The Casper Journal :: Casper's Community Newspaper

Spring is almost upon us here in the Cowboy State, and the recent warm weather has many avid gardeners itching to get some green back on their thumbs.

But as any seasoned Wyoming gardener will tell you, "He/she who puts his/her plants out too early, is destined to make a return trip to the nursery."

Due to the sudden cold spells we often experience, it usually is recommended not to plant until the last part of May.

So how do Wyoming gardeners soothe their itch on these warm spring days until it is time to plant? Many choose to start some of their seeds that require longer growing seasons indoors.

Others study plant books at length, searching for the perfect plant for that unclaimed spot in their garden, all the while dreaming of that first sweet scoop of earth, when all of their stored-up winter ideas will finally begin to come to fruition.

Almost all plant people have seen a plant that they would like to own at a friend's house, or maybe they have one that they already love, but they would like more of them.

If it is a variety that cannot be started from seed or is an heirloom variety that is no longer in commercial production, it may seem that it is unattainable. This is usually not the case.

Many plants lend themselves very well to cutting propagation. Almost everyone has tried to get a stem of one plant or another to take root in a glass of water, often with varied results.

When gathering a stem to try to root, it is important to consider a few simple points to verify if it is a good candidate for propagation. First, it must contain a budding area (except in the case of some succulents). A budding area usually is found either at the tip of the stem, or at the point where a leaf joins the main stem.

On most broad-leafed plants, this area is easy to find; almost any cutting of the main branch or stem will contain some suitable buds.

Second, it must have at least two healthy leaves, which will be the cutting's only source of energy during the rooting process. Finally, a green stem roots much faster than a woody, old growth stem.

Most cuttings will take root in about 1-3 weeks.

Good luck -- hopefully this will help anxious gardeners pass the time until it is safe for our plants to venture outside for the summer.

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