Reader's question: MRS Garnet has a fuchsia that was given to her by her father before he died earlier in the year and would like to take some cuttings to give to her children as a living legacy.

She has heard that it is fairly easy to take fuchsia cuttings, but wants a step by step process on what to do.

THE fuchsia is indeed quite easy to propagate from home cuttings. Although they will root very easily from April to August, the ideal time is from April to May and it’s best carried out on a cloudy day.

Always cut just below the point where a leaf joins the stem (node) because this is where the greatest concentration of hormones is found.

Make sure you use a very sharp instrument as this reduces the risk of ragged edges which may encourage infection. Look for a point a few nodes further up the stem and cut off just above a node which has at least one leaf growing from it. Try and get a length between one and three inches.

If the stem is left too long on the cutting, it will encourage the possibility of botrytis and the cutting will eventually rot.

Carefully remove the bottom pair of leaves, along with any others along the stem apart from one or two right at the top of the cutting. This means the plant is diverting its energies into forming roots and not wasting them keeping excess leaves alive. At least one leaf or part of a leaf is needed, though, in order to create the energy. If there are any flower buds on the tip remove them as well.

The cutting should be inserted into a loose compost (a handful of sand thrown in helps) about half the length of the stem below the second pair of leaves. I have never used hormone rooting powder for any of my cuttings, but if you do want to use some, powdered seaweed is a perfect organic alternative to the chemical preparations on offer. Don’t forget to place a name label with the cuttings.

Shade from direct sunlight, water softly and try to maintain humidity for a few weeks while the roots are forming.

It really shouldn’t take any more than two to three weeks for the cuttings to take. Check if there are any roots poking out from the bottom of the pot or tray. I have seen so many people tug at the cutting to see if it has rooted only to snap the delicately formed shoots and ruin a month’s worth of work.

Simply pot them on when they are ready and you have your new plants for free.

Jobs this week

■ REMOVE faded flowers on perennials such as lupins and delphiniums. Early pruning often encourages a second flush of flowers late in the season. Cut the flower spike down to just above a new shoot or leaf, and give each plant a generous liquid feed to encourage fresh growth.

■ HARVEST beetroot and other crops while they are still young and tender.

Early potatoes will be ready to harvest soon. Check one plant first to assess crop size. Leave them to develop further if the potatoes are too small, and water the rows every week.

Brigid presents the BBC Tees Gardening show on Sundays from 1pm to 2pm. Questions can be answered on the day by emailing brigidpress@bbc.co.uk anytime during the week, or texting 07786-200995 and phoning 01642-225511 during the show.