This is what I tried to explain last night.
This Brugs are ready for potting.
GL
Rooting
Ludger, I'd say that it is! Nice rooting there!
Annie
Ludger . . do you start all of your cuttings in water?
WOW! I would say that one is ready! Good job, green thumb!
No, some I do in Seramis ( hope you know it, like hydroculturestones but very smaller).
I think the most important is a warm foot for Brugcuttings,like Hibiscus and Musa......
Since I use " footheating " for my cuttings I root most of them.In water, soil, seramis. Water is the best in warm rooms or put it on the heating. You see when you have to pot.
GL
Is Seramis white? I wonder if it is like perlite? Or vermiculite?
How long does it take to root your Hibiscus in water and what size cuttings do you root? I agree that the warmth is important on the bottom.
this is what i can find on Seramis ... http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://www.merits.fr/&prev=/search%3Fq%3DSeramis%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26sa%3DG
Nice roots. I also root lots of mine in water at least until they get the white nubbies and then I pot them up.
Thanks MVR. I have a Shultz product called Multi-Purpose Soil Conditioner. It is made from 100% natural minerals that are kiln fired to create ceramis granules. It holds water and oxygen for improved soil sturcture. Says it can be used for seedlings and cuttings by itself or mixed with one part Peat Moss. I'm wondering if this might be just about the same thing.
This message was edited Saturday, Nov 9th 11:47 PM
Brugie, this ceramis, is it the same as the lava rock? i wonder?
Does lava rock hold moisture? I'm not familiar with it.
once it get moistened, it does. one thing i've noticed, where i used lava rocks on the plants, they are growing vigorously.
most soil in the Phil. are volcanic soil, which is why lots of tropical plants trive nicely.
i guess i need to do more search to learn more about this stuff... both lava rock and ceramis. thx.
Shirley, lava rocks have sharp edges, like a knife. When moving the pots, it cuts and damages the roots. Bims (pumice stone) is a much better rooting medium.
Monika, i like using pumice stones too, it does not float like perlite does. the only problem with pumice stones is it's hard to find a supplier.
when i used to lived in Los Angeles, collecting rare cactus and succulents, i used to buy them in big bulks.
Thanks Monika and MaVie. I'm going to try the stuff I have for rooting and see what happens. We are limited around here on what we can buy. I'll probably end up doing things the way I always have for lack of new mediums to use.
So what Ludger says is what we call hydroponics, isn't it?
"eyes"
I root all of mine in warmish water until they get the white nubbies like the cutting on the left in picture....then put them in potting soil just before the white nubbies start putting out roots. If I wait till I see actual roots, I sometimes damage them in the process of potting. Keeping the water warmish really speeds up the formation of the white nubbies.
u're very welcome Brugie. maybe u could ask ur local nursery store to order some pumice rock for u. they are slightly bigger in size compared to perlite. the great advantage to pumice is... it does not move around or float. it provides good aeration for plants. pumice is derived from volcanic rock if not mistaken.
here's a url to learn more about pumice rock ... http://mrpumice.com/PumiceDescription.htm