Rooting Eucalyptus Cuttings & Cross-Pollinating Cockscomb: Two Quick Guides

Rooting Eucalyptus from Hardwood Cuttings

1. Timing: Spring or early summer.
2. Material: 4-inch (10 cm) semi-hardwood cuttings (firm but not fully woody).
3. Prep: Strip lower leaves; keep top 2–3.
4. Hormone: Dip in rooting powder (IBA 0.3–0.8%).
5. Medium: Wet coarse sand or perlite.
6. Humidity: Seal pot in large clear plastic bag. Keep warm (70–75°F / 21–24°C).
7. Light: Bright indirect—no direct sun (cooks in bag).
8. Moisture: Keep sand damp, not soggy.
9. Timeline: 4–10 weeks. Check for roots when new leaves appear.
10. Transplant: Pot individually after significant root growth.

Cross-Pollinating Cockscomb (Celosia argentea var. cristata)

• Yes, they cross-pollinate readily—insects transfer pollen between varieties.
• To control crosses: bag flowers before opening, hand-pollinate with a brush, re-bag.
• Seed from crosses produces variable offspring—how new cultivars are developed.
• Isolate by 500+ ft or use cages for pure lines.

Eucalyptus roots slowly but reliably; cockscomb crosses are easy and fun for creating your own color combinations.