- Purple leaf plums propagate from softwood cuttings. Softwood is the stage of a stem or branch's growth where it is between green and woody. A good way to tell if the stem is softwood is to bend the middle of it. If it snaps, it's softwood. The best time to take the purple leaf plum softwood cutting is right after buds are initiated. Although this period varies according to region, it generally occurs in late summer. Take the cutting in the morning on a cool day and immediately wrap it in damp paper towels to keep it from drying out.
- Use a 5- to 6-inch piece from the tip of the cutting. Remove and discard all the foliage with the exception of two leaves at the tip. The remaining foliage helps the cutting carry out photosynthesis while it develops a root system. Wounding the cutting helps it root faster, so use a sharp knife to slice the outside bark from the bottom inch of the cutting on adjacent sides. Finally, dip the wounded end into a rooting hormone before sticking it into the soil.
- Use a light planting medium to propagate the purple leaf plum cutting. The medium should hold a little moisture while draining quickly. Vermiculite or coarse sand are ideal for rooting. Fill a planting pot to within 1/2 inch of the rim with the material and moisten it, allowing it to drain completely before planting the cutting. Never allow the soil to dry out while the cutting is forming roots.
- Purple leaf plums require 100 percent humidity while rooting. Unless you have a misting system, you need to provide this humidity. Placing the pot holding the cutting into a plastic bag and sealing it is one of the best ways to maintain this humidity. This creates a minigreenhouse, supplying the cutting with constant humidity. It's important to not allow the plastic to touch the cutting to avoid rot. Craft sticks or small steaks stuck into the soil, around the perimeter of the pot, holds the plastic away from the cutting.
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