Stem Cutting
/STEM KUT-ing/✂️ Propagation● Basic
Also known as: cutting, vegetative cutting, slip
A piece of stem, usually 3–6 inches long, taken from a parent plant and induced to form adventitious roots, creating a genetically identical clone. Cuttings are classified by their maturity: softwood (new growth in spring), semi-hardwood (partially matured summer growth), and hardwood (dormant wood in winter). Success depends on the species, cutting type, rooting medium, humidity, and sometimes rooting hormone application.
Etymology
Old English stemn (stem, trunk) + Old English cutting (a piece cut off)
Example
“Take softwood cuttings of lavender in early summer, dip in rooting hormone, and place in a sandy mix under a humidity dome.”