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Plant Propagation

They didn't die! ...now what?

17 years ago

I have been experimenting with cuttings. With the latest batch, after using sand and giving them shade, they're stayed alive for about 2 weeks so far.

I have them in a plastic tent surrounded by bowls of water, covered with a white garbage bag to keep them shaded.

A couple of them turned black from the bottom up, so I removed them. On some, parts of the tops turned black, so I snipped those off. One or two leaves on some of the plants turned yellow. Otherwise they seem healthy.

I'm worried that one more looks like it is turning black from the bottom up, and I don't want this to continue. What do I do now? When do I remove them from the plastic, and do I do it gradually somehow? I don't want to kill them! I'm building an intermittent mist system, should I transfer them to that?

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Comments (5)

calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9
17 years ago
Because you don't mention what the cuttings are I guess they are a mixed bag all in a common flat. The plastic cover is over the flat AND an assortment of bowls full of water to provide humidity. Temperature and light are not mentioned. Two weeks is not long enough to expext rooting, but it should not be long enough for the cuttings to turn black. Rethink your conditions because they are not working. Al
solitary
17 years ago
I have several cuttings under intermittent mist that have rooted in two weeks, we are experiencing some very humid weather, don't know if that rushed the process or not. Sounds like they are rotting, do you think they could be getting too much water? If the garage bag is touching the plants leaves it could cause them to turn black. I tried some trees and the stalk turned dark, I too was worried, but after a couple of weeks they had some roots, I did remove them immediately. I'm not an expert, just throwing some ideas at you! Good luck!
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winspiff
Original Author
17 years ago
Yes, it is a mix of different things.

They are on a side porch, so they have shade from the roof of the porch, but sun can shine in from the sides. It's been hot up here - the temperature has been left up to the weather, but the temperatures have been around 85.

When my last batch were on the deck in sun (even with the shade of the bag) they shriveled right up. So these have lived quite a bit longer in this shade.

So I guess I should take the water out? What about tranferring them?
winspiff
Original Author
17 years ago
I think - but I'm not 100% sure - that the ones that are turning black are the ones that have added new leaves since I put them in. The bottom of the stalks turn black and the heads wilt down.

I'm letting them air out a little today, and I have taken the water out, but again, does anyone know what the next step is? How do I transfer them?
calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9
17 years ago
When you have a mix of cuttings in the same container it is difficult to remove the tent without ruining those cuttings not yet rooted. Many people try transplanting before there is enough roots to sustain growth so be patient and be sure they are ready to be torn out of the starting mix and potted in a new container. Because of the other cuttings in the same container this is what will be necessary. Al

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