06-24-2007, 02:59 PM
Aloha, John. I have propagated Tahitian Gardenia by rooting cuttings. Using a rooting powder like Rootone (available at WalMart) helps. You can buy rooting media at nurseries, but I have had good luck with a 50-50 mix of cinders and quality potting soil. The Rootone packet will have instructions. Haven't done puakinikini myself, but I'm told it works the same as gardenia.
Heliconia propagate by separating keiki off the clumps of plants. After the heliconia are established, they produce new shoots appearing near the base of the of the original planting. Once the keikis start leafing, brush the soil away from where they connect to the mother plant. They will be connected, but there should be a narrow spot on the connection where you can cut it. Then gently dig around the keiki and remove it, trying to get the bulb-like clump at its base intact and as much of the roots as possible. The newly separated plant should be potted or transplanted right away and watered well. Heliconia are amazingly durable, and I have had separations that I thought were badly botched make beautiful new plants.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Jerry
Heliconia propagate by separating keiki off the clumps of plants. After the heliconia are established, they produce new shoots appearing near the base of the of the original planting. Once the keikis start leafing, brush the soil away from where they connect to the mother plant. They will be connected, but there should be a narrow spot on the connection where you can cut it. Then gently dig around the keiki and remove it, trying to get the bulb-like clump at its base intact and as much of the roots as possible. The newly separated plant should be potted or transplanted right away and watered well. Heliconia are amazingly durable, and I have had separations that I thought were badly botched make beautiful new plants.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Jerry