Thanks Andrew,
Sno
"Andrew G" wrote in message
...

"Snogoose" wrote in message
...
Is there any magic way to strike azalea cuttings, as a friend has
offered
me
cutting from hers. I certainly am not green thumbed in this regard.
Thanks,
Sno

Please reply to group as this email address is ficticious.

Take tip cuttings.
Get pieces approximately 6inches long.
Make the bottom cut (one that is to be put in soil) just below a
node/where
a shoot or leaf comes out. Make sure the cut is not too far below, or on
on
the node, but slightly below it.
Strip the leaves up the stem, leaving the top leaves only. Usually you
take
the bottom 2 thirds of the leaves off.
Dip this bottom cut in hormone rooting powder (kmart sell it) or vegemite.
Now get some good soil, high quality potting mix, or seed raising mix. It
must be well drain, holding moisture but water must drain out of it
quickly.
Put it in a small pot, make a hole in the soil with a very thin stick
about
the same diameter as the cutting stem.
Put the cutting in about an inch, and make sure the soil is packed back
around it.
Now you can either put this where it gets morning sun, then filtered
light,
on a window sill.
You can even put a cut off soft drink bottle over the top to make a mini
glasshouse. That would be better.
Keep the soil moist. Best way to do this is by misting the leaves twice
daily, and do the soil as well.
You can put more than one cutting in a pot.
Give them a month or 2 to get roots.
If this doesn't work, try it around Christmas time as I think this could
be
the ideal time.
Make sure the cuttings you take are not diseased, healthy looking is best.
And take twice the amount of cuttings as what you want to allow for loss.
Good luck