There be world different in primocanes in 2011 they be straight and tall 2010 they get 2 foot start to been over after 2010 season lower wires not need there after. Surflan and simazine mix good preemmergent after soil setial by rain I use atazine same as simazine surflan high cost just take care small weed seed. you only need V trellis one wire on each side going to have been that back to pick in 2011 floricanes you have longer cane than most people on this forum because long growing season. Two tablespoon 10-10-10 on 2 side plant first every month first one may 1st last one september 1st total 5 applications 1 foot off from plant growth stop about Oct 20 because cool temperatures harding off come very soon after 20th oct. winter kill almost impossible in zone8 so no need exspect that kind damage. When have mountains south your location its different story. But as arkanasa unvercity says all new planting need suppilment iron liquid iron cheat you need quart sprayed in straight stream each side plant this above any soil test later years 3 years down road its go by direction of soil test. Soil applyed nitrogen units for zone 8 is 125 units to max out production because of 34 percent nitrogen I used 68 units twice on grown plants first 68 units at 5 percent bloosom and then 14 day before end harvest. July first for last 68 units. In september and october you can have as much growth as all rest seasons plants double in september october in zone 8. Here is a link that might be useful: sweet berry farms a link you may like

Rooting hormones are a relatively inexpensive way to increase your chances. I can't see why you would want to avoid using them. I went the whole route. Bottom heat, a mist system on a timer, all under lath and shade cloth. Oh yes, and a rooting hormone. I successfully propagated hundreds of shrubs and trees. You should check out the GardenWeb Plant Propagation Forum. http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/propa/ Mike Here is a link that might be useful: Plant propagation.

I once received a small rooted plant from Sweden. Actually it came from Germany, was mailed to Sweden, and hand carried to Kansas City, where I got it. It had been wrapped in loose wet moss in a ziplock, and it rotted off all the leaves; so, I was left with a stem with a healthy tip (an episcia). I took the moss, squeezed out excess moisture, and potted the stem back into it, in a small regular pot, putting the now potted plant back in the ziplock and placed on the window sill. I was at the convention that week, so it had to make do with a hotel room window sill. By the time I was ready to head home to California (five or six days later), it was starting to recover, with leaves so tiny they needed a microscope to see them ;). It survived its plane ride, went under lights, and grew into a plant, which I now grow. So, the "moral" of this story is: I rooted it in long fiber moss (New Zealand type is best but American long fiber sphagnum moss works well too), in a small pot, enclosed in a ziplock bag and in good light. After it grew a healthy shoot I propagated it again into a standard gesneriad mix (peat, perlite and vermiculite). I agree with Nancy, a shot glass just doesn't sound right. You need a small pot with drainage. When I pot an unrooted cutting, I will take some dry moss and thoroughly wet it to total saturation in the sink, then take it in my hand and squeeze out the water. I take that compressed ball of well squeezed moss, fluff it up again and lightly place it with cutting in the pot, not compacting it at all. In the loose moist moss and enclosed in the bag the roots are exposed to lots of air and very high humidity. They then shoot out through the moss capturing all the moisture. Once you have roots going wild, then a light feeding will speed things up. Jon PS: When you say you got a gesneria, do you mean a plant of the genus gesneria or are you using this word in the old fashioned sense, as a general term for a gesneriad? Really, this term should only be used for plants of the genus Gesneria. Plants in that genus need high humidity, constant moisture, and should never be allowed to dry out. They often are best grown in terrariums or in small pots under enclosures like sweater boxes or domes. Many plants in the genus Gesneria can be hard to root.

Very interesting information! I must admit I am brand new to the gardening world- learning as I grow! I purchased the root stimulator last year upon advice from an associate at a local and what I consider a trustworthy, family-owned nursery in town. That being said, I assumed he knew what he was doing and bit the bait! Thanks for the input that it is a waste of resources! I heard the same thing on the hydrangea forum. We purchased our home in Athens a year ago. I discovered multiple beauties growing in my yard once spring of last year hit! Hostas are very happy here under a canopy of beautiful white oaks! I had to relocate several of my friends this year. I learned the hard way that our neighborhood deer eat hostas like candy! So, it sounds like what I am hearing is to leave them alone as long as they are in happy soil and getting plenty of water? What should I fertilize with if anything?