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What can cause tree cuttings to do this?

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

What can cause your cutting leaves to do this?

They look kind of droopy. This is a softwood cutting of a sugar maple. I took it just two days ago and dipped it in some hoormex rooting powder and stuck it in that cup with coco coir. I squarted the inside of the bag with water to keep humidity high. I had it sitting outside in bright light and it built up a lot of condencation in the bag. Could it be to much humidity? Please let me know. Thanks

i didn’t mention its actually cloudy and in the low sixties where I live and I had this in bright light outside.

Featured Answer

NHBabs z4b-5a NH

5 years ago

I am another vote for the thought that it got too hot. They need to be in bright shade but no sun since the bag will heat up just like your closed car on a sunny day.

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Comments (9)

User
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
The 'Plant Propagators Bible' by Miranda Smith has a checklist for softwood cuttings. I took a picture of it for you to see. I'm sure your medium is fine, everyone has their favorite. :-)

They also mention that most propagators use a heat mat to get the medium to proper temperature.
Embothrium
5 years ago
I had it sitting outside in bright light and it built up a lot of condencation in the bag

You probably cooked it.
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I was thinking about this thread as I was doing some reading in various places about humus. Even wikipedia puts it this way about stable humus: " this is organic matter that has been protected from decomposition by microbial or enzyme action because it is hidden (occluded) inside small aggregates of soil particles or tightly attached (sorbed or complexed) to clays. Most humus that is not protected in this way is decomposed within ten years and can be regarded as less stable or more labile." It also refers specifically to lignin being one of the main precursors to humus, and that black carbon (e.g. biochar) also seems to contribute a lot to stability. Interesting the way that OM gets attached to clays. I don't know if this is actionable information or what it tells us exactly about what to do in this case; but I'd be tempted to place an emphasis on woody/pulpy inputs (or composts from them) in adding organic material, or at least plant material (stems? corn cobs/stalks? etc) or paper/cardboards that have fair amounts of lignin and get some charcoal/biochar in there too. Just speculating somewhat, but hopefully logically. This will have implications for nitrogen and other nutrient availability - i.e. it might make growing some types of plants or getting good yields harder, at least in short term - but might have benefits in getting there to more stable soil in long term. FWIW.
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User
5 years ago
Agree. That sort of wilting suggests either too high heat, too low humidity (probably not since it was in a sealed bag), or that the cutting was taken too early (i.e. the growth is so soft that it's likely to wilt no matter what you do).
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
5 years ago
What can cause your cutting leaves to do this?

==>>> the base answer is.. lack of water to the leaves ...

next.. because you cut it off the tree ... off its water source ...

finally .. as noted above ... timing probably ....

i note in toms pic.. timing is early to mid summer ... i dont think now is within that definition ... ergo.. timing ...

you said bright light.. by that.. i hope you meant full bright SHADE ... nothing encased on plastic.. should be outside in sun ... its different.. indoors thru a window .. but even then ... because of the plastic.. i might not have it in full sun ...

ken
User
5 years ago
" i note in toms pic "

no no! Remember me? Bill? lol!
tete_a_tete
5 years ago
What NHBabs said.
Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Some trees cannot be rooted from cuttings very easily. Maples may be one of those difficult ones without a professional misting system and greenhouse. One trick when propagating large-leaved plants is to cut the leaves with a scissors maybe halfway back so they don't transpire so much moisture.
Embothrium
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
You should really read up on successful methods for each specific kind of plant you want to try before putting much more time into this. Quite a few kinds of woody plants in particular are not that great of a subject for home hobby situations. Unless in a particular instance a hobby is as serious as a commercial production operation, in that similar setups have been built. Involving things like mist benches, heat cables and strong rooting hormones etc.

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