how to propagate arugula plant propogation made easy

How to Propagate Arugula: Plant Propagation Made Easy

Arugula also known as rocket or roquette, is a fast-growing leafy green that adds a peppery punch to salads pizzas, pastas, and more. The good news is arugula is very easy to propagate from cuttings, allowing you to expand your crop with minimal effort. In this guide, we’ll walk through the ins and outs of propagating arugula at home using simple techniques. Let’s dive in and learn how!

Start with Healthy Cuttings

The starting point for propagation is obtaining healthy arugula stem cuttings. Look for stems that are green, firm, and free from discoloration or disease. The ideal cuttings will be around 4-6 inches long. You can source arugula cuttings a few different ways:

• From your own mature arugula plant – Prune some stems off an established arugula plant, being sure not to damage the mother plant. New growth will emerge rapidly.

• From grocery store bunches – Buy a bundle of fresh arugula greens from the market. Cut the rubber bands off and use the stems.

• From farmer’s market greens – Chat with vendors at your local farmer’s market to get arugula stem cuttings.

The most important factor is the quality and health of the cutting itself. Avoid cuttings that are wilted, dried out or rotting. Harvest your cuttings in the morning before the day warms up.

Choosing Your Propagation Method

Once you have your arugula cuttings, it’s time to choose your propagation method. You can opt for:

• Soil propagation – Stick cuttings directly into potting mix.
• Hydroponic propagation – Suspend cuttings in water.
• Aeroponic propagation – Mist cuttings with a fine spray in a enclosed environment.

Soil propagation is the most traditional route. However, aeroponic and hydroponic propagation are great options if you want to watch the rooting process more closely. All three methods work well for arugula.

Easy Soil Propagation

If opting for soil propagation, follow these simple steps:

1. Prepare your potting mix. Use a lightweight, sterile seed starting mix or compost-enriched potting soil.

2. Moisten the soil and fill your containers. Small pots, cell packs, or seed trays all work well.

3. Make a hole in the soil with a pencil about 2 inches deep.

4. Remove any leaves and insert the cuttings into the holes. About 2/3 of the stem should be buried.

5. Gently firm up the soil. Water thoroughly until it runs out the drainage holes.

6. Place your pots in a sunny spot or under grow lights. Keep the soil consistently moist.

7. In 1-3 weeks, you should see new leaves emerging as roots establish.

8. When the cuttings are showing robust new growth, transplant into bigger containers or the garden. Enjoy your propagated plants!

DIY Hydroponic Propagation

For a fun propagation project, try the hydroponic water method:

Supplies Needed:

• Arugula cuttings
• Clear glass jar or cup
• Fresh water
• Pebbles or marbles (optional)

Steps:

1. Fill your glass 3/4 with fresh water. Add pebbles if you want.

2.Remove any leaves from the lower 2 inches of the cutting. Make a clean slice at the bottom.

1. Place 2-3 cuttings in the glass, immersing just the lower 1/4 of the stems.

2. Add more water to cover the cut portion fully.

3. Sit your glass in a sunny window and change the water every 2-3 days.

4. Look for roots to emerge from the nodes within 1-2 weeks.

5. When firmly rooted, plant your cuttings in soil or a hydroponic system.

This method allows you to observe the fascinating process of roots emerging right before your eyes. Kids will love checking root progress daily!

propagation tips

Here are some tips for propagation success:

• Avoid overcrowding cuttings to prevent disease – space 2-3 inches apart.

• Keep soil or water consistently moist, but not soaked.

• Provide high humidity by covering pots with plastic or spraying leaves.

• Give cuttings full sunlight if possible, around 6 hours per day.

• Snip off any flowers that form to encourage leaf growth initially.

• Transplant newly propagated plants once they have a well-established root system.

With a little practice, you’ll be propagating arugula like a pro! Enjoy expanding your greens while honing your gardening skills.

Enjoy Homegrown Arugula

One of the joys of propagating arugula yourself is being able to harvest homegrown greens. The flavor and nutritional quality of fresh-cut arugula is unbeatable. Adding some zing to your next salad or sandwich with your own propagated arugula takes it to the next level!

You can also preserve abundance by:

• Freezing chopped arugula to throw into smoothies, soups, and sauces all year.

• Infusing arugula into olive oil to make flavored cooking oil.

• Dehydrating leaves to use as a seasoning sprinkle.

With so many possibilities, a productive arugula patch propagated from cuttings is a wonderful asset for any home cook or gardener. Get your propagation on and enjoy an ample supply of deliciously peppery greens!