Question
QUESTION: I thought I read on the internet that you could prune these plants down when they are overgrown and replant the cuttings in soil.  Today I read something that you have to put the cuttings in water to root them.  Can you tell me what to do before the cuttings die in the soil.  I love these plants, but they grow so tall.

ANSWER: Sandi,

Dip your cuttings in rooting hormone and insert them in a fresh pot of soil. This is best done in the spring when the days are getting longer but if you have already taken the cuttings you have no choice. The rooting hormone will improve your chances of your cuttings rooting. Spring is always the best time to propagte plants. In the fall the days are getting shorter and plants get semi dormant. Good luck.

Darlene

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Sorry, I guess I was not absolutely clear in my question.  The chinese evergreens are house plants.  Does the time of year still make a difference since the temperature inside is the same all of the time. (76)  I live in Florida and mostly they do not survive outside.

Thanks, and again, sorry for not being clear in my question.

Answer
Sandi,

I know they are houseplants, it is not the temperature that makes the difference, it is the fact that the days are getting shorter and even houseplants go into a semi dormant state during the shorter days where they do not grow roots or top growth as actively as they do during the spring and summer when days are lengthening. You are still best off dipping them in rooting hormone and inserting them in soil to root. Good luck.

Darlene