the container in a plastic bag and seal it at the top, punching an air hole on the side, or, top off the pot with a plastic 1-gallon milk jug that has had its bottom cut out and the lid removed. Place the covered cutting under a tree or other structure or in a windowsill that gets bright, but not direct, light.
* Check the cutting periodically to make sure that it hasn't dried out. If necessary, add a small amount of water, but don't keep it overly wet, as it will rot.
Signs of Life
* Give the plant two to four weeks before expecting any signs of rooting. By that time, if the cutting hasn't rotted away, it's probably rooting or still has a chance to do so. Gently tug on the cutting. If it seems secure, roots are forming.
* Even though roots have started, it's not time to transplant. Wait until you see white roots coming out of the bottom of the pot. Or pop the plant out of the container and examine the soil for a strong root system. If new foliage appears on the plant, it's established and usually ready for transplanting.
* Before transplanting, gradually move the cutting to its final destination, which will prevent plant shock.
* Have patience. You're starting from a small cutting, and if it does eventually take, it will need time to grow. Also, don't expect 100% success. If half make it, that's considered very good.
(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)
Making the Cut
Plants can be propagated in a number of ways:
Softwood Cuttings (During spring and late summer)
Take softwood and semi-hardwood cuttings during the growing season; cut below a leaf, remove lower leaves, dip cut in rooting hormone, then plant. Maintain high humidity around cutting using a greenhouse.
*
Hardwood Cuttings (During fall-to-spring dormant season)
Take hardwood cuttings at onset of dormant season; make cut below leaf bud, dip cut in rooting hormone. Bury outdoors in a trench or soil-filled box.
*
Leaf Cuttings
Leaf cuttings will multiply many succulents, African violets, \o7 Sansevieria, \f7 begonia and other plants. With some, cut veins and lay leaf flat on soil; others will grow from part of a leaf inserted into the soil.
*
Root Cuttings
Cut pencil- to finger-thick sections of roots, place on their sides and cover with soil, or insert upright in soil with tops just at soil surface. Moisten, cover with plastic and place in shade.
Source: Sunset Book of Gardening
