Simon Akeroyd, a former RHS gardening expert, has revealed a simple hack that could save gardeners money by producing 'loads of free plants' at home. The tip, shared on his Instagram account, involves using recycled supermarket fruit containers and leaf cuttings from a Cape Primrose (Streptocarpus).
In a video tutorial, Akeroyd demonstrated the step-by-step process: cut a healthy leaf lengthways along the midrib, insert the cut edge into peat-free compost in a container with drainage holes, then place the other half of the leaf (with midrib removed) into the compost. He then covers the container with another supermarket container to act as a makeshift propagator and leaves it on a windowsill.
The expert, who has over 802,000 Instagram followers, learned this technique while working at RHS Wisley. The video has garnered more than 24,000 likes and comments from users hailing him as a 'genius' and calling the result 'magical'. One user commented, 'Great tip! You are so dedicated and have such knowledge.'
Another follower from New Zealand wrote, 'Thanks for all the videos you make! I enjoy them immensely but I'm in New Zealand so I'll start watching them six months behind so the seasons are in sync.' The hack has inspired many to try propagating plants at home, reducing trips to the garden centre.
