Clematis: ROOTING PASSIFLORA'S 2.0, 0 by JLD_II

JLD_II wrote:
Welcome to anyone whom wishes to follow along. Today is day 1 in a new experiment that was originally created by Tropicman and Clare. We've had people asking question's so we're starting a new thread on rooting the hard to root Passiflora.
1st I mix a solution of Maxicrop(1 cap full), Superthrive(1-3 drops) and 1 table spoon of regular hydrogen peroxide per gallon. I then soak my Oasis brand foam cubes prior to sticking cuts into them. I then soak the cuts in that same solution for 15 minutes or so before the final cut, I think the peroxide helps clean out any pathogen's on the cuts and in the cubes aswell as providing more oxygen. Then I cut a 45 degree angle on the bottom end of my cut with a new/clean razor blade. Then I'll either use the razor to slightly "nick" the outter layer of the cut or scrape off the outter layer in a thin stripe on the bottom end of the cut. Only scrape or nick at or below the level of the cut that will be dipped in gell and stuck in the cubes. I use rooting gel rather than powder, that's just a personal prefference too, and dip about 1 inch of the cut into the gel and promptly insert it into the cube. Then put the cubes in your trays or whatever you plan on using, set on a heat mat and cover with a humidity dome. I spray the clones with a spray bottle filled with the same solution I soak the cubes in. I try to mist atleast twice daily and monitor the cubes/vermiculite to make sure the heat mat hasn't dried them out too much. Water that as needed too.

Below are 2 photo's. 1 is an example of how high the humidity is inside the dome, condensation making viewing almost impossible. The heat mat adds to the condensation. I need to find my thermometer to check inside temps, if it's too warm they will begin to rot rather than root imo....Ideal temp is roughly 72 degrees from what I've read. Keeping temps regulated constantly is almost impossible for me so I do the best I can.

This message was edited Apr 9, 2004 3:35 PM