Has anyone devised a way to keep the cuttings' roots from tangling into one big mass inside the bucket? I know it's still hot out there, but I would like to have a setup ready when the time comes to take cuttings to overwinter.
Veronica
Bubbler questions????...
A friend of mine did this setup with dowel rods, I thought it was pretty neat!
well I am using the bottom of clear plastic water bottle, one cutting to a bottle, so roots can spread. I have a small hole in the side to make sure the water flows freely, I purchased a $2 clear plastic container from the Dollar General store it will hold 14 cuttings, plus the bubbler
Violabird and kareoke,
Thank you for your ideas.
Violabird, I like the dowel rod idea especially for the longer cuttings. The dowels would add extra support further up the cutting. I have a bunch of bamboo stalks that would do just as well. Thanks.
Kareoke, I've been breaking my head thinking of ways to keep the roots separate — all of them expensive. We go through a ton of water bottles because I don't want my kitchen glasses going out the door. They never seem to make it back. Would you mind a few more questions? How tall is the bottom part of the plastic water bottles you are using? Does it matter where the small hole is? Do you fill the large tub up to the level of the water bottles? One last one. Do the water bottles stay in place or do they have a tendency to float? Thank you for your ideas.
BD, I've had several bubblers full of rooted plants and I've never had a problem separating the roots, I just gently pull them apart. I had one container packed with cuttings and they had to stay much longer than I anticipated and they had very fat root balls - I didn't have a choice and was amazed they pulled apart so easily, it was a snap. If I was going to separate them, which, for me is just an extra step, I'd use the dowels, very good idea. I won't use wire because it bruised them and broke off leaves. I love all the bubbler ideas - yesterday a limb the size of a Subaru fell on my Monster White, full of buds. I brought four broken limbs in and put them in the bubbler and I'm really enjoying watching them through the glass and it looks like they have every intention of blooming, but a little early to tell...
Betty since the cutting is sitting on the bottom of the plastic bottle I found they stay in place, I cut the bottle in half and use both parts, the Top of the bottle doesn float a little but no problem. I put the cap part down. I fill the container about 3/4 the way up the bottle half.
A toothpick, stuck in the bottom of the cutting, will keep the cutting from sitting on the bottom, for better circulation, and seems to keep them from rotting/turning to mush.
Thanks everyone for all that information.
Veronica