Plant propagation is a vast subject, and a huge industry. Most nursery stock, fruit trees and ornamentals are propagated from cuttings; then nurtured over time to a delivery for sale.

Here we discuss taking a simple cutting, promote rooting and finally development into a plant.

I started with a fuchsia; taking a 3-4 inch cutting, dipping in a rooting compound then installing into potting soil. Rooting compound contains a small percentage of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) or synthetic auxin. IBA promotes plant growth including roots.

It's helpful to place a jelly or pickle jar over the newly planted cutting. This serves to conserve moisture as simple inexpensive greenhouse. Keep the cutting moist and out of direct sunlight. In less than a month, the plant can be transferred to a larger container and exposed to the elements…gently.

An easy and fun way to introduce an aspect of gardening, or to thank someone. Have fun!