To propagate hibiscus (Hibiscus spp.), you would use a technique called air layering.
As previously mentioned, many species of plants are excellent at self-propagating by sending out roots from their stems when they are in contact with moist growing media. In this topic, we'll look at some of the most common approaches to layering and we'll look at a technique that's great at producing new blackberry and raspberry plants.
From The Plant Propagator's Bible, the main types of layering are:
| Type of layering | Plant |
|---|---|
| Tip layering – the tip of a stem is pressed down into the growing medium | Blackberries, raspberries (Rubus spp.) |
| Simple and serpentine layering – every second node of the stem is covered by growing media | Kiwifruits (Actinida spp.) Bougainvilleas (Bougainvillea spp.) Daphnes (Daphne spp.) Pittosporums (Pittosporum spp.) Blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) Grapes (Vitis spp.) |
| Air layering – a cut is made in the stem above ground, this is held open and then wrapped in damp peat moss | Figs (Ficus spp.) Citrus (Citrus spp.) Camellias (Camellia spp.) Hibiscuses (Hibiscus spp.) |
| Stooling or mound layering – mounding up growing media around stems | Lavenders (Lavendula spp.) Gooseberries, blackcurrants (Ribes spp.) Apple rootstocks (Malus spp.) |
| French layering (also called trench layering) – bury the entire length of a stem apart from the last 2-3 nodes | Walnuts (Juglans spp.) Apple rootstock (Malus spp.) Cherry rootstocks (Prunus spp.) Peach rootstocks (Prunus spp.) Pears (Pyrus spp.) Willows (Salix spp.) |
| Dropping – dig up the plant and replant it deeper to form roots on the buried stems | Cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon) Blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) |
Tip laying is a really simple way of propagating blackberries and raspberries.
Take a look at this video from EdibleAcres (7:54) that shows how easy and effective tip layering can be:
The Plant Propagator's Bible also provides a good overview of how to carry out tip layering starting on page 100.
Activity – Propagating plants
Now it's your turn! Head out into your garden and see what plants could be propagated asexually. If it's the right time of year, why not give it a go? Share your experience in a garden journal post if you like.
