Oh my. I was just making my watering rounds and I noticed that one of my cuttings had grown soft on top. Without even thinking I grabbed a knife and cut it off M*A*S*H triage style (patch 'em up quickly then let the specialists take over) and now I'm here for help. Actually I'm not certain I even got it all but if I go any deeper I'll have to hack off a set of leaves. This is my first attempt at brugs and I was so tickled that they rooted well for me. I thought the hard part was over! What do I do now? Can it be saved or is all lost? What did I do wrong? I didn't think I was overwatering but might I have been?
Oh my.
Help Please....Rooted Cutting Soft on Top
A photograph is always helpful. How large is the cutting? What size pot? What is the normal temperature of the place where the cutting is kept? Does it get any sunlight? How long ago did you pot the cutting?
A cutting that is actively growing and in a small pot can handle more frequent watering than a cutting actively growing in a large pot. A cutting that is being overwintered in a dark basement doesn't need much if any water. One that gets sunlight may continue to grow but very slowly so watering needs are much reduced. I find that greenwood cuttings are more susceptible to rot than mature and semi-mature wood cuttings. You didn't mention how often you are watering these cuttings, but if the top has begun to rot, dig out the cutting and examine the roots. They are probably damaged. If the cutting is large enough you may be able to cut off ALL of the rotten matter, dusting the remaining cut with a fungicide and re-rooting it. If the roots are OK, re-pot it in an container in which the roots just fit with just enough room to place some potting mix between the walls of the pot and the roots. Soil that doesn't have roots growing in it will retain too much water encouraging root rot. If the cuttings are going dormant, overwatering is the greatest enemy. Check the top 1 - 2" of soil for moisture content before watering again. I know my answer is all over the place, but if you can provide more information, it would be easier to target your specific problem. I hope some of this helps.
Oh thank you for responding Betty. I thought about taking a picture last night...... AFTER I'd pulled my Margaret Houlihan routine. I don't know if these will help but I'll show you what I've got. I received the cutting just a month ago. I had it in water for a few days then put it in a tray with perlite and soiless mix where it rooted almost immediately. I potted it into a 4"(?) pot where it now lives 2-3" under lights.
The cutting is about 5" tall
Another view of the new cut
I just lifted it from the pot. Here's a shot of the roots.
And another.........
Do you think it will make it?
Thank you so much!
Plant looks great, stop worrying, you did good. A plant will sometimrs loose the part it does not need.
It's fine! They will "discard" any parts that have been cut, to the node.. Like if you cut a leaf off.. the stem will turn yellow and drop off leaving a "wound" that heals itself. Just let it do what it needs to.. it looks great! Your a good brug mom!
Yes, it should make it. The roots are healthy and what is left is too. Margaret Houlihan would be proud!
Next time, think like the surgeon back in Tokyo. The cut is very close to the topmost sprout. If there is any dieback it may go, but the rest will be OK. Try not to cut so close to a node with a live sprout, as any dieback will take the sprout with it. Also the slant is a little deep. That exposes more of the interior and possible fungal or bacterial invasion. One more thing. Brugs are tough birds. Even if the top dies down, if the roots are healthy, they will send up new growth from a node below ground so don't toss any out until the roots are also dead, dead.
Whew! Thanks so much ALL of you! I'm glad I finally came out of lurkdom on this wonderful board. You guys are the best!
La
Betty do you put anything on the wound?
I usually get a q tip dusted with rooting hormone to ward off any cooties when it's still wet from a fresh cut.. I've also heard to use elmer's glue. I usually don't do my cuttings, but I do tend the open wounds on the parent plant.
LOL @ the cooties. I wondered about the wound myself and forgot to ask.
I'm glad you came out too Lala... :)
That's a good idea about treating the wound ZZ!
Joyce, although I know it's a good idea to treat the wound, I usually don't. By the time I think of using something the cut has dried off. I use Lysol to disinfect my pruning shears and wonder if it would be OK to spray it on the cut surface. I have lucked out so far and have to be more diligent about caring for those cuts.
LOL I'm still new enough that it bothers me to cut.. I'd get bandaids if I could. LOL
You should have seen the first time I was at Donna's and she was taking cuttings.. I almost got sick..LOL I had to hand her the cutters! Swear it's true! I really love my brugs!
I'm better now.. but I always wanna doctor the parent plant.. just in case.
Ha! Somebody's going to have to doctor ME untill I get used to this.