62 HOUSE PLANTS 



different kinds of plants the length of the 

 cuttings varies in proportion to the diameter 

 of the stem and the distance between the 

 buds. For instance: a geranium cutting 

 is usually made about three or three and one 

 half inches long, while that of a heliotrope 

 is usually one and a quarter to one and a 

 half inches long. 



A sharp knife is needed so as not to bruise 

 the stem. To make a good geranium cut- 

 ting select a well-ripened end of a stem, 

 cut it off at the required length, and just 

 below a node (where a leaf is attached). 

 It is important that the cut should be made 

 just below a node, for roots are more freely 

 produced than when the cut is made between 

 the nodes. In many instances cuttings will 

 not root at all if the cut is made anywhere 

 but directly under the node. 



Trim off carefully all the leaves except 

 one at the top and trim off also all the 

 stipules, those leafy growths on the stems 

 where the leaves join. If these are left 

 on they will decay and may lead to the 

 cutting rotting, too. 



Put the cutting in the sand, setting it 

 deep enough to hold it erect, which will be 



