When you propagate AVs from leaf, how long is it taking for your first little ears (leaves) to come up?
My leaves usually get pushed to a low light location because growing space is prime real estate and they just aren't a priority. However, recently I put down a couple of leaves together with some Columnea cuttings. Because the Col. cuttings need medium light to do well, the AV leaves also got more light than usual. (They are sitting in the same tray.)
I've got "ears" in 5 weeks. I *think* this is noticeably faster than usual - although I've never really timed it. I tend to shove them in a corner and forget about them for months and months. By the time I check in, they are a dividable size.
How about you? How long are yours taking?
time for a poll
That does sound fast. Are you doing anything different?
Mine are pretty variable. Sometimes it's just a couple of months, other times I've had a rooted leaf take 4 or 5 months to put up "ears." Since it's a fairly long wait, I don't really keep track, or I'd get too impatient!
keyring, how low is "low light". Like you, growing locations is my house are prime real estate. I would love to be able to move these around to a darker place if they will still take.
In answer to your poll, it seems the first leaf that gave me ears took about 6 weeks. Not having experience in this process I thought that was slow (as compared to rooting coleus-48 hrs).
critterologist, 4-5 months. are yours in a dark location?
The only difference is that these got a bit more light. "More light" meaning about 2 feet from a shoplight with two regular T8 tubes. (There is another shoplight on that shelf but it's currently not working for some reason and I haven't gotten around to fixing it.) This is actually "low light" for any of my other plants... LOL.
The really low light I did before was literally on the floor underneath a shelf. I have chrome shelving, so if the shelf is not packed, a tiny bit of diffused light would filter down to the floor. However, when I did that box (there's a post somewhere of my cardboard box lined with plastic sheeting) I put some flats on the shelf above it, so there was almost no light to speak of - maybe just a little from between the cracks, and a week here or there while I rearranged things. But even if that shelf was empty, it would be 3 ft from one shoplight.
This message was edited Mar 24, 2005 1:17 AM
how many hours is shop light on?
between 11 and 16 hrs, depending on the time of year.
oh boy, then I better keep mine right where the are. They get bright, not direct morning sun, maybe 4-5 hours and that's about it. I guess I'm lucky it only took 6 weeks to put out ears. When i got the ears I was so excited that I went and cut about 8 leaves and started rooting them. I noted it in my journal--i will be able to tell you more accurately how long those take. They are in the same spot. I'm using baggie method.
I think it may depend on the variety, or maybe on the age of the leaf. Mine get fairly bright indirect light in my south-facing morning room. Many do put up ears in 6-8 weeks, some take longer. I think the ones that took a really long time had longer stems buried (did those before I found Rob's web site and started cutting leaf stems down to 1/2 inch or so).
All of mine vary, but the little guys,(Mini's) seem to pop up first.
Most take 5-6 weeks. Those that didn't suffer the dreaded
"Chihuahua Herd mowing. :) that is..lol
MsC
speaking of cutting....
I cut these ones under water. You know how cut flowers last longer if you make the cut under water? (It prevent air bubbles form limiting water uptake.) For some reason, I did that this time. Another factor that may not have had an effect.
I know for a fact that I have rooted these ones before, and I've taken multiple leaves so it's not just a matter of the health of the leaves. I'm almost positive these ones are moving faster than is usual around here.
Fun stuff.
Yes, I think I've noticed a difference with the stem length also. I've never really timed mine, but I'd guess probably about two months. I, too, think I would lose patience if I actually timed it! And I, too, planted a bunch more leaves once the first ones worked. :) So much fun!
Actually, of the big batch of leaves I planted in late August-- most of whose plants are a fairly good size now-- one leaf hasn't sent up new leaves yet. It looks healthy, though, and is rooted firmly. Do you think there's any hope for it?? The other leaf of the same variety has the tiniest plantlet.
Mine seem to take at least 8 weeks. I guess I really do need more light.
I think I have a record.
The first of some leaves of a trailing mini I put down sprouted in two weeks.
The whole tray looks like this. This pic was taken one week after the leaves were put down. The soil is only around 1" deep, and there are a few tiny holes in the lid for a bit of ventilation.
Week one was spent with no light. Week two was off to the side under 2 T8 fluorescent tubes.
WOW! That's *fast*!!
OK, I'm cutting my leaves underwater next time!
and I'm cutting your leaves under water too! LOL!!!!
Here's a photo at 23 days. Most of the leaves have sprouted. I think that this particular plant must be a fast sprouter....
I really don't want to experiment with other leaves (can you imagine how many plants I'll end up with from this tray?) so I hope someone else will try this and report back.
Again, this is what I did:
- cut the tip off the leaf
- cut the stem under water - keep it short
- potting mix is only 1" deep or less (1:1:1 perlite, peat, vermiculite), moist not wet
- lid on the deli container with a few tiny holes for ventilation
- 70-75F
- first week, almost no light
- day 8 onwards: low indirect light (about 12 inches from 2 tubes of fluorescents)
That's pretty incredible. If it works for me I will be able to replace my Av collection in no time..lol
Wonder if a drop of SuperThrive to the water will add any advantages to the time table?Mmmm ... I will try it and see what happens.
I think I want to try this! Keyring, did you put any holes the the container, or just in the lid?
when do you plan to transplant?
This message was edited May 16, 2005 3:13 PM
Each leaf from each individual variety does incredibly different things for me. For example, I can get a baby plantlet from O's Little Rose Quartz in no time flat, and then it took months to get a plantlet out of Magic Charm. They're like puppies......all cute, lovely, etc. Individual habits? Wait and see!
=) MKJ
well, now you've got me putting dates on my leaf pots! I just spotted ears from one that I think I stuck 5 or 6 weeks ago, but since then I've been cutting the leaf stems underwater & using a little less soil in the pots (an inch or so rather than 2 inches), so we'll see if that speeds things up. The leaf pots are in a terrarium setting, so they're getting humidity. Both my repurposed fish tank & my domed cake plate are now at capacity, so additional leaves will be started under lights in the basement, in vented takeout containers like I used for wintersowing. I'm all excited about kicking my propagation up a notch or two!
Putting dates on any propagation is a good habit to pick up. I try to remember, but perhaps only half of mine have dates on them.
I'd be very interested in hearing how things turn out for folks. I know I've propagated this particular one frequently during different times of the year, and I don't think it's ever sprouted anywhere near this fast. Of course, it's difficult to do a well controlled experiment, but....
Okay, I have a question. Above we were talking about how stem length makes a difference in time for the leaves to sprout to the surface of the soil, so the suggestion is to cut the stems short. However, I've used long stems and then not planted them very deep, so that stem and leaf are above the soil. That way, once my plantlets are ready to be repotted, I can start the leaf over again and still have enough length to replant. This has always worked well for me, but is there a reason why NOT to do this??
keyring, good tip about dating. I will start doing that. could you pls look at my question on 5/16? thanks
hey vossner - I thought I had answered your question but I must have been sidetracked before I posted. The answer is: there are no holes in the bottom - yet. I haven't watered it yet either - when I water, I'll make holes. (Or maybe I won't if I water by dribbling with a straw or a squeeze bottle.)
And in response to your second question, I will probably transplant as late as possible, but on the other hand, if they can be transplanted by the time I have to water them, I might transplant then.... who knows. I'm pretty lazy about this whole process.
More to the point, I think it's best to split them up and transplant when you've got a good mass of roots - this sets them back less when they are divided.
Dana - I have no idea about the stem length..... maybe someone else has some thoughts?
"this has always worked well for me"
sounds like a good enough reason to keep doing what you're doing, Dana!
I guess that's a good way of looking at it. :) I think it's a good method if I only have one leaf and want to get lots of plantlets.
w-e-ll.... I spoke too soon.
I checked on them this evening and I will have to at least space them out more.
I put all the pics so far in a set here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ki/sets/358706/
For now there are only 4 pics, but you can watch it in a slideshow anyway. :-)
1 week, first sprout, 23 days, and today (33 days).
And it was quite light when I lifted it, so I'll be a-watering tomorrow morning. Doubt I'll have time to space them out, so I'll be ripping a few holes in the bottom.
This message was edited May 20, 2005 8:24 PM
keyring, thanks for answers. pictures and the process is general is SO TOTALLY COOL!
Just a quick update - latest and last pic in the series is up. This is at exactly 2 months.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ki/sets/358706/
keyring that is just great. I did try cutting the top off one of my leaves, so far I don't see where it has made a difference. If course, it seems to me those tiny leaves just kinda of sneak up on me. One day there's nothing and the next, voila.
You're doing great
well it all depends on the plant and the leaf too.
I'm really just posting these photos to illustrate how leaves looke when the sprout and to time it (for once) for myself.
Hey,They look great! I always enjoy looking at your pics!
I wished I had more room to grow more stuff.
Good going.
MsC
MY Babies are grown similar. Except I set them in 3 oz. solo cups and they are placed in plastic boxes. Either under lights or windows a couple feet from lights. My lights run 12-14 hours a day depending on the time of the year. Keeping them warm is important.
I have mouse ear any where from 2-4 weeks. With-in 3-4 months I have good size baby plants ready to go to new homes.
I also cut my stems under water and short. One inch or less . And I use a hand mixed light soil-less mixture.
At first I did not want to grow by leaf. As I thought it would take to long and I'd never live that long. But once I got the hang of it I could not stop putting down leaves.
Not having much living area period I share my babies :))
Thanks Keyring for sharing your story ! Allison
Allison,
What is your hand mixed mixture? I need to start some leaves soon. Also, when you transplant what type soil mixture do you use?
Sharon
something has gone wrong for me. I started some leaves in late June, using the baggie method and the dang things show no new growth! the leaves look perfect so I don't know what could be happening. All these are minis, BTW.
I don't bag or cover here in Florida I find I have enough humidity even with A/C running.
I like to put 25 percent worm castings, some kelp meal, bat poop ,
all organic ingeirdients, Por-mix, Perlite, vermiculite into my soil-less mixture.
But money is tight and for the past six or so months my husband has been mixing it different and I love it.
He buys big bags of MG potting soil ( I think thats what is says on the bag). I like my mix light. He is using one part MG , three parts Perilite. He buys the big brown bag of Perilte Home Depot. It's like 4 ft. tall for about $ 9.00. He mixes a gallon or so water and a couple cups still of bat guano ( bat poop I like using it , can't aford it now but have couple bags left :) He mixes it in one of those big plastic storage containers . He knows the feel of how it should be in his sleep now it always comes out the same. Then he put's it in my gaden rom under my potting table.
I use it for everything setting leaves, transplanting, gessies, Strep's, Begonia, Holiday Cactus and potted plants.
I always use new pots or solo cups. All new pots are bleached.
I use new fresh soil. I have a bucket when I transplant the old soil mix I dump into the bucket and it is put outside into our garden beds ! I work a little bit each day on my plants . I am homebound and it is my joy and keeps my mind busy.
A quick tip from Rob is to cut the top part of the leaf off. Then the energy goes into producing new plants instead of keeping the leaf growing. I do this all the time and it takes about 5 to 6 weeks for ears to appear. They do much better in the spring than they do in the fall or winter for me. In the spring I put them in the shed that has an east window. The bright sun during the day and the cool temperatures at night seem to lesson the time it takes for ears to show.
Nanna
Hmmm.... that report bodes well for the 2 trays of leaves now under lights in my basement!
I thought I'd been lightening my mix by going half and half with the Pro Mix (similar to Miracle Gro potting soil, but without the addd fertilizer) and the perlite, but your mix is even lighter, Allison! Those big bags of perlite are great... I can't get them at our HD, but one of the local nurseries carries them for not much more than that. I may have to go looking for bat poop now!
ROFL at your bat poop! :) I bet it works, but how would I explain it to the 3 year old??? Not to mention Home Depot, "Excuse me, Miss, I'm looking for BAT POOP"... can you imagine the look on her face!?! I might just have to do it for fun! LOL :)
Sarah