Dieffenbachia (family araceae)

[237SJ]

I`ve got a Dieffenbachia in the living room that I`ve had for years and it`s done really well but it has outgrown itself and gone straggley. I will probably have to get rid of it so I would like to try taking a cutting. I`m hopeless with plants so is it possible and how do I do it?

[foxyferret]

Two methods. If the plant is leggy and its stem is bare at the base, cut off the tip shoot and keep it in water until roots develop. Plant the shoot in a moistened equal parts mixture of peat and sand. Enclose in a poly bag or propagator with a dome. Keep in bright indirect light. When the roots are established, remove the poly bag or take out of the propagator. Water the plant, apply a liquid feed and repot into slightly larger pot. Second Method. From the remaining bare stem you can take stem cuttings. Cut into 3 inch sections and place cuttings on their sides in the soil with an eye upward, (the plant, not you he he). An eye is the point where a leaf emerges. Cover the shoots with polythene and keep at 22 degrees C or 72 degrees F. After 2 to 3 weeks roots should have developed. Pot up the individual sections into smallish pots. Good luck

[237SJ]

Thanks for that very helpful info and for taking the time. I think I`ll try the second method. It sounds easier and my living room should be the right temperature for the next few weeks.