The pictures give you an idea, how the cuttings looks like after being already two months in waterglasses. I need to do this because I do not have enough space for them in the winterhouse with adequate conditions for so many potted cuttings. My collections has appr.100 selected, maybe even more different varieties. Only ten cuttings of each adds up to a large amount. There are five propagation beds or boxes, each is 1m or 3ft long.
Above the propagations beds, there are trays with cuttings in water glasses.
Wow and you have blooms on them too.
How long do you keep them in the water..? The ones I had in the water died when I put them in dirt, wondering what I am doing wrong.
They stay in the glasses until next Spring. Losses after potting them in the spring are rather seldom. I move them into Greenhouse, where I do the propagation and keep the plants for Sale.
Monýka, very nýce ýndeed!!
Holly cow! I thought I had a lot in water. Looks so neat and tidy.
monika, how do you keep an eye on the water?
If cool water is better for rooting, I wonder about those rooting in soil. Maybe bottom heat ins't such a good idea?
Oh my monika, That is a huge amount of cuttings!
Monika, your gh looks so neat and tidy. Doing a great job. I hope that one day mine can be that organized, but I honestly dont know how you do it with all those cuttings..watching them to assure they dont get mushy...I change my water at least every 2 days until I see bumps then I plant them asap or they'll rot.
They arent in the house either, they're out on my back porch when I did that so cool or hot, same thing for me...they would still get mushy then I had to start over by cutting them again.
Do you have to change the water very often? Or does it stay nice due to the cooler temps?
tiG, once a week, all glasses are checked, cleaned if needed and the water will be completely exchanged. On sunny days, I have to check if water is needed.
poppysue, bottom heat should NEVER be over 20°C,especially if you use a rooting hormon.
Potted cuttings root better with bottom heat, good potting soil contains less bactieras. But in water, bacterias spread rapidly as there is more oxygen in the water as in the soil. It is a little bit more complicated as I explained it here but I hope, you understand what I mean.
Well shoot! 20ºC = 68ºF... I guess I shouldn't bother with the bottom heat anymore. Thanks Monika. I'm glad to find that out.
makes alot of sense to me monika :)
Fantastic setup! I thought cuttings needed my florescent light, looks like yours' can be shaded by the other plants?
Gloria,
under the trays you see pairs of florescent lamps. I have 5 pairs of them. The cuttings on the trays are directly under the ceiling and get more daylight. The florescent lamps prolong only the daylight hours. They will be on from 4pm -
8pm.
Wow Monika, So many brugs!!!I've been potting mine up as soon as I see the nubbies. Are your cuttings just in plain water?
Terrific set-up! So well organized!! Very efficient use of space!!!
I'm glad that back2back asked the question about rooting the Brugs in just plain water. Do you add any fertilizer once they have rooted in the water or do you wait until you plant them in the soil before adding it?
I dont add any fertilizer because it forces the algae growth.
That is important to know! Definitely don't want any algae growing with the rooted cuttings!! Thank you!!!
very interesting! Thanks
So it doesnt matter how many (or how long) roots are formed while they are in the water for that extended period of time??
This is a great way to save space over the winter. I'm anxious to try this. Thanks Monika, for all the great information you have given us over the many months we have been family here.
What a great way to add shelves. I'm going to do that, thank you.
They dont grow during the winter, even with the light above them. Since they dont need much fertilizer during the winter, the weekly change of water contains adequate nourishment needed. These cuttings go almost dormant all winter.
*raises hand* Monika being that they are at the top exposed to the heat rising and...doesnt that cause the heat to wilt them by the sun also? evaporating the water more often....
As long as the bottom of the cuttings stand in water, they wont wilt. I use a ladder to check the glasses in the trays.
Wow, thanks for all the great tips, Monika! What a great thread :)
Yes, this is a great thread..now I can only hope that here in Texas, it will eventually cool off a little so we can call it 'winter' ..laff
Kris
Monica, Terrific-there must be a secret-do your water glasses contain a much needed element or do you use any old glass that will hold water? Also, your water must be kind of special-does it come from a well, spring or what? I once tested four sources of water and of the four, only Earth 2 O brand of bottled water really supported root growth on the 4 coleus slips I had placed in each of four identical water glasses.
Carol, I dont use any special glasses. I save glasses from the household. The content might have been mushrooms, cucumbers, vegetables etc. Since they are of different sizes, they are well suited for all sizes of cuttings.
In September, I use well water but from October on it is tap water. The water pump has to be saved from the frost.
Monika, those look so green and leafy. Do they continue to grow in the water thru the winter? I wonder if keeping some larger stems in my dark basement would work? They'd stay cool there but would get almost no light.
Monika, what a great set up you have. And this has been such a helpful thread. Thanks for all your help. Donna
poppysue, they dont grow because of the lack of adeqauate daylight but will stay green until spring.
rutholive, I am glad, that I was able to help you.
Bumping this back up because it is so interesting and before we know it, we all will be taking cuttings. Monika really knows how to conserve space and it is great that cuttings keep for such a long time in water.
You are right Nanny. In appr. six weeks, my brugs are heading into the winterquarter again.
I have the feeling, that they have just left it.
So sad, I hope you have a much longer time. I love to see your pictures.
Wish I could send you some of our heat, Monika, to give you a longer growing season. LOL I could send you some rains too. We had gully washers last night and supposed to have more today. Some of the flood zones had their alarms going off.
