6 Fruits to Propagate from Cuttings

Growing fruit is amazing, and propagating fruit from cuttings makes it even better. It’s free fruit!

Buying established fruit plants is great if you’re looking to be able to harvest pretty quickly. But propagating fruit from cuttings is a cheap or even free way to clone fruits, and all you need is a healthy existing plant to cut from. Another benefit to cuttings is the ability to clone your favorite fruit varieties! Choose fruits suited for your climate and keep in mind that most cuttings will take 2-3 years or more to bear fruit.

1. Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.):Softwood propagation - cut twigs in late spring from the tip of existing canes. Hardwood propagation - cut canes during the midwinter dormant season. Root your blueberry cuttings in a low-pH growing medium and keep them moist before planting them in the ground the following spring.
2. Blackberry & Raspberry (Rubus spp.):Brambles are excellent to propagate from cuttings. Take your cuttings around late summer from the tip of a primocane (bright green, bendy cane that grew this year). Root in potting soil and they should be set to plant in the ground in about two months, plant before winter.
3. Currant(Ribes spp.): Cut foot long cuttings from one year old wood in the late winter. Plant 2/3 of your foot long stem in potting soil to root, keep moist and in the shade. Plant in the ground the following autumn.
4. Elderberry (Sambucus spp.):Take softwood cuttings in early summer from the tips of green, bendy shoots. Place in potting soil and keep moist so they can root. Plant outside after about three months.
5. Fig (Ficus spp.): Take 8 inch long cuttings in the early spring from branches that are 1/2inch thick. Root in potting soil and keep moist but not too wet. Store potted cuttings in a warm sunny window, greenhouse, cold frame, under a 2 liter bottle with the bottom cut off, or under a clear plastic bag to keep warm and humid. Plant outside in early summer once new growth has appeared.
6. Mulberry (Morus spp.): Take foot long cuttings from soft, bendy branches in the late winter. Root in growing medium. Store your potted cuttings in a warm sunny window, greenhouse, cold frame, under a 2 liter bottle with the bottom cut off, or under a clear plastic bag to keep warm and humid. Place the container outside in the sun once the weather gets warm AND your cuttings develop new leaves. Water daily. Fall of that same year, plant your cuttings outside. TIP: If you’re cutting from wild mulberries, take several cuttings from different trees to help pollination and fruit set.

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