Tropicals & Tender Perennials: I'm A Bag Lady ......, 1 by judycooksey

judycooksey wrote:
I keep Wandering Jew cuttings in a blown up plastic zip loc all winter, they form roots, then in the Spring I toss them into the flower beds and lightly cover with potting soil. They make an interesting ground cover.

I trim my philodendron, chop the cuttings into 4 inch pieces, tie several together in a bundle, put them in a 2 gallon zip loc bag with soil in the bottom. I use plastic containers to stabilize the bottom of the bag or I put all the bags in a short box so they can be picked up without disturbing the rooting process. I have also just tossed the trimmings in the bag.

I bag up my ferns to winter over inside in a bright light but not direct sunlight location.

I am in the process of bagging up cuttings of other plants to keep them from drying out from the house heat.

It is necessary to check the bags once a week to insure they are still inflated:

1) On the zip loc bags, every two weeks or so I re-inflate the bags to give them a fresh dose of exhaled air which contains their much needed carbon dioxide.

2) On the tied clear trash bags containing my ferns, I just open the bags every month or so to allow air circulation, then retie.

Why the bags, retains the moisture therefore less watering required by me, keeps the leaves from drying out from the house heat, I don’t have to cut back the plants by a 3rd when I bring them in and makes a neat package, all dying leaves remain within the bag instead of all over my house.

I keep a close watch on them and if there is excess moisture I either poured it out or left the bag open for awhile. If in indirect light the condensation is less.

I was bagging up my ferns when I got the idea to try rooting a Brug cutting in a zip loc.

Judy

PS The little electric cart is wonderful




This message was edited Nov 8, 2006 3:55 PM