Types of stem cutting

i) Hard Wood Cuttings:

• E.g. Grape, Pomegranate, Fig, Mulberry, Acalypha, Rose etc
• This is least expensive and easiest method
• Hard wood cuttings are not readily perishable and may be shifted safely over long distance , if necessary
• The cutting usually prepared during the dormant season and from the wood of the previous season growth
• The shoot of long inter nodal length should not be selected
• The length of cutting is kept to 10-45 cm
• The cutting must possess at least two to three buds The lower cut is made round just below the node and the upper cut is given about 1-2 cm above the upper node in slanting manner
• Cutting in this manner helps in identifying lower and upper portion of cutting
• The lower portion of cutting is planted in soil
• The cutting is taken during November- February before commencement of sprouting

ii) Semi – hard Wood Cuttings:

• In this type of cutting, 4 to 9 months old shoot of semi hard nature is used for raising new plants
• Basal leaves from the shoots are removed
• Terminal 2-4 leaves are left intact with shoot
• Mostly this type of cuttings is prepared during rainy season
• High humidity during the season prevents drying of cuttings
• This type of cutting is usually practised for fruits evergreen plants like mango, guava, jackfruit, lemon, aonla etc.
• The cuttings respond well after treating with rooting hormone
• Treatment of IBA at the rate of 5000 ppm is effective in inducing rooting in such type of cuttings

iii) Soft Wood Cutting:

• This type of cutting is not practised for fruits
• Humidity requirement being very high, practising this cutting is not possible in open condition
• Soft wood cutting is practised under mist chamber
• Shoots of 2-3 months age are selected for soft wood cuttings
• The length of cutting is kept 10-15 cm
• Apple, peach, guava and many ornamental plants can be propagated under mist chamber using soft wood cuttings

iv) Herbaceous cutting

• Mostly ornamental plants are raised through herbaceous cuttings
• Shoots of 1-2 month are selected for cuttings
• Alternanthera, coleus, pilea, eupatorium, etc. are propagated by herbaceous cutting.