rooting cuttings experiment : ))

13 years ago

Okay, I love experiments so I decided to start one on rooting cuttings.

I have found all sorts of methods on the web and I have had so-so luck with plain water. They seem to be so much effort for what I think could be a relatively simple task. So here goes the experimentÃ¯Â¿Â½.

They are all under shop lights, 16 hours a day, in 65-75* temps in plastic 16oz cups (in hindsight I wish I used a clear cup so I could see the progress, but too late now!) and they will all be kept moist, not wet.

1. Pink NOID in 1" soil (bottom layer), 3" perlite with no holes (no holes = no drainage holes)

2. Pink NOID in a mix of 70% vermiculite and 30% well draining soil with holes.

3. Pink NOID in 1" soil (bottom layer) 3" perlite with holes and a humidity dome.

4. Pink NOID in 3" of vermiculite topped with 1" of sphagnum moss with holes

5. Santa Rosa with sphagnum moss rolled in clear plastic, sealed off with tape

6. Santa Rosa with denser sphagnum moss and a humidity dome.

7. Mon Amour de Mareuil in 3" of vermiculite

I picked these brugs because they have rooted with about the same success. I would have done them all the same, but I didnÃ¯Â¿Â½t have enough of one kind.

Which one do you think will root the fastest? And which one do you think will take a transplant the easiest?

I will update you when I have progress to share

YEAH! EXPERIMENTS!!

Keriann~

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Comments (24)

peanut01
13 years ago
Yaay for experiments!!!! Thank you so much for sharing!!!!

Can't wait to see the results.

-David
keriann_lakegeneva
Original Author
13 years ago
You are welcome

I will try to find time this weekend to take pictures.

I am excited to see the results!

Keriann~
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Hi Ewright, The link below shows the progress of 6 cuttings I started in water last October. Of the six cuttings I have since lost 2...devastating but I'll survive. :-) The other 4 seem very strong and I'm keeping an eagle-eye on them. Hpoefully they won't die too. Sue Here is a link that might be useful: Rooting figs in water
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The advantage to using perlite instead of vermiculite is seen in the fact that, unlike vermiculite, perlite does not collapse under its own wet weight and lose 50-75% of it's loft after a couple of waterings from the top. This collapse/compaction reduces much-needed air volume in the rooting media. 100% perlite works great for starting cuttings, as does 100% Turface (also sold as 'Schultz Soil Conditioner') or Espoma's Soil Perfector. Any combination of these ingredients will work well, too. For a really great rooting medium, try equal parts by volume of Turface, perlite, and finely chopped sphagnum moss (not peat, but sphagnum moss). The moss, even on its own, is a superb aid to root formation. It's used extensively in air-layering for that very reason. Al
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Another thing to consider---young rooted plants oftentimes have very delicate roots, and, even though they literally are coming out of the bottom of the pot. When the seller goes to clean the soil from the roots for shipping, many are lost. After a year or so the roots get really tough, but the "same year" cuttings are usually not this way. I find it no problem, really. I import plumerias from Australia and can tell you their definition of "rooted" on plants they send me means they have small nubs, or, maybe if you're lucky, more than this. The term they use is "struck" cuttings--have produced their first roots. I find that, if the plant has gone this far, it typically performs perfectly fine since it is in fact no longer just a cutting but has formed te structures it needs to survive on its own in soil. That being said, when I send customers plants, I am not comnfortable sending them plants with nubs only because US customers don't understand this and it becomes more of a headache trying to explain this to worried people than it's worth. I sometimes sell same year rooted cuttings and indicate they will have a small root system. This means typically at least a minimum of 2-5 inches in length remaining after cleaning away the soil. I also indicate when selling such plants that they are young rooted cuttings. As long as you buy them in the Spring and Summer, there really shouldn't be any problems as long as they are not overwatered or overfertilized; planted in a well-drained mix. I have seen many of these plants take off and grow like mad within a couple of weeks of planting. But, that also does depend on the time of year. To add a note on time of year: I would not recommend buying plumerias after September unless you live in a place that has warm temps right through Christmas (or better: all year), or, you have a proper greenhouse facility. Plumeria in their first year after arriving at your place late in the year can often succumb to what I call The Dreaded Winter Rot while in Winter Storage. There have been many speculations as to what causes this, but honestly, I have seen it on plants that shouldn't have gotten it otherwise if you listen to the supposed causes. ALL were young plants that hadn't been with me for over a year. I think the slowing down of the growth due to the late season is part of the problem combined with stress setting in from it being cleaned and shipped to you. This allows microorganisms the plant would normally fend off to take hold. It is a sinking feeling to find that plumeria you spent $$ on is a stick of mush when you go to get it to set out in the Spring.I am not saying all plants bought late will rot, but they are the primary ones that will have this problem. Occasionally the bigger ones get it, but this is much more rare. During dormancy ans winter storage it is crucial you do not water (unless excessive shrivelling is noted-- then give a small drink only)--especially the young ones. My plumerias go into the greenhouse around Christmas and stay there until early March because Jan and Feb are our cold months here. You can stack pots on onto the other and in between since there are no leaves; uproot in-ground plants and simply store them standing up with no soil or water (crazy, huh?). Some people in colder places put loose newspaper around the roots. I don't bother. The last two years I filled up my large greenhouse with them and they sat in there with no water until I brought them out again. The bare rooted ones were planted in the ground once again and have grown this year at least tweo feet already. Didn't mean to get off on winter sotrage but I felt it was appropriate as we were discussing plants with small roots/young plants. This is pretty important stuff to know concerning their care. ;-) Brad
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kasha77
13 years ago
Hi Kerriann!
Good for you- you little botanist! I love experiments too, isn't that the best way to learn? I also have 2 cuttings of Mon Amour Du Mareiul in perlite and they are slowly rooting. My Santa Rosa cuttings are vigorous growers and have rooted fairly quickly. Just a note of caution in rooting brugs- they rot easily if they aren't allowed to dry out for a little bit between waterings. They love a fast draining medium. Good luck!
kasha77
keriann_lakegeneva
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks Kathy!

It is hard to tell any progress becauase of the cups but I will dry out the medium between waterings.

How wet do you keep your perlite?

Thanks

Keriann~
kasha77
13 years ago
I use a layer of sphagnum moss on top of the perlite. When that dries out and the cup feels lighter, I water til it runs out the bottom hole. I know it's not an exact science, but that's how I tell.
Best wishes!
kasha77
rmbill
13 years ago
I think Kathys " not exact science " is exactly right on. I wait until the pots get to feeling light to water them. With different medias you get different amounts of drying. The weight will always tell you when to water. Check weight with one hand and water with the other hand.
Bill
keriann_lakegeneva
Original Author
13 years ago
Oh my gosh.. I have an AWESOME update. Experiments 1, 3, 5, and 7 all have 1-3" long roots!!! about 6 roots on each of them! This is so much faster and easier then starting them in water! The other ones are not rotting but are not even showing signs or nubbies, I will give them another week and then switch them over to perlite with a bit of moss or 1" of soil in the bottom. I was so excited to see the progress!!!

I have been watering when the perlite does not stick to my fingers and it feels light. I will say that the cuttings did not like to domes, I noticed some mold on one starting to form that I brushed away... even the green cuttings werent happy in the dome which is suprising.

well.. I will update again with progress!
Thank you Bill and Kathy for the tips!

Keriann~
chena
13 years ago
CONGRATS!!! That's Great Keriann!! Have you taken any pic's?

Kylie
keriann_lakegeneva
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks Kylie!

I will try tonight to take some pictures.

So very excited !! : 0

Keriann~
keriann_lakegeneva
Original Author
13 years ago
Okay.. I will try posting some pictures....

all the ones in the red cups are my experiment

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Here is how I kept them all straight

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ROOTS!!! the larger ones are towards the bottom but here are some smaller ones on top.

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and some misc seedling picts
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sorry so big.. I am working on that!

Keriann~
rmbill
13 years ago
Great job Keriann. You have a lot of plants started there. Do you put in a very large garden or are some of them for friends? Nice pictures.
Bill
keriann_lakegeneva
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you Bill. I keep about 1/2 and the others get sent to family and friends. I keep making new garden beds and I think I will steal Kathy's idea and line my driveway with brugmansias this summer.. oh.. now that would be an awesome way to come home everynight!

Keriann~
kasha77
13 years ago
Keriann-
WOW- Great shots! You must love peppers! I'd love to try the Black Pearl ones, (ornamental) I saw a huge bed of them at a botanical garden in VA, just outstanding! Your plants look great and no aphids! I found a lady bug and put him downstairs to help me out with my few aphids. He went right to work! Your experiments are doing wonderful. What a success!
kasha77
keriann_lakegeneva
Original Author
13 years ago
My boyfriend actually loves peppers, I am doing a few ornamentals for me but all in all I am doing 15 different kinds of peppers, 12 different kinds of maters and about 70 other veggies, herbs and flowers!.

It is quite a jungle!

and then direct sowing 30 different kinds of pumpkins, gourds and melons! Oh My.,.. thats a lot lol

Keriann~
chena
13 years ago
LOL.. Looks Awesome!!! You have a Nice set up!! I loves me some Pepper's The Hotter the better.. You are doing a Great Job!! Thanks for the pic's!!

Kylie
keriann_lakegeneva
Original Author
13 years ago
Okay guys... I have a question. How long do you wait to pot them up into soil? I was going to use a soil mix of peat and perlite so it has plenty of drainage.

The root are growing like weeds.. that is a weird saying lol... I dont want them to struggle too much in soil.. what do you suggest... wait till the roots are 3-5 inches long and they transfer into moist soil, and dont water again until the roots show considerable grow or they start to grow leaves?

Thanks!

Keriann~
keriann_lakegeneva
Original Author
13 years ago
So.. I have an update..

the perlite took off the first and is still doing well... but the spag. moss with 1" of vermiculite in the bottom has now taken off, they look they are producing a better root system, more hearty then just perlite.

Interesting! I will try to post pictures tomorrow. I have had too much wine tonight ; )

Keriann~
kasha77
13 years ago
Thanks for the experiment Keriann! I've tried both but have never compared them. Good to know!
kasha77
keriann_lakegeneva
Original Author
13 years ago
Ok.. so I am super excited once again!

I am really turning into a Brugmansia maniac! I got a call to go out on Sunday to watch the BB game but I had to decline because I was too busy repotting my Brugs.. they called me an old lady ! ( I am only 26)

So I decided to check on my experiment project last night. OMG!

The Perlite is doing ok now. The ones with 1" of soil or vermiculite in the bottom as doing much better, It seems the roots that grow into the perlite are weak and sad looking but the ones that have grown into the vermiculite or soil are growing like crazy, and they are fatter in size, the roots that is. Three are already root bound and I potted them up into soil already. I added vermiculite to the perlite only ones so they could start growing some more substantial roots. I bet those will be pot bound in a week as well!

The biggest shook was that I took a few tips that broke off and just shoved them into perlite, well they took off! I planted them up yesterday in soil with added perlite. I also took about 5 more tip cuttings and am trying them in 30% vermiculite and 70% perlite topped with sphagnum moss. I keep the sphagnum moss damp though. It think this helps raise the humidity and keeps the green cuttings happy.

Now I have a 100% rootings success. This is SO much easier than changing water and then praying they make it through the repotting process. All of them look so healthy with dark green leaves and TWO OF THEM HAVE BUDS ALREADY! I would snip them off, but they are both on a NOID pink and I have about 6 cuttings of that going, so if it sad trying to get all the energy into the flower, I am okay with that.. I have backups!

So excited!

Keriann~

PS Yes, I totally flaked on taking pictures. I should have last night when I was repotting them all, the growth is just incredible!
sultry_jasmine_nights (Florida-9a-ish)
13 years ago
WOW, they are all doing really great! You are so organized :) You are gonna turn your place into a jungle in no time.
keriann_lakegeneva
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you! It is so much fun! : )

Keriann~
keriann_lakegeneva
Original Author
13 years ago
So I am still amazed and can not believe how easy rooting can be in a medium.. NOT water! All of my brugs are now 100% root bound and my green tip cuttings have sufficient to hold their own. I also have buds already! This is great! I am so glad I did the experiment or I would still be frustrated with water cuttings.

Here are some pictures of them and my other seedlings that are getting HUGE Yep.. my tomatoes have flowers on them! Yum.. I can taste them now : )

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Keriann~
chena
13 years ago
CONGRATS!!! They are looking Awesome.. YUMMY Buds..

Kylie
marcie_new
12 years ago
WOW!!6 months later how are they doing now? lots of flowers? your tomatoes how did they do I looked at the pictures and your plants seedlings look so healthy and happy. I am in the process of fixing up -repairing a green house it came with 2 built in shelves, so I am thinking of adding another 2 shelves so that I can have more starting seed room. just love your experiment. Marcie

rooting cuttings experiment : ))

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***rooting cuttings experiment*** : ))

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