Juurrutus

Juurrutus is a horticultural term used in Finnish to describe propagation by rooting cuttings. The technique involves taking a portion of a plant and encouraging it to form new roots so that the cutting can grow as an independent plant. Juurrutus is commonly used to clone desirable cultivars and to propagate species that do not reliably set seed.

Process and conditions: Cuttings can be softwood, semi-hardwood, or hardwood, prepared by removing lower leaves and cutting just below a node. To promote root initiation, cuttings may be treated with a rooting hormone containing auxins, such as indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) or indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). The cuttings are placed in a well-drained rooting medium or kept in water, kept in high humidity, and provided with indirect light and stable temperatures, typically around 20-25°C. Once roots develop, the cutting is potted and grown as a young plant.

Scope and considerations: Juurrutus is widely used for fruit trees, ornamental shrubs, and many herbaceous perennials. Advantages include rapid production of clonal plants and preservation of desirable traits; limitations include variable success rates, the need for careful hygiene, and vulnerability to disease under high humidity. In Nordic horticulture, juurrutus is a common technique taught in nurseries and garden education, reflecting both practice and terminology used in Finnish plant propagation.