Propagation of Dieffenbachia

Abstract

Sphagnum moss was a better potting medium than sand-peat mixtures. Single-node cuttings from the uppermost part of the stem, just below the leaves, produced larger plants than did cuttings from basal nodes. The height of plants 117 days after planting was directly proportional to the diameters and lengths of cuttings. The time required for emergence was also indirectly proportional to cutting length. Cuttings which were pressed into the potting media until their surfaces were barely visible produced larger plants than cuttings planted 3 inches deep.Dieffenbachia varieties responded similarly to the treatments, butD. amoena grew faster thanD. picta, D. picta ‘Exotica’ andD. picta ‘Rudolph Roehrs.’