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Baby’s breath (Gypsophila) is the star of the cutting garden, providing delicate little blooms that dress up floral arrangements (and your garden), from midsummer to autumn. You are probably most familiar with white baby’s breath, but various shades of rosy pink are also available. If you have access to a mature baby’s breath plant, growing cuttings from baby’s breath is surprisingly easy in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 9. Let’s learn how to grow baby’s breath from cuttings, one step at a time.
With its airy sprays of tiny white blooms, baby’s breath is a favorite filler flower for bouquets and floral arrangements. Propagating this wispy plant yourself allows you to grow as much as you need for decorating or sharing with gardening friends. Baby’s breath propagates readily from both seed and cuttings. Follow some simple steps for the best success.
Starting Baby’s Breath from Seeds
Growing baby’s breath from seed is easy and affordable. Here’s how:
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Get seeds – Purchase baby’s breath seeds from nurseries, garden centers, or seed catalogs Look for named varieties like ‘Bristol Fairy’ or ‘Festival’.
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Pick containers – Choose containers at least 2 inches deep and with drainage holes. Options include peat pots cell packs or trays.
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Use seed starting mix – Fill containers with a lightweight, soilless mix made for seeds. This ensures good drainage.
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Plant seeds – Sow seeds on the mix surface and gently press in. Water lightly with a spray bottle to moisten.
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Cover and keep warm – Cover seeds with plastic wrap or a humidity dome to retain moisture. Keep between 60-70°F.
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Uncover after sprouting – Once seedlings emerge in 10-14 days, remove the cover. Move to full sunlight.
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Thin seedlings – For sturdy growth, thin to 1-2 seedlings per cell or space them a few inches apart in trays.
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Transplant outside – After 8-10 weeks when seedlings have 3-4 leaves, harden off and transplant to the garden. Add a general fertilizer to planting holes.
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Caring for plants – Water when soil dries out and fertilize monthly. Trim off spent blooms to encourage reblooming.
Propagating Baby’s Breath by Cuttings
You can also propagate baby’s breath from tip cuttings taken from established plants:
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Get cuttings – Use healthy, vigorous side shoots 3-5 inches long with no flowers. Make cuts just below leaf nodes with clean shears.
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Treat cuttings – Dip the cut end in rooting hormone powder to spur root growth. Tap off excess.
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Plant cuttings – Poke holes in seed starting mix, perlite, or vermiculite. Insert cuttings 1-2 inches deep. Firm mix gently around stems.
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Provide humidity – Cover cuttings with plastic to lock in moisture. Place out of direct sun. Keep mix constantly moist but not soggy.
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Monitor rooting – Check for root formation in 2-3 weeks. Gently tug cuttings to test for resistance from new roots.
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Pot up rooted cuttings – Carefully pot up cuttings once roots are 1-2 inches long. Use a well-draining soilless mix. Keep sheltered for 1-2 weeks as they establish.
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Grow on – Once potted cuttings resume growth, introduce to full sun over 7-10 days. Fertilize monthly. Transplant to the garden after frost once they are actively growing.
With the right care, seeds and cuttings will quickly give you beautiful drifts of baby’s breath for floral displays and the landscape. Enjoy their delicate blooms!
Baby’s Breath Cutting Propagation
Fill a container with good quality commercial potting mix. Water well and set the pot aside to drain until the potting mix is moist but not dripping.
Taking Gypsophila cuttings is simple. Select several healthy baby’s breath stems. Cuttings from baby’s breath should each be about 3 to 5 inches (8-13 cm.) in length. You can plant several stems, but be sure they aren’t touching.
Dip the cut end of the stems into rooting hormone, then plant the stems in the moist potting mix with about 2 inches (5 cm.) of stem above the soil. (Before planting, remove any leaves that will be under the soil or touching the soil).
Place the pot in a clear plastic bag to create a warm, humid environment for the baby’s breath cuttings. Place the pot in a warm spot where the Gypsophila cuttings aren’t exposed to bright sunlight. The top of a refrigerator or other warm appliance works well.
Check the pot regularly and water lightly if the potting mix feels dry. Very little water will be needed when the pot is covered with plastic.
After about a month, check for roots by tugging lightly on the cuttings. If you feel resistance to your tug, the cuttings have rooted and each can be moved into an individual pot. Remove the plastic at this time.
How to Grow Gypsophila from Seed | Baby’s Breath | 3 Ways to Grow
FAQ
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