skip to main content

How do you guys keep cuttings from growing mold/fungus?

Laura LaRosa (7b)

7 years ago

I am trying to root some cuttings and some have turned "fuzzy" with stuff growing on them. I have them in zipped up bags that hold lots of humidity. Should I rinse them off? How can I prevent this from happening in the future? Some have it worse than others. The ones that are greener seem to have less. Any help would be appreciated!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

Jontte Kinnu
7 years ago
Make sure theres holes in the cornes/top of the bag to let air circulate. I do blow from a small distance against the holes a couple of times a day, or just lift the bag off for a second.

And make sure the leaves doesnt touch the bag.

One option would be to take three/four sticks and make a teepee/volcano shaped structure with a opening at the end :D
Vladimir (Zone 5b Massachusetts)
7 years ago
I am not sure of how you have them set up. Are they in pots with plastic sandwich bags fitted over the pots or are they in damp paper towels in sandwich bags? In either case, I would rinse off the mold. You might also treat with a fungicide.

I have used the former method (in pots) unsuccessfully with 4 cuttings. I have successfully rooted 2 cuttings in water.
Related Discussions
How do you grow a rose from a cutting?
Q
Comments (3)
Note that if the rose you wish to root is 'Laguna' the Kordes climber, it was int. 1995, and is still in patent -- so should not be propagated. If your Laguna is one of the older editions, and is out of patent, there are a TON of ways to start roses from cuttings. All are good. Some work better with some roses, not as well with others. My friend Barbara Oliva said: "If you've tried to propagate a rose, and you've failed, you may be using the wrong method, or at the wrong time, for that rose." Under "ARTICLES" on the website of the Gold Coast Heritage Roses Group (see below) you'll find information on methods. You should also GOOGLE "Starting Roses From Cuttings" or "Rooting Rose Cuttings" -- which will give you a plethora of methods. Jeri Here is a link that might be useful: Gold Coast Heritage Roses Group
...See More
Mold or fungus growing in gritty mix?!
Q
Comments (5)
Well, for what it's worth, my bark fines came from someone else who isn't having this issue, and I have other plants from the same batch of gritty mix that are doing fine. They've been in it since December, maybe? And until the last month or so, they've been inside. I had a crested graptoveria I posted about here that had stem rot. After cutting it down to save it, I found this junk growing down in the roots. I've since cut down two other plants after finding this stuff (though they were leggy and I planned to behead them anyway.) I now found it in this haworthia and a couple others. The only plants I've found it in came from the same place.
...See More
grodan cube grows mold/fungus before seedling emerges/ seed fail
Q
Comments (2)
Peppers like it very warm to germinate - about 95F. I get germination in about a week in vermiculite, at least with the varieties I grow. Seeds don't need any sort of ferts to germinate. If you give them anything with nutrient value, it will just sit in the cube and some other organism will digest it, like mold or algae. I use the endo/ecto mix from fungi.com - it's mycorrhizae designed for seed starting. It's cheap and one packet lasts a long time. A lot of my hybrid pepper seeds are expensive, and I don't want to lose any. That won't help your mold and algae, but if you keep losing seeds to pythium and other bad bacteria, I think it helps.
...See More
How to keep fungus from forming?
Q
Comments (1)
There's often no way of knowing what one has done 'wrong'. While it might be little late if fungii are actively growing, a drop or two of hydrogen peroxide does inhibit its growth. On established cuttings, that is, those already rooted, too high humidity can cause mildew to take them out. Opening the bag, as you have done, is the solution (though mine are grown in pots with plastic bottles and caps which I can remove). Steve.
...See More
Laura LaRosa (7b)
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks guys. I had them in closed zip-lock bags that I blew air into. I also have them on a heat mat for seeds. There is lots of humidity in there. The mix is a combination of peat moss and perlite. I just took them out of the bags, rinsed them off and watered them. A few are obviously dead and I pulled them out. A few look green though so there is hope. I took the bag off them for a while to let the stems dry a bit. I may cover them loosely again so they do not dry out too much. I'be never successfully rooted a citrus cutting. I have rooted other cuttings in water though like Vladimir. It really would be nice to get this down since I am trimming down some trees a bit...
poncirusguy6b452xx
7 years ago
I have found success in rooting cutting by working with Hardy Chicago cuttings only. All other cuttings rot and die within 3 months with no root formation.
sunshine (zone 6a, Ontario,Canada)
7 years ago
Laura, I had the same problems with citrus cuttings last year, no matter how hard I tried to keep them alive, out of 5 cuttings I only got one lemon going, which I gifted to my friend. It was such a waste of good budwood. Had I grafted them to some rootstock, I would have had more trees. With fig cuttings it is easy. All of my 6 rooted Hardy Chicago, Lattarulla, Desert King fig cuttings which I rooted in March are growing fine. I have one citrus cutting in soil now, it is sitting there for almost three months, covered with transparent cup and doing nothing, still green and not growing either. I will have to check the roots on it again soon.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES What Kind of Roses Should You Grow?

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Want to add the beauty of roses to your garden? Find out which ones, from old-fashioned to modern, are right for you

MOST POPULAR How to Get Rid of Household Mold

Find out how to work with a pro to stop mold from damaging your house and health — and how to prevent it from forming

DISASTER PREP & RECOVERY How to Combat Mold in a Flooded House

Before you rebuild or restore your water-damaged home, take these steps to keep mold at bay

EDIBLE GARDENS Summer Crop: How to Grow Blueberries

By Marianne Lipanovich

Plant blueberries in spring or fall for garden beauty through three seasons — and a sweet superfood in summer

FRUIT TREES How to Grow Your Own Persimmons

By Marianne Lipanovich

Sturdy and easy to care for, these trees offer bright fruit through winter — and keeping them in bounds is no sweat

HOUSEPLANTS 10 Top Plants to Grow Indoors

Brighten a room and clean the air with a houseplant that cascades artfully, stretches toward the ceiling or looks great on a wall

TRADITIONAL HOMES Houzz Tour: Historic Victorian Grows to Fit Its Family

By Jennifer Blaise Kramer

Instead of leaving their downtown Santa Barbara home for the suburbs, a couple decided to stay put and add space

GARDENING GUIDES Planting Guide: How to Grow Dahlias

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

Plant these quick-growing bloomers in spring for a dazzling flower display from midsummer to fall

FRUIT TREES How to Grow Your Own Juicy Plums

By Marianne Lipanovich

Easier than other stone fruits and with a variety of colors to choose from, plums are a versatile garden addition

GARDENING GUIDES How to Keep Your Citrus Trees Well Fed and Healthy

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Ripe for some citrus fertilizer know-how? This mini guide will help your lemon, orange and grapefruit trees flourish

Sponsored

CHC & Family Developments

4 Reviews

Industry Leading General Contractors in Franklin County, Ohio

More Discussions

Howardmartin growing citrus

2

Howard Martin growing citrus #33

1

In ground outside Meiwa kumquat on flying dragon

2

indoor lemon tree

6

HowardMartingrowing citrus #33

27