My Luck with rooting hoya

I just wanted to let you guys know that I have roots! I started with cuttings, put them in the Ziplock bags, did the blow 'em up each day thing and after three weeks, they looked the same. Not being a very patient person, I decided to stick them into my tray of begonia and misc. cuttings. The tray is 100% perlite on a heated propagation mat.

After 4 days, a very woody h. polystachys had roots. h. australis has roots, and so do several others. I was so excited to see roots after only 4 days that I put h. 'Ruthie' on Monday this week. guess what? By thursday, she had roots. I'm not kidding. It is the magic tray.
Here's some photos I took this morning.
I'm just so happy to find a method that works so well for me. I was getting discouraged with the ziplock method.

Here's h. austalis after about one week

Here's h. polynura 'fishtail'
keep in mind that these didn't even have nubbies.

Here's h. 'Ruthie' who when she went into the perlite didn't have a single nubbie, just smooth stem!
(thanks for this cutting Awanda! )

And while this isn't a hoya, I wanted to share what it's doing for begonias.
I received this cutting from a friend way back in early September. I've had it in my greenhouse in a propagation tray ever since. After all that time, there wasn't a single root. I was getting very impatient with it so I decided to bring it inside and put it in the 'magic' tray and within three days I had roots.
This is what it looks like after 9 days in the tray. I put it in on 12/9/05
I was stunned to see these roots.
I also had a tradescantia 'Blushing Bride' cutting that I knocked off the mother plant so I stuck it in as well. roots in three days!
Go figure. It's like 'Jack and the bean stalk' only it's 'Lali and the perlite tray'!

I also have luck with 100 percent perlite, only I use little plastic cups with holes in the bottom & set into an aquarium (on heat).
How do you water your tray? How wet do you keep the perilite,and is the whole thing enclosed in a mini greenhouse or anything like that? In other words...how do you deal with the humidity factor? Thanks for sharing.
Marcy

Very interesting, do you have a picture of your 'magic tray'?

Here's a photo of the tray, filled with misc. plants, some ripsalis, some hoya, begonias, trads, AV's, crassula, even avacado pits.

I have a dome, but don't use it. I water when it feels like it needs it, but double check with a water meter. I keep it at the middle of the 'moist' on the meter. I put holes in the bottom of the tray and it sits on another tray to catch any water.

The overall humidity in my office (which doubles as my indoor greenhouse) is at 45-50%. I tried the dome on my AV leaves to the left and it was way too humid so I took it off.

I think I water about every third day. During the summer time, when it was in the high 90's in my office (no A/C) I used a 30/30/30 mix of soil less planting mix, perlite and vermiculite. It did great because it didn't dry out too fast. I think that if the conditions were the same now, I'd HAVE to use the dome for moisture loss. But on average, my office stays about mid to high 60's (brrrrr.... I'm always wrapped in blankets and socks whem I'm in here) I do have a small 'dish' heater, but it only puts out so much heat. So far everyone is happy in this environment.

Here's a corner of my (messy) office. It's a detached building (like a mini barn) that DH built for me. Our 100 yr old house is so tiny and just didnt have the room for me do work out of.

I had read, somewhere, just about any plant will root faster with planted with Begonias....thought it was just Urban Legend!!!

Great job.

I guess it's a plant competition thing. something like 'She'll love me more if I root faster than you' plant mentality.

LOL Begoniacrazii!! I like the idea of plant competition! Your setup is fantastic! Karen

Lali,
Do you use a thermostat to control the temperature of the heat mat? If so, what temperature is it set on for rooting?

Shirley

I don't have the thermostat, they run about $35 so I debated ...Hmmm buy plants .... buy thermostat... buy plants..... buy thermostat...
(cost of mat and thermostat was over $75 - yikes)
What I ended up doing is putting tin foil under the mat to keep from losing too much heat and then doubled over an old bath towel and put it on top of the mat to keep it from getting too hot. Then I used a 'Jiffy' brand drip tray that came with felt wicking material. I took out the material and used the tray as an added buffer, and to catch the excess water from the propagation tray. Total cost about $3. Saved myself some cashola for plants.

Can you see the desperation of a plant addicted gal?

If you like, I'll post photos of the individual parts. I'm not sure what the temp is, but I'll put my not ver scientific thermometer on the mat for a bit and see what it reads out.
Lali

Lali.. I'm green with envy! I really do NEED go get one of those shelf units like you have. Now, question... what is the large-leafed beauty you have at the very back left of the perlite tray? Is that a H. glabra?
I like the way you use skewers and toothpicks to prop the leaves and keep them from laying on the media. Good thinkin'!

Barb

Lali,
Thanks for the information. I would like to see photos of the individual parts and know your thermometer reading.

Shirley

That big number is h. polystacha (sp?) and even she has a new root!! It is very woody. Yea, those african violet leaves don't want to lay down at all, too much condensation on the back of the leaves makes them rot. Plus I use the bamboo to dig holes when I put plants down.

I'm constantly lifting them to see if they have roots (not a very patient plant mom here) so I just use the bamboo to keep burrowing in the perlite.

Temp reads....whoa 110º that can't be right, of course that is directly on the towel on the mat. I don't think it's that high inside the tray. More like mid 80 at the bottom, and cool to the touch at the surface. I know it's not very scientific, but so far it's working. keep in mind that my office is pretty cool so that likely counteracts the warm tray.

For the shelves, well, i got mine at CostCo. They run about $80 here on the Left coast, but I know you can get them at Sams Club, we just don't have one around here. the lights run $8 plus $7-8 for bulbs. These are 48" wide shelves and lights.

This new one I got at Target for $60 and it's much smaller. only 36" long. (see the photo of it in my bedroom. DH agreed to let me put one in there. Little does he know what it will lead to! (sinister laugh) I needed a place to keep my AV's isolated before they join me in my office (aka my playhouse) and infect anyone if they have bugs. This is the only place logical for them as our teeny tiny house doesn't have much room.

Hope he doesn't mind the flood lights coming on at 6am..... stay tuned....

Tough to find lights (like shop lights - the economical kind) that are 36" so I ordered 24" (from a hydroponic store) and figured the african violets would have to make do. I did get the more expensive 'grow' bulbs with wider spectrum to try and make up for it.

One thing I'll do is rather than use two expensive bulbs, i'll just use one per light and use a cheap bulb (I like the warm light) in the other socket. I guess that way I give them a little dose of the full spectrum light they want without breaking the bank. Gulp.

Any hoo... photos of indiv. parts on the way....

Shirly, here you are.
First one shows the product.

Here's what they look like without the packaging and the wicking material (which I don't use)

Here is the set up (yellow part between is the towel)

Here's how I have this corner of the 'playhouse' set up for propagation.
in the way back is the brugmansia bubbler - full of rooter brugs (except Maya, anyone have an extra cutting, she turned to mush)
then is the cloning machine
then a tray of misc begonias and odd balls
then is the 'magic' perlite tray (lol)
then the tray of AV leaves and one begonia
lastly is the tray of AV babies.

Across from them is my drafting table and computer so while I'm working I can always keep an eye on my 'babies'

Lali,
Thanks so much for the pictures. I have been debating on purchasing the heat mat because of cost, but after reading about your success with it and viewing your setup, I have made up my mind. I'm going to get one. No more procrastinating!

Shirley

I'm happy that I did. And in fact I just bought another for the bedroom set up. I looked into the heating pads (for people, not plants LOL) you can get at WalMart in the pharmacy section. It ran about $20 but was smaller. The heat settings are lo, med and high. So I might give that a try if I need another.

At least you can control the heat somewhat.

I figure I'll use it for sore shoulders after gardening if I don't use it for propagating.

Shirley, be sure to test the temp before you put any plants in. I made the mistake of not doing that and cooked a batch of cuttings. Woops!

I used the WalMart pads for years....on Lo, with a tray full of pebbles on top and then my tray of plants. Worked really well.

Now that I am flying First Class with Heating Pads....I keep the thermometre at 70-73 deg....I have three going all the time during the winter which is my propagating time....

Elec. bills are horrendous at nearly .30cents a KWH.

But NOthing is too good for my hoyas!!!!

do you use only perlite or a mix?

I'm hooked on this for winter. I'm sure I couldn't get away with it in our dry summers but for winter indoor gardening pleasure it is working.

on a side note. I had a batch of fungus gnat infested begonia cuttings. I mean I drenched those buggers with neem, BT whatever. Nothing seemed to get ahead of them. So on the 9th, i removed all the cuttings. replaced the soil with 100% perlite then rinsed and dunked all the cuttings in BT. I re-cut all the ends where the maggots might be hiding and stuck them all in the perlite.

95% have roots! no kidding. I was amazed. These have been languishing in my greenhouse since September with no roots and no progress other than not being dead. Now all but two or so have nice roots started. AND they are not on any heat. Just under grow lights. In fact most had roots after about 6 days.

So it would seem that for my winter conditions, perlite is the magic I need to get me through the winter. (BIG smile)

the only hoya being stubborn is h. carnosa 'rubra' (lemon yellow center -green edges with green splotches) but i'll wait for her to catch up...

Wow, what a fantastic idea! Your set up looks amazing!! I definitely need to get on the light cart band wagon!
Heather

Be careful Heather, once you have one plant cart, it gets filled up fast and then the need for a second and a third and....
you get the picture! LOL

Thanks for the pics Lali, looks like you have fun in your office. I have 2 plant stands like yours, 48 x 72 inches, and use the 48" shop lights. Mine is inside in a spare room which is dedicated to inside plants.

I've been in search of pearlite, but all the stores (Walmart and Lowes) have down sized the garden department and put in Christmas decorations. Guess I'll have to go to a real garden center because I really need to get some more.

Looks like you like African Violets. Have you ever grown them from seed? I would never have thought of doing that, but I got a pack as a 'bonus' from Park a couple of years ago. I planted them and it was very interesting watching them turn from green fuzz to actual little leaves. They grew real fast and bloomed in less than a year. I was amazed. Several of them were very unusual (to me anyway). They have bloomed non stop and are still blooming today. Don't know if I have pics at work, but I'll post them this evening.

Linda

Lali...I use my regular potting mix which is very coarse and airy... because I am lazy and there is little room for two separate mixes. 1/4 of my regular mix is perlite and another 1/4 is lava cinders...the other stuff is chunky bark and coir.

Sounds like you have a wonderful system and terrific success. GREAT!!!! Lessons for all of us.

Carol

Linda, please do post your photos to the AV forum.
I'm just now getting back into AV's. I spent 17 years killing them but have recently been motivated to give them the right environment so I can keep them alive. Violet Treasure sent me 10 plantlets and 12 sets of leaves so I am doing my best not to kill them so I can do the spring trade with the others in the forum.

Not that I don't LOVE all my hoya, but AV's are much faster to grow and bloom for me. I am getting pretty excited about their speedy rooting (can ya tell!) just cant wait for more of the scrumptious blooms!)

I've never tried seeds, but I do have some streptocarpus seeds that I'm going to put down soon. Keyring sent them to a group of us in the AV forum. A special hybrid she wants us to test out. Fun!

Carol,
this set up is great for me in my environment, but you know, what works here probably wont work somewhere else. I just stumbled on a successful method for the moment. Glad I did, it's been raining non stop for two days and I start to get that winter blues syndrome without my sunshine.

Still trying to talk DH into moving somewhere tropical, but he's got deep roots here. Blah! I'm so ready for another trip to Maui, in fact I'd take any island at the moment. So gray outside. (frown!)

Laurie, what a nice setup. I haven't tried just perlite, but it looks like it works. I am just shocked what a difference the bottom heat makes. Just in the two weeks I've had my germination pad, I have seen new growth on all my rooted cuttings. " Lisa "has put on two new leaves. I wish I would have listened to you all earlier. It's like night and day. Thanks for sharing your photo's and Idea's.
Tami

Thanks for the pictures, Laurie. What a setup!! You got the touch!
:) Donna

I've decided to try your method, begoniacrazii! OK, so I put the cuttings in perlite (oh, I dipped them in Hormex first), have them on a heating mat, under lights. I also have my humidifier going. Does this sound right?? How much watering do you do with the perlite? Do you water them in, I assume? Any feedback or additional suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks - Karen (an obvious newbie)

Karen, looks good. make sure you don't cook your babies like I did the first time (i don't have a thermostat) maybe stick your finger all the way to the bottom.

I don't have a humidifier. Did you put holes in the bottom? I pulled out most of them yesterday and potted them up. My h.polystacha was really rooted out!. Even carnosa that was being stubborn is rooted now. and same with the fishtail. h. polynura.

as for watering, i used a moisture meter at first to make sure it was staying moist not soggy. but now i just have to look at it to know. if you look at your dry perlite, it has a more chalky texture. once you add the water, it seems more translucent. if the top starts to look dry/chalky, i water, especially the corners. any excess drains out the bottom. I think I water about every second or third day, but just sips, not a total drench.

since our environments are different you will probably have to keep an eye on them at first. Especially if your place is pretty warm. mine stays in the 60's to low 70's, lower at night. humidity in the room is hovering int he mid 40%-50%.

here's a shot of h. polystacha. I potted it up yesterday, but un-potted it to show you the roots, even since I first posted. It had one tiny 1/4" root then, now look at it.

Here's polynura again, it actually looked better back in the beginning, i need to put it in a pot i think!

And here's stubborn and slow h. carnosa. It seems pretty happy now. I blow it kisses when I see it to encourage her to root darn it root!

Take a look at h. polystacha on 12/18/05. You'll see in the photo where I outlined the ittybitty root in white lines. I'm sorry the shot was so bad, way over exposed. Should've turned the flash off. I was too lazy to retake it's photo.
Anyway, you'll get the idea on just how fast it rooted out. That was just 11 days ago!

WOW... Nice rooting.... I'm sending all mine to your house Laurie!!!

This tray has been good to me. My AV leaves have 1/2 " roots. Tradescantia rooted in a matter of days and had to be removed due to overzealousness! I think the trick is the heat!

I agree with you on the heat. It is like night and day. I'm to chicken to pull them out of the dirt to look at them, but they are getting new growth.

Bottom heat makes all the difference in the world. After I root mine in a plastic baggie, I then sit them on a propagation mat with a rack on top of it and inside a Biglots mini greenhouse. That really helps to increase the growth.

Blessings,
Awanda