A friend once told me that one of the most satisfying plants to propgate is a papyrus. And all you need to do was turn the stem upside down in some water. And after a while it grows roots.
I was incredulous and didn't really believe her until I tried it for myself. And even then it was only given real kudus when I happened to see Alan Titchmarsh performing the same "trick" of papyrus propagation on a Gardeners World Programme.
Papyrus is an attractive, ornamental rush that can be grown outside in a pot (standing in water) or boggy ground during the warm summer months. Each stem grows up to a metre tall and is topped with an umbrella of green foliage. They are, however not hardy and should either be brought inside (where they will flourish as a house plant) or used in a similar way to summer bedding.
A papyrus plant at the front of a warm, south facing corner of the garden with agapanthus, paulownia tomentosa and solanum crispin.
So this is how you do it
• Cut a stalk 8 to 10 inches long.
• Turn the cutting upside down and place the leaves in water.
• The leaves may go a bit brown. Don't worry about that. Keep changing the water. After about 3 weeks roots will form.
• Pot it up and keep well watered and soon you will have a new plant and you can take more cuttings.
So there it is. How to take papyrus cuttings. Easy as 1, 2, 3.
Interesting, but where to you get the original start and would it grow in Colorado, zone 5?
ReplyDeleteIt's a bit like friendship cake,and cuttings get passed around. Unfortunately all my died last year in the greenhouse and I wasn't near any friends that had it so I had to order a couple of plants online. Papyrus reproduction line has commenced! I think it's too cold in Zone 5, Ann. I think you would need to overwinter it inside.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip! Looks easy! Who would have ever thought to turn it upside down!
ReplyDeleteso easy Janet I wish I had done it. What an elegant plant and one to remember for next year. Thanks for the lesson - gardening made simple is what suits me
ReplyDeleteI'm glad people enjoyed that easy to do bit of propagation. Next week we'll move on "Spliced Side Grafting"....
ReplyDeletelooks easy enough..will do..
ReplyDeletecurious could you use rooting hormone and put in a starting medium? ideas?
ReplyDeleteGreggo, I've never used rooting medium. It has never needed it.
ReplyDeleteThat is very easy. Thanks for the tips!
ReplyDeleteNow this I just have to try! I have it self seeding around my pond, never in a sensible place, but here is a great way to make sure I have new plants for a good location each year. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWhat an informative post. You know, I don't think I've ever seen a papyrus plant. Thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteFascinating and not what you would expect to do. I shall be keeping a look out for Papyrus so I can give it a try!
ReplyDeleteI get a real kick out of (successful) propagating and this is just about the easiest along with sage cuttings.
ReplyDelete