The sp. Tanna Island cutting that just arrived from Carol (yes, dance the happy dance everyone...), is a very thin leaf and stem plant and I am worried that my usual root-in-a-glass-of-water routine may not be appropriate this time. So, I am going to try the baggie method that I have read so much about on this forum.
Here is what I have done so far:
I have put it in a jumbo ziploc baggie with some drops of water (faucet to fingers to flinging in the bag)
I blew air into the baggie and zipped it up
It is now sitting in a shady spot on top of my computer which puts off heat
Here are my questions:
Do I open it up and blow in it every day? Or, every other day?
Do I need to add more than just a few drops of water? How often?
Are there any other tricks about this method I should know about?
About how long should I wait for roots to appear on the sp. Tanna Island before becoming alarmed at my stupidity for doing something different?
Do I need to make myself a mixed drink and chill out before I love this and all of my other hoya children to death?
Oy Vay I am very nervous...
Ann
Trying the baggie rooting method for the first time
Good questions, Ann! I'd like to use this method also. I've got myself a drink and we'll just sit back and await answers from those who know these things! Karen
I know Awanda uses this successfully, as does Sandyc...I have used it to rehydrate cuttings. Put out a scream to one of those two.... :>)
I'm new to growing hoyas so I'm not an expert but I have a number of cuttings that I've been rooting in Ziploc bags. All the first ones I tried to root using this method were successful so I'm using it for all of them. I find that the bags deflate a bit each day and I like to check them anyhow so I blow more air into them every day. I also find it helps to keep the condensation high in the bags. When I first put them in the bags I spray a bit of water in with them. I use water that's been sitting for at least 24 hours so the chlorine has dissipated and I add a drop or two of Thrive Alive (I think it's the Canadian equivalent to Superthrive). I only spray them again after about 4 days or if they look dry.
So far I'm finding they root fairly easily but what I'm worried about is the next step. lol
Sandy
I think you should have the drink regardless. Sounds like you did everything right. I would add air to the bag everyday. Awanda mentioned something about air leaving the bag overnight. She re-inflates it every morning. Hth!
Heather
Thank you all so much! I have had a stiff drink and feel better. Does anyone know about how long does it take for the sp. Tanna Island to develop roots? I ask since the other threads about rooting cite various times for the different hoyas, and I don't want to start getting all "antsy" and mess with the darned thing.
Here's how I root cuttings and it works just about 100% of the time, I use this method to save room in the house and create an ongoing atmosphere for the plants once they root and start growing...Of course if you have a lot of room you can do this with individual pots and cuttings and just use smaller bags.
I take all the cuttings, place them with cut end in the dirt up to the point where the next set of leaves start, using a 10 to 12 inch pot full of potting soil. I use moist dirt to begin with and then water after they are all planted, then I just take a garbage bag, place the pot in and tie up the strings. In active growing season, it takes about 3 to 4 days for them to start growing roots, in off time depending on how cool the house is, it takes about 5 to 7 days. I leave them in the bag and open it to take a look and let in fresh air about every 5th day or so. I've rooted some of the more difficult ones this way and am very pleased with the results. Of course if it's cooler in your house, (under 68o) I would put them on a heat mat and open the bag more often to check on them.
Just my $.02 and maybe it can help someone else!
Oh, and it's great to be back finally!!!
Janice
YAY Janice!!! This is a new method to me!! So, they are rooting in a black garbage bag? For the really thin leafed ones I often put a clear plastic bag over the pot but I don't seal it shut...just enough closed to let the humidity build up...
Hi Carol!! Good to talk to you on here!
Ack, I forgot that there were other colors of garbage bags, I use white garbage bags, and on the plants it makes it really bright for them without giving too much sun. Gosh, I would think that in HI you wouldn't even need bags for rooting, isn't it like living in a big plastic bag all the time there?!!! :O)
Janice
Yup...we living in a walking/breathing spa here! But I still increase humidity at propagating time as the leaves are TRANSpiring more than taking moisture IN. :>)
Hey, Ann...how are your baggies going?
Can we call you the Bag Lady?
Thanks for all of your advice - everyone!!!
OK, I am unsure as to how the babies are "doing." I am going to repeat some info that I just put on another thread (so please forgive the repeat).
I have the sp. Tanna Island (and now some lovelies from Patricia) in a jumbo baggie and I put it on top of the digital cable box (it has vents and is always on, so it always has a bit of warm air coming from it).
The Tanna Island seems like it is now a little bit "limp" - I am guessing anything in a warm and humid environment will be a bit "limp." If I am wrong about this, please tell me so I can fix whatever I screwed up!
I am attempting to not fiddle with it, but like others on this forum I feel this compulsion to check on it frequently (the plant is probably getting really annoyed).
I have been letting out the air and blowing the bag up once a day.
Does it sound like I am doing everything like I should?
Thanks again for all your help!
Ann (Bag Lady Extraordinaire)
Awanda and Sandyc....where are you? I am ignorant of the baggie method....Milan, help!!! We have The Bag Lady Extraordinaire in stress mode.....
911?
Overall the technique used seems OK but I would remove the bag from above the cable box as it could get too warm there.
I use this method almost exclusiveley except for a few like Krinkle 8 and hindu rope.
Patricia
I've found that the Ziploc bags work really well. It seems to take longer for some cuttings than others but so far I've found that eventually I get roots. I think you might be right about it not working so well with the ones with skinny stems. I have a tsangii that lost all of its leaves and looks like it's dying. I took it out of the bag and put it in water. It didn't look too good when I got it though so maybe the thin ones just don't stand up very well to being mailed. I found that the bag totally revived another one that was quite dehydrated when I got it and now one piece of it is getting roots.
Sandy