getting replacement cuttings - too late to start?

17 years ago

Last month I won 4 cuttings (no names - just pink, red, white, and yellow) from an e-bay merchant. I was concerned about one of them - quite small and shriveled looking, but I wrote to the seller, and they assured me that if it didn't grow, they would send me replacements. Well, sure enough, that one as well as another one rotted away (the other 2 are doing fine). I'm wondering, as it will be October by the time I get the replacements, will it be too late to plant them? Should I just store the cuttings until the spring, and if so, is there a certain technique to storing cuttings for future planting? I'm in Southern California, but it's been getting quite chilly at night. I have my plants in the cactus/perlite mix, on the concrete, and haven't watered them since planting. Thanks!

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Comments (7)

karyn1
17 years ago
I'm in zone 7 and it's been cool at night for a while. I've recently started some cutting but they're inside on heat mats. They're doing great. I don't know how to store cuttings long term or even if it's a good idea.
Karyn
plumeriastix
17 years ago
Hi Bobbie,

I have been inquiring on another site how to store the cuttings. I was told to put the bottom two inches in dry sand and they would be fine. Some people have said they even had roots by spring! I have not done this and wound up potting all my new cuttings so I can't actually verify this method, just what I have been told by more experienced growers. If you can provide bottom heat and light you might try rooting indoors. If you do decide to store them, make sure the temps where they are at do not fall below freezing and that they will not get frost on them.

Best wishes,
Jerri
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musarojo
17 years ago
I think I know which merchant you purchased from. I have bought from him, and mine looked like the tourist souvenir cuttings greenclaws, Shane, John and Mocropot are rooting now. Mine are rooting ok, but I donÂt think I could have saved them until spring. The lot I bought may have been a clearance item from an airport shop; they didnÂt look as good as the ones I bought from Maui Plum***a Gar***s. Your best bet may be to winter root them with a heating mat and lights.
bobbie42
Original Author
17 years ago
The seller is Suncatchers of Hilo. They've been really good about the replacement offer, but I'm not too sure about the quality. I don't have the option of a heat mat and lights - I have no place to put it that the kids couldn't get to. :-) I may try the dry sand method and just keep them in the garage - I'm really afraid they'd rot again if I planted them now, as it's been quite foggy and damp lately, although no frost. Does anyone know what might happen if I just stored the plain branches in the garage?
boom_to
17 years ago
Hi Bobbie,
I wish I could give you an advice. I live in Ventura county, just North of San Fernando Valley. Where do you live?
Thanks for sharing of dry sand method, I think it is a good idea. I plan to use it with my cuttings that I just recieved.
Boom
musarojo
17 years ago
Bobbi, this is the eBay seller I bought a lot from. GardenWeb used to prohibit naming merchants because it was seen as a form of advertising. This is why I put asterisks in the name of the other company I mentioned. I hope rooting at this late date works out for you if you decide to try it. My last cuttings were started in mid-August and I felt I was pushing it then. They range from only having claws to having a few small leaves.

It is possible to store fresh cuttings over the winter. I have read that cuttings are good for two years. The big question is how long ago were your cuttings made.
karyn1
17 years ago
Bobbie my youngest (23 months) doesn't mess with the heat mats or lights inside. It's my newly rooted cuttings on the deck that I have to keep him away from. He pulls them out of the pots and uses them as toys : (
Karyn

getting replacement cuttings - too late to start?

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karyn1

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getting replacement cuttings - too late to start?

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