Last fall I bought a ‘Montauk’ daisy (Nipponanthemum nipponicum) from the discount rack. This perennial daisy looked extremely green for the time of year but I thought the plant had propagation potential. The stems were young, almost like the plant hadn’t been out of the greenhouse for very long. Because of that fact I thought why not try to make more of the ‘Montauk’ daisy from cuttings just in case the plant doesn’t make it through our winter?
The perennial’s stems were ideal for stem tip cuttings which normally I would do in the spring and summer (those are the best times for cuttings of many perennials). Fall is not the best time to do greenwood stem cuttings since they will not have enough time to harden off before the killing winter cold. My solution around the winter cold problem was to bring the Montauk daisy cuttings indoors to grow until Spring.
I took 5 cuttings in the fall and the other day – after a whole winter indoors – I was able to put the rooted Montauk daisy cuttings outside in a pot under a cover of plastic. I’ll move them soon to the garden shed where the daytime temperatures are regularly up in the 70’s to help boost their growth!
How to Propagate a Montauk Daisy
- In the spring or summer take stem tip cuttings with about 3 nodes.
- Dip the cut end in rooting hormone
- Stick the cutting in moist sand, sand and peat, or another propagating medium.
- Keep the cuttings moist until rooting at or around 70 degrees.
- I didn’t cover the cuttings but if you have problems with the soil medium drying out a plastic bag propped up can help maintain the humidity!
My cuttings rooted a couple months ago but needed to be kept indoors where the temperatures were constant. 5 out of 5 cuttings rooted so this is yet another easy plant to propagate!
Need some ideas or help for propagating plants? Here are some plant propagation resources to check out! Plant Propagation Resources
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We live in Iowa (zone 4). Last fall when we were in Cape Cod, we were so taken with the Montauk daisies there that I bought one at a garden center there, knowing it would be a risk in our zone, but willing to take the risk for this great perennial. It made it through the winter just fine. However, now it seems to be plagued with some kind of choking vine growth. It is cutting off some of the branches and leaves. We keep trimming back the vining growth, but it actually seems to be growing out of the branches of the bush. None of our other plants are afflicted with this vine. Have you ever seen this? Any suggestions? Thanks
It could be a few different vines but my bet would be one one called bindweed. It's aggressive and loves to wrap around plants. What do the leaves look like? You can send me a picture if you want at thehomegarden@gmail.com.
Hi,
Last year my mother-in-law gave me Montauk Daisy seeds from her garden. I planted them in a pot in late winter and it took forever for them to grow to a significant size. They are still in the pot (outside in the sun) and are about 4 inches in height and very green and healthy. Is it too late to transplant them in my garden now?
Thank you.
Denise