Acacia cutting propagation isn’t very difficult. But if you want to start growing acacia plants from cuttings, there are a few important points to keep in mind. Read on for information on how to root acacia cuttings as well as tips on how to plant acacia cuttings.
About Acacia Cutting Propagation
When you are starting on acacia cutting propagation, remember that it is not the method of choice for all plants. Many species grow better and easier from seed. But some ornamental cultivars don’t always look like their parents plants when grown from seed. This is particularly true if you get your seeds from an area where different Acacia species (including some from different climatic zones) grow together. If there is an opportunity for the production of hybrid seed, the baby plants may not be true to type. This is when you’ll want to be propagating acacia cuttings. You are sure, by growing the plants from cuttings, to get new plants identical to the parents.
How to Root Acacia Cuttings
Growing acacia plants from cuttings starts with taking cuttings. You’ll want to clip off some half-hardened wood 2-6 inches (5-15 cm.) after the plant has flowers. Use a sterilized pruner to snip it just below a node, then remove the lower leaf-like structures and any flowers or buds. When rooting acacia cuttings, take time to dip the bases of the cuttings in rooting hormone. After that, place the cuttings in small plastic containers filled with moist potting soil. Place the cuttings under plastic or in a propagator or glass house. When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant them into larger pots some 3 inches (7 cm.) in diameter. When roots grow out the pot drain holes, repot them again into larger pots. Harden off these pots in a shady area that gets some morning sunlight for a few weeks. After that, gradually give them a little more sun each day, watering regularly to prevent them from drying out.
How to Plant Acacia Cuttings
Don’t let those young acacia plants stay in the pots too long. It’s important to move them into the garden relatively quickly since they grow long roots that make transplanting more difficult. Site is important when planting. Take your acacia cuttings, look for a sunny site with well-draining soil for the plants’ new home. Work the soil well, removing and weeds, and then dig planting holes twice the size of the pots. Young plants require moist soil. So remember to put lots of water in the planting holes and let it drain away several times before the plant goes in. Then remove the little plants and place them in the holes, roots down. Plant them at the same depth as in the container. Keep watering weekly until the new acacias are established.
