Cuttings and grafts
Discover how you can easily grow new plants from cuttings and how grafting works on fruit trees. Learn everything about preparation, care and the right equipment.
With some basic knowledge and the right tools, you can propagate plants yourself by cutting or grafting. This way you can give rosemary, lavender or even fruit trees a fresh start in your own garden. Discover how to choose healthy shoots, let them root well and how to combine the right rootstock when grafting for strong growth and a rich harvest, perfectly tailored to the Dutch climate.
Preparation and cultivation
The right preparation for cuttings
Start with clean, sharp tools to prevent infections and choose healthy mother plants without diseases or pests. Fill pots with light cutting soil or a mixture of peat and perlite so that excess water can drain properly. Place everything ready in a bright, draft-free place at room temperature. By planning in advance and disinfecting materials, you increase the chance that your cuttings will root quickly and grow strongly into independent plants that can withstand the Dutch weather.
Optimal conditions for rooting
After taking the cuttings, a stable microclimate is essential. Place the cuttings in a growing container or under a transparent hood to keep the humidity high, but provide regular ventilation to prevent mold. Keep the soil slightly moist, not wet, and provide indirect light. In spring or early summer the temperature is ideal for root formation. Check weekly for new growth and remove weak specimens so that the strongest plants can develop properly.
Grow into strong young plants
When the cuttings have formed sufficient roots, they can be transferred to larger pots with nutritious potting soil. Gradually get them used to outdoor conditions by putting them outside during the day and bringing them in at night. Water regularly, but avoid placing the roots in wet soil. After a few weeks, the young plants are ready to be planted in the open ground. This way, step by step, you build a healthy foundation for a blooming garden full of plants you grow yourself.
Planting and care
When to plant cuttings
Once the cuttings have developed sufficient roots and the risk of night frost has passed, they can be taken outside. Choose a cloudy day or plant in the early evening to avoid sunburn. Loosen the soil, mix some compost into the top layer and water immediately after planting. First let young plants get used to outside air by putting them outside during the day for a few days and bringing them inside at night. This way you reduce the risk of stress and promote healthy growth.
Care after planting out
After planting out, regular care is important to ensure that the young plants take root well. Keep the soil moist but not soggy and remove weeds that compete for nutrients. Do not provide strong fertilizer in the first weeks, but use a mild organic fertilizer if necessary. Check for snails and other pests, especially in humid conditions. By checking regularly and making timely adjustments, the cuttings grow into strong, resilient plants that can withstand the Dutch climate.
Grafting and aftercare in open ground
With grafted fruit trees or shrubs, aftercare is crucial for a successful connection between graft and rootstock. Make sure the grafting site remains above the ground and tie the graft firmly but not too tightly. Provide extra water during dry periods and remove shoots that appear under the grafting site, so that all energy goes to the desired branch. Check regularly for wound formation and protect young grafts against bright sun and wind. After a few months the graft is usually completely fused and ready for further growth.
Harvest and store
Time and method of harvesting
When cuttings or grafted plants are well established, it is important to harvest at the right time. Cut herbs such as rosemary or thyme on a dry morning so that the essential oils are optimally preserved. With fruit trees, wait until the fruits are fully ripe and release easily. Always use clean tools to prevent damage and work quietly, so that the plant does not experience unnecessary stress and can grow vigorously again next season.
Storing herbs and young shoots
After harvesting, you can store herbs in different ways. Hang bunches upside down in an airy, shady spot or dry them in an oven at a low temperature. For an intense aroma, you can freeze leaves in ice cubes with some water or oil. Young shoots that you want to use later for new cuttings should be stored cool and moist, for example in damp kitchen paper in the refrigerator, so that they do not dry out and maintain their vigor.
Store fruit and seeds properly
Fruit from grafted trees is best stored in a cool, dark place with sufficient ventilation, such as a cellar or shed. Check regularly for rotten specimens and remove them immediately to prevent spread. Seeds from healthy plants can be dried on paper towels and then stored in paper bags. Make a note of the type and year of harvest, so that next season you know which seeds are still germinating and suitable for new planting.
Dutch practice: Cuttings and grafts
Monthly planning for Dutch conditions
Plan cuttings and grafts based on Dutch seasons and not on general international schedules. In most regions, soil development starts from February or March, with planting out after the last chance of night frost around mid-May. In coastal areas, the soil often warms up later due to wind, while sandy soils warm up faster than clay. Work with a fixed weekly check per month: soil temperature, precipitation, disease pressure and growth rate. This way you steer based on the real Dutch weather instead of just a calendar date.
Soil choice in the Netherlands: clay, sand and peat
Soil management in the Netherlands is decisive for cuttings and grafts. On clay, structural improvement with compost and mulch helps to prevent silting. In sandy soils, moisture retention is the priority with organic matter and gentle, deeper watering. On peat soil you pay extra attention to nutritional deficiencies and a stable pH. Choose one approach per bed and evaluate it after each rainy period, because Dutch showers can cause a lot of leaching or waterlogging in a short time. By making soil choices explicit, the chance of success visibly increases.
Limiting weather risks in practice
In the Netherlands, prolonged rain, sudden temperature changes and snail pressure are the most common risks. Therefore, work preventively: sufficient plant distance for air circulation, water at the base instead of over the leaves, and a quick inspection round after wet days. When in doubt, stick to a simple decision rule: first drainage and air, then nutrition, and only then action against pests. This prevents overcorrection and makes cuttings and grafts more consistent throughout the season, even in changeable years.
Cutting powder with growth hormones
Promotes fast and powerful root formation in cuttings of rosemary, lavender and other herbs. Ideal for use in spring or early summer, when humidity is high and temperatures are mild. Ensures strong roots, a healthy start to new plants and a higher success rate when propagating.
View productGrafting knife with ergonomic handle
A sharp grafting knife is indispensable for making clean cuts when grafting fruit trees and ornamental plants. This model fits well in the hand, prevents slipping and allows precise work, which significantly increases the chance of successful growth between rootstock and graft.
View productHeated breeding box with transparent lid
Keep cuttings and young plants at a constant temperature and humidity, which accelerates rooting and prevents mold formation. The transparent lid provides sufficient light and prevents dehydration, ideal for use indoors or in an unheated greenhouse during early spring.
View product