Nerve Plant, also known as Fittonia, is a popular houseplant that has become increasingly popular over the years. It is famous for its beautiful appearance and easy-to-maintain nature. Propagating this plant at home can be an interesting way to expand your collection of nerve plants or share it with friends and family.
In this blog post, we will guide you through step-by-step instructions on how to propagate nerve plants successfully.
What you need
Before starting your propagation journey, it’s essential to collect all the necessary tools and equipment. Here are the items you will need:
– A healthy mother plant
– Pruning shears
– A small container or pot
– Humidity dome (optional)
– Potting soil
Make sure that the Mother Plant is healthy before attempting propagation. The plant should not have any signs of diseases or pests and should be actively growing.
Types of Propagation
There are two common ways to propagate Nerve Plants: Stem Cuttings and Division – let us explore both methods in detail below:
Stem Cuttings
Stem cutting involves snipping off a piece of stem from the mother plant with leaves attached. It’s a simple method that requires minimal effort compared to other forms of propagation.
Here are steps for taking stem cuttings:
1. Using pruning shears, make several cuttings about 4 inches long.
2. Remove leaves from bottom one inch part.
3. Dip ends in rooting hormone powder.
4.Place cutting into prepared soil mixture until fully covered.
5.Mist cutting daily with water until new growth appears indicating roots have developed which takes about three months usually.
Division
Division involves splitting up an existing nerve plant into multiple parts each having their own root system; thus allowing them to grow independently without relying on each other for nutrients.
Here are steps for division:
1. Carefully remove the mother plant from its container.
2. Gently separate the roots and stems into multiple parts.
3. Plant each divided portion in a new pot or containers.
4.Mist the newly potted plants daily until they’ve established their root systems.
Caring for your Propagated Nerve Plant
Propagated nerve plants need to be cared for just like their parent plants, as they require similar growing conditions.
Here are some tips on how to care for your propagated nerve plant:
– Water thoroughly when soil is dry to touch
– Maintain moderate humidity around them (use a sprayer if needed)
– Avoid direct sunlight exposure; place them in bright but indirect light
– Fertilize lightly every two weeks during growing season with indoor organic fertilizers
In conclusion, propagating Fittonia can be easy and fun by following these simple steps outlined above.
Whether you decide to divide or take stem cuttings from your mother plant, remember that proper care is essential for successful growth of propagated nerve plants. With this guide, you will have healthy baby Fittonias in no time!
