Lamora,
If I'm looking at the same two cuttings that you're referring to, they look like they're rotting. Do those makeshift containers (cute idea!) drain? How often does the soil dry out? How often do you water?

I can't say for the other cuttings though. I want to say they look fine, but I don't feel that I can 100% tell you one way or another. I want to say pull back the soil a little bit and see if you notice any decay or see if they have produced any roots, but I don't want you to take the chance of breaking any delicate roots that have possibly formed.

It's possible the containers are a little too big, you might be able to combine some of the cuttings into one pot which might help cut down possible overwatering. Hope this helps.

Planto

Planto-- yes they do drain, they are the smallest containers I can think of. Soil dries out about every 3 days or so, I water when completely dry, mist the top soil about every other day.

And they do have roots, found that out when one was knocked over a few days ago. (stupid cat)It wasn't knocked real bad, but enough to lose some soil. I recovered it as soon as it happened, put it back as much as i could. But these have looked like this for a while now.
To me, the only one that looks good is the ONE plant in the center-- it is nice and green.

So I will get rid of the blackened ones tomorrow. Maybe see if I can combine a few more in one, how close can they be? touching each other? would that be over crowding them?

thanks :)
Marjie

Marjie,
Good on the drainage, that will keep the cuttings from staying too moist. I'm not sure that you have to mist them though (I never misted my TC cuttings), that could be the cause of the rot.

I believe as far as your watering goes, watering when completely dry is a good schedule. Since they are cuttings and still producing roots, you don't want to keep them as moist as say "Mama," she has a root mass that can support the increase in soil moisture.

I believe you can put them within 1/3 inch apart, maybe 1/2 inch if you feel that is too close (my "Mama" TC's original "stems," for a lack of a better word are about that close, as were my cuttings).

What size bottle bottom are they in (I am guessing 20 oz soda bottles)? My Mother purchased some very small (2 1/2 inch) plastic pots locally but I'm at a loss where... Sorry, I guess that isn't of much help.

I think the biggest thing is to discontinue misting them. Also, with combining them, I believe it would create less "open soil" (if that makes sense). If they are already developing roots, I believe you will be ok (you will be better able to tell if you see them under the soil individually as your cat sort of did for you already hehe). If you plan to repot them together, you could check them out.

They will wrinkle, that's normal. They will wrinkle until they produce enough roots to soak up water. To be honest, I'm not sure how fast TC cuttings grow new leaves, I planted mine I think in January this year (not the best timing) and they have yet to produce new leaves. Don't be discouraged by mine though, they are with "Mama" and she isn't getting the best lighting. "Mama" has only produced a couple new leaves since January. I hope this helps.

Planto

Sorry, meant to add a note with the watering. On the other hand, you also don't want to let them get bone desert dry before you re-water. Just being wordy really, but in the end I just mean that I believe your schedule of watering is fine as you are watering when dry.

Planto

lol-- bottle size is what ever pop is on sale.. most are 20oz.tho. 16oz Water bottles are good too, not very strong, but useable.

I got a good look at the ones in another pot,, no roots at all! The ones in the center "pot" seems to be the only ones that look good. My DH (and i do mean Dear-- ;)) was looking at the third pot real good. He thinks I should give them a chance, just keep doing what I am doing since they seem to be strong. Not sure about any roots on those ones.

I was surfing a bit on this and found that "some" ppl put the cuttings in water to root, very carefully so the whole leaf isn't in the water. Have you heard about doing that for these? My DH thinks that may be an idea for some of these since they have no roots yet. I don't know, I heard somewhere it would kill them. It is just something I seen is all. If I did the water rooting and it didn't work out, I still have a few with roots, very few, but it is better than none. I would like to keep all of them tho. I just dont know what I am doing with them right now-- this is very new to me.

Marjie :/

Marjie,
Well, I wouldn't be so quick to worry. If I'm reading your label on one of the pots correctly, it's only been about a month since you potted them? I think it took mine about two months before I noticed any progress. I figure, unless something's dead, it's always worth a try (sounds like your Hubbie's point of view too).

I'm not familiar with rooting them in water, although I've read a recent post by Karen (Pirate_girl) in which she was successful in rooting CC in water. I'm posting the link so you can read it and decide what you'd like to do (she is definitely more experienced than myself). You could try both ways I suppose, see what results you get?

In the end, I just think you can keep doing what you have been. Just see if you can't find a little smaller of a pot, at the very least I'd try placing them together, and don't forget, no misting. ;) Other than that I think you're doing fine, it just takes time. Although if I am wrong on this, I know someone will give you with better advice. I am just speaking from my own experiences that have produced successful cuttings (although no new leaves, lack of light but they are still much alive!). I hope this helps.

Planto

Here is a link that might be useful: Growing CC in water GW Post

Hi Lamora,

I believe you're keeping them too wet & that's causing them to rot, not that I can see that, more from the descriptions. I have no experience w/ anyone using artificial lights for these, do you mean grow lights? Or ordinary overheads?

I would not unpot these now or repot them again; I don't believe you really have enough left to work w/ to do that.

I'd remove any segments which are black or soft & mushy immediately, that's rot, will not recover & might spread.

I would simply leave these alone, water less often & give them more time & yes, pls. stop misting.

I think the less you do the better. I know you want to do right, but pls. know that in nature, these fall in sections to the forest floor or onto other tree branches. They'll take root any old way, no one to right them. They might or might not get rained on every couple of days.

I do think Planto's got it, they need more time.

Thansk for the link, I think I will put a couple in water and see what happens. Experiment some, maybe it will work, right now the ones I am thinking of dont have roots anyway.

Pirate- thanks, I didnt realize it would take so long to get roots on them, makes me feel better. Yes- still a newbie at growing from starters.

Will leave the others alone, wait a bit longer for them to develope. No misting... got it.

Thanks again

Marjie,
You're welcome, glad I could be of some help. :)

Karen,
Thanks for chiming in, I know you have more experience with this than myself.

Planto

Planto-- HAHA! this is soooo new to me that I think I am WAY over my head! but thanks for the compliment anyway.

I have NEVER started a plant as a starter before a year ago. (Started with Spiders and Pothos, and some of them were tough for me) I have always gone out and got big healthy plants, then brought them home, just to have them die on me. It took me a very long 20 years before I even THOUGHT about getting a plant of any kind.

Then about a year ago I seen this Spider Plant, and it was Curly! I fell in love with it. The only curly one there. I brought it home, and guess what?? it almost died.

But my daughter found this site, and everyone taught me how to take care of it. (I was doing EVERYTHING WRONG!)It is doing real good now!

That started me on other plants. I take them home, show it here, and these good ppl tell me how to take care of it- lol. Not really, I have learned a lot before getting a plant anymore. And I know that if something comes up that I don't understand, I can just come here and somebody will give it to me straight. And I am hoping that even if it is just a little info, that it sticks in my brain! haha.

Experience? NOT! but I am working on it ;)
Marjie

Marjie,
I'm glad your daughter was able to find this site. I've learned alot from this site myself. In some ways as I'm sure you've found out, this site can also serve as an excuse to get as new plant (at least for me, I see something on here and I just have to find it in town!).

:)

Planto

lol-- fur sure!

I am in the process of trying to find one of those "mule tail"? plants, (not sure of the "real" name right now) but ever since I seen someone's on here, I have been wanting it so bad! Can't find it anywhere around, we have no "nurseries" here, just places like Walmart, Home Depot and what not, and not very many of them. I am hoping that next month I will be able to order it online, something else I have never done.

But yeah-- this is a great place to fill your "wish" list. ;)

Boy did I goof! I took someone elses compliment/credit!! How rude of me!

Karen-- I am Sooo SORRY!! I totally misread! Can you EVER FORGIVE ME?

Marjie-- feeling bad now :(

Marjie,
It's ok, don't feel bad. :) I believe what you are referring to is known as Sedum morganianum, also known as Donkey's tail or Burrow's tail. I've seen them at local Lowes, do you have a Lowes there? I've never seen them at our Home Depot or local nursery. Could order them from a supplier that I see sells cacti and succulents at Lowes. I believe the supplier's name is the Cactus Shop (www.cactusshop.com). Below is the link I found to Donkey's tail (it took me some navigation from the cactus shop's homepage to find it). I think there is a minimum order, but even if this isn't the place you want to order from, it's a place to start. :)

Planto

Here is a link that might be useful: Donkey's Tail (The Cactus Shop)

Planto-- thanks. for the "It's ok, don't feel bad. :)" thing.. and the site.

We do have a Lowes here, but I havent seen anything like this there. But I will keep looking. I dont know WHY I want/need it so badly, I just do. lol. I just think they are so cool looking. :)

thanks again
Marjie

Lamora,

While it's lovely to look at & easy to grow, pls. be advised it's hard to handle, 'cause it sheds leaves every time one touches it. Makes repotting it trouble too, sheds large portion of the plant.

Marjie,
You're welcome. I didn't think you had any reason to be beating yourself up. :)

Planto