I recently trimmed a dumb cane and was able to root the cutting. However, the end left on the mother plant got soft on me. I can re-cut, but want to know if anybody applies anything on a cut to discourage rotting?
I did a half-hearted google and found that somebody rubbed 91% isoprophyl alcohol on the cut to promote drying. Anybody done that? I wasn't sold on this, lol.
thanks
Propagation tips
What's a "dumb cane"? Apart from the obvious ;O)
Aha! A Dieffenbachia. Now I know. I actually have a couple of them, one small and one not quite so small.
An easy plant to propagate from cuttings.
I had a couple in an out of the way place --partial shade, lightly irrigated-- and I've cut them both back every few months, pushed the cuttings into a light soil mix, again irrigated. In a couple months, the cuttings have rooted solidly, and the plants have another top available to "clone". I transplant the rooted cuttings into the ground, and get ready for the next round. I've never had it fail.
You see these plants in the rainforest, along stream beds, fallen over in a wet spot, with multiple upshoots along the length where roots have descended into the mud or gravel or sand...whatever.
I'd cut off any rotten spots and try again --rooting hormone will speed up rooting, minimize rotting.
Just don't let kids or pets chew on them --called "dumb" cane NOT because they grow in Australia (kidding) but because the poison in them can literally render you speechless, apparently by paralyzing your vocal chords on the way down.
I've heard here that cats are attracted to them, with disasterous results. Mine are from cuttings.
My view is not *enough* cats are attracted to them, but I'm just rude that way.
Recut below the rot at a slight angle, so water doesn't collect on the wound. Try to keep it dry, exposed to some sun initially and it should scar over neatly and sprout leaves from the edge or right below on the side.
thanks jplunket, ordinarily I would have put it outside, exposed to the sun and that would have scarred it. However, we were having rainy days and I was wanting a Plan B that would work in extra humid conditions. LariAnn offered the following:
First, make sure your knife or other cutting instrument is sterilized (clean with rubbing alcohol, then let dry). Then use it to cut off the rot part down to firm healthy tissue. Splash hydrogen peroxide on the fresh cut, wait a couple minutes, then dab with a paper towel or cloth to get most of the moisture off (you want a little moisture left on). Then go to your spice cabinet, find the cinnamon powder, and sneak it out to your plant. Sprinkle the cinnamon dust on the wound and pat it in with a finger so all areas of the cut surface are thoroughly covered.
Great to have such good advice --thanks, LariAnn.
I used that cinnamon treatment on a Bowenia spectabilis with great success. I highly recommend it.
LOL, and I bet your garden smells delicious.