I had to cut a lot of the seedlings down before the roots formed where I had air-layered them (should have done it sooner). I cut the stems just below the moss bags. Some of them look like they've handled it well but others are very droopy - especially at the top where the wood is really green. I've stripped all the leaves but the top part of the stems are sorta rubbery. I want to root the entire stem and not cut them up smaller. I hate to loose the tops because they've Yed. Will the droopy ones root without cutting off the top? Would it be better to cut a portion of the bottom off and try to root them as a smaller plant? I haven't taken the moss off them but I'm pretty sure they all have lenticels under it. I'm just afraid to loose the Ys and I'll have to wait forever for blooms.
Rooting BIG cuttings?
You have to stick the top into a big clear plastic bag, spray water in it and close it on the bottom. It looks like a hood. If the tops are already very soft, it needs about 24hrs, to pick up enough water. This way, you can root large stems with still green tops.
PJ!! did you hear this??? not too late unless you cut those already.
Okay. Thanks Monika. I'll have to give this a try.
Besides air layering, I practice this type of rooting very suscessfull. At the moment, #9 of EP x RK is rooting, looks a little bit funny with the hood but is effective.
I'm so glad to hear this. I have wanted to save some of mine that have grown to be like standards without having to dig them up, but I didn't start air layering soon enough and now it is too late. Thanks monika!
Got my hoods on -lol. I have the pots all up on the dining room table so they won't get bumped and knocked over. They do look pretty silly.
Monika, would using a clear glass jar over the cutting do the same job? I remember my grandmother starting rose slips by using quart jars over them till they rooted.
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Owen, it would take a big jar, lol. Some of the cuttings Poppysue did are huge.
Hey y'all I knew this, and I do that to my big ones, just never thought about passing it along!! Monika, you are a dear!!
Yes - these are about 4 feet or so. I used a trash bag to cover them.
Ok Another question---What does the soil temp have to be if your doing the log method?. Is the log or water method the best this time of year?
And thank you poppysue for asking most of my questions for me.
I can't ever get the water method to work. During the summer I haven't used the heat mat, but was thinking today since the night temps are getting into the 50's(*F) that I should. I set the heat mat to 72*F.
poppy, you put the cuttings in soil, right?? where did you find clear trash bags?
A glass yar is too heavy, Owen. Its a very good method on roses or other plants, that are grown in the garden.
Bottom heat at this time of the year would be very helpful. It fastens the rooting and therefore minimies the evaporation of water through the stem or trunk.
This message was edited Thursday, Oct 10th 3:20 AM
I'm gonna get out those heat mats. I have to replace one after the boo-boo I had with it last spring.(don't plug in while still rolled up, big fire!!)
One thing that's so wonderful abou asking questions here... they're answered so quickly!! This has seemed to help. They already look better this morning.
tiG we get the clear trash bags by the case. Hubbie's buddy gets them for us at the place he works. I'm not sure where you could buy them. If you can't find any let me know & I'll send you a roll.
poppy, did you put yours in soil or perlite? what did you stick your cuttings in ?
I put them in promix. Actually I mixed the pro-mix with a cheap, heavier potting soil. That stuff that sells for $1.50 for a 40 pound bag. I used small pots too. I guess they're quart size? I figured the soil would dry out better in a smaller pot. I made sure each pot had a hole in the middle & I placed the end of the cutting so it would sit over the hole. I remember Eric saying that's where rot will set in - on the cut ends.