Cloning a Poinsettia
Intro: Cloning a Poinsettia
Poinsettia is a plant species indigenous to Mexico and Central America. It is particularly well known for its red and green foliage and is widely used in Christmas floral displays. It derives its name from Joel Roberts Poinsett,[2] the first United States Minister to Mexico,[3] who introduced the plant into the United States in 1825.
So, this instructable is going to demonstrate how to clone one.
Materials needed;
* Sharp knife
* Cloning powder
* Plastic cups
* Jiffy pods
* H2O
* Poinsettia plant
Step one, cut the 3 plastic cups about 3" from the bottom. This is what you will place the finished clones in.
Step two, soak the Jiffy pods for about 5 minutes or until they are about 2" tall. You will see them grow as they hydrate from the water they are soaking in.
Step three, on a "green" section of the plants branches, select a portion about 2" - 3" long and cut it with a sharp knife on an angle.
Step four, run the cut section under tap water, or any bottled water if the water in your area is rough.
Step five, dip the wet end of the new clone into the clone powder. I used the cheap Wallmart brand and have had great results with it.
Step six, gently push the end of the clone into the Jiffy pod and place it into one of the cups. Place your new clones in a bright place but not in direct sunlight. I use 2x40watt florescent lights about 10" over the tops of the leaves and this works out well.
Make sure you keep the Jiffy pots moist but not soaked or your clones will rot.
In about 10 days you should see little white roots growing out from the sides of the pods, at this point, plant them in soil that has a mix of shredded packing peanuts, or some other element that will keep the soil less compact.
So, this instructable is going to demonstrate how to clone one.
Materials needed;
* Sharp knife
* Cloning powder
* Plastic cups
* Jiffy pods
* H2O
* Poinsettia plant
Step one, cut the 3 plastic cups about 3" from the bottom. This is what you will place the finished clones in.
Step two, soak the Jiffy pods for about 5 minutes or until they are about 2" tall. You will see them grow as they hydrate from the water they are soaking in.
Step three, on a "green" section of the plants branches, select a portion about 2" - 3" long and cut it with a sharp knife on an angle.
Step four, run the cut section under tap water, or any bottled water if the water in your area is rough.
Step five, dip the wet end of the new clone into the clone powder. I used the cheap Wallmart brand and have had great results with it.
Step six, gently push the end of the clone into the Jiffy pod and place it into one of the cups. Place your new clones in a bright place but not in direct sunlight. I use 2x40watt florescent lights about 10" over the tops of the leaves and this works out well.
Make sure you keep the Jiffy pots moist but not soaked or your clones will rot.
In about 10 days you should see little white roots growing out from the sides of the pods, at this point, plant them in soil that has a mix of shredded packing peanuts, or some other element that will keep the soil less compact.
2 Comments
lostcub 9 years ago
It's been my experience, poinsettias are actually quite easy to clone. While none of these steps are wrong. Some could be considered redundant. I don't hear much about rooting hormone anymore and I've personally never seen it aid in rooting either. I have found poinsettias root exceptionally well in just compost. Personally I use a compost made from......grass clippings. I even go ahead use the same pot I want to flower them in too. No transplanting needed. One would even be surprised that they can be clone even months before flowering them too. Last year, when I started the flowering cycle, I accidently broke off a branch from one of my parent trees, moving them back inside. (Poinsettias do best outside in partial sun during the summer.) Water them everyday if it's hot) It rooted in the compost and flowered. Though it did look a bit ugly, and I named it the Ugly poinsettia. However, I can't tell it apart from my other cuttings I made last year. I'm starting to parare for this season too. Another thing, if leaves start to roll up, don't add more water (unless it's dry), reduce light. Most plant can be grow under a 22W compact florescent within a few feet. Cuttings need time to develop their roots and too much light can cause leaves to roll up and fall off as it's too much them. I have found setting the lights on banking hours (9 to 5) is a failsafe way to flower them too.
wilgubeast 11 years ago