cuttings in pots.....

After reading alot, I decided to pot the cuttings.

I could place them on my heating mat if there was any real advantage.

My delima is this: the cuttings are out on the garage, we could have frost cool weather especially within the next 2 weeks or more. When the cuttings root, they will start to put out new leaves but I would assume that new rooted cuttings could not be allowed to go dormant and overwinter. I dont have any good space for them inside. I might be able to put them in my frost closet and use the bulb that I planned to use for heat but hang it over these cuttings. But my closet was really designed to be dark and cool to overwinter dormant pots.
Any advice ?
charlotte

if you keep your bedroom warm, I woul find a spot where they will get light

I would think they need some light and warmth to root. How about window sills? Did you make holes in those pots? I would make holes . Brugs send down long tap roots. I woudl be afraid they would rot if you let water accumalate in the bottom. Cuttings rot easily.

Charlotte, I must warn you. You're entering the DANGER ZONE. Pretty soon you will be throwing out the furniture so that you can put in a plant shelf unit with lights. This was last year when I was setting up shelf unit #2. Once you get into seed starting, this is what you'll be doing. (do I need to tell you that there are those who find my activities amusing?)

Linda: Is that ever so true? At least you found a place to set up shelves... You can see from the pictures below that I have them in a couple of quite unexpected places. They don't do a thing for my decor...but who cares? Right???

I start the seeds in rockwool in the kitchen, and have moved a few cuttings here, that are too tall to fit under the massive coffee table in my study/den. After they have sprouted and are transplanted into 4" pots, they go under the table...Note that I said "my"? Luckily unless we have kids here, the dogs and I are the only ones that use that room LOL!

Charlotte: I would try to find ANYPLACE to put them inside and with light...

Gretchen...you just gave me a good idea. I have a glass toped coffee table in the living room in front of a large window...I could put them under the table and they would get light from the window...and the table top could be kept free.
Another question...are you keeping all your seedlings and newly rooted cuttings in the house or in your little GH ? Asking for myself!
Thanks, Margie

Margie, I just put the new cover on yesterday -- I'm so sore I can hardly move today! I haven't yet decided how many shelving units will go back in (they're stacked in the back yard), because I have so many more large plants this year. For now, all the babies are in the house, but only because its still too hot in the GH. Once the weather cools off, the brugs and other tropicals are moved into the GH, since I have to heat it anyway by then, I'll move all the babies out there as well. I do like to START all my special seeds inside as there's a more constant temp, and less chance for loss. Also, I will use supplemental light in the GH until the days start to get longer again (around mid-February)

Wow, you guys have it bad. Is that what I should expect? I cant afford any more obsessions !!!
Kell: as I saw in an idea that I believe was given by PoppySue, I have the cuttings in clear cups right now with the idea to move them to slightly larger "somethings" if they root.

Based on what everyone is saying, I can put my well rooted potted plants in my frost closet to allow them to go dormant with very little light and water.

BUT the new cuttings wont have enough root system to survive that or if not rooted may not root at all in those conditions ? Right ?

I might be able to put them on a shelf upstairs but I have a pussy cat and we are getting a new papillon son in November. I love my plants but nothing comes before the safety of my fur babies.

I'll have to work on a shelf idea.
thanks charlotte

You need to root your cuttings and keep them going. They are too little to go dormant.

What is a papillon son? A dog or a butterfly? LOL

I have 4 cats and they ignore the ever growing population of brugs all over, inside and out.

Charlotte...have you seen the shelves made from the PVC pipes. I know Gretchen made one, I think she did anyway and others also. The directions were on line. I know someone can post them for you. If I find them I will later on.
Good luck.
BTW...what is a papillon? I have a daylily with that name & am wondering!
Margie

PVC plastic sounds good but kinda like a kitty cat gym ! !

Papillon: small dog with butterfly ears, mostly white with patches of color:
an example but not my dog to be:

He will be our "son" because we dont have human children !

This message was edited Sep 30, 2004 5:33 PM

There ya go Kell, another doggie........
research that one!!!!

What a cute little puppy. I wouldn't mind having one of those. LOL! Cuttings don't take up a lot of room right now, but by spring, you may need a little more room for them.

Yes, I wondered about that. If they root they will grow some over the winter !

hopefully!

Thank you for all the great pictures! I t is true what they say "a picture is worth a thousand words" ......I have more confidence in cutting on my first brugs......gotta buy a really good knife tho.

I just noticed that you guys need reflectors on your lights besides the ones in the fixtures. Try some survivors blankets. Walmart sells them for $1.88. Drape them over the fixture and down the sides. They are a big 4 x 7 feet. I just unfold only as much as I need. Then if you can put a very small fan in one end to keep the air moving.

Jeanette

Jeanette, what would they provide more light? Are they silver?

Yes, they are silver to reflect and they are almost like a Mylar. Strange, but they do work.

You know where I got that from? The propogation forum back in March.

Jeanette

btw, Kell, I printed out the entire thread where you told how you rooted your brugs. It was so interesting. And copied all of the pictures. Thanks. J.

Jeanette -- I would be afraid that you would cook your seedlings. The lights in my set-up are so close to the plants that it wouldn't provide any additional benefit from a lumen standpoint. I used this identical set-up last year and raised a bunch of very healthy seedlings.... But, thanks for the info :)

I wonder if they would be good to throw over the brugs outside if you fear a frost. The price sure is great. How big are they?

They are not going to add heat, may hold it in if your lights are giving off heat. Mine were 2- 4 ft. regular florescents. They reflect so the outer plants get light also. I had 2 trays of 4 inch pots of petunias under 2 bulbs so the outside plants didn't get enough light until I put those over them. Yes, I suppose I could hve rotated.

Kell, I believe they are 4' by 7'. I never thought of that but they are survivor blankets. I am not sure exactly what they are called but they are recommended to put in emergency kits for driving in the winter I believe

That would be an interesting experiment.

Jeanette. .