Propagating Plants
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twentysix by twentyfive
Clinging on tightly
- Location
- Over the Hill
Job looks a good un to me. If things begin to wilt you'll know the pulling it up part won't do any further harm. Any sign of new growth? If so it's well away.
summerdays
Cycling in the sun
- Location
- Bristol
I'd just leave it as it is, I've pulled them up before and disturbed the small roots in the process
They are all Choiysa cuttings in both pots but the bottom on gets a bit of sunlight whereas the top one doesn't get any direct sunlight so is surviving better despite the really low rainfall we are having and lack of attention.
I always think that new leaves developing is a good sign that it's taking!
Edit: I didn't do anything to them other than chop them off the plant and stick them in the pot, lower one not tucked up in the shade enough.
They are all Choiysa cuttings in both pots but the bottom on gets a bit of sunlight whereas the top one doesn't get any direct sunlight so is surviving better despite the really low rainfall we are having and lack of attention.
I always think that new leaves developing is a good sign that it's taking!
Edit: I didn't do anything to them other than chop them off the plant and stick them in the pot, lower one not tucked up in the shade enough.
Cycling Naturalist
Guru
- Location
- Llangollen
Don't pull at it - just look for growth. If it grows, then it has struck..
summerdays
Cycling in the sun
- Location
- Bristol
If it doesn't take and you end up having another go, I'd remove some of the leaves before planting, that way it doesn't have such a great need for water before it develops roots.
summerdays
Cycling in the sun
- Location
- Bristol
[QUOTE 3821446, member: 9609"]it did look a bit sad and floppy for a while (first ½ day) but it
you're keeping them out of direct sunlight ? are they indoors or out of doors ?[/QUOTE]
Outside, tucked up under a hedge beside a taller pot that protects one of them from sunlight. They were all done on the same day, about a month ago, but I know from past experience they take a long time to develop a rootball so I'm leaving them alone for the rest of this year I would guess.
I often take cuttings and just stick them in the ground. It's not got a high success rate but it's very low effort. I've done it with roses, cornus and other things too. Back of the border is usually where the sunlight levels are lower.
you're keeping them out of direct sunlight ? are they indoors or out of doors ?[/QUOTE]
Outside, tucked up under a hedge beside a taller pot that protects one of them from sunlight. They were all done on the same day, about a month ago, but I know from past experience they take a long time to develop a rootball so I'm leaving them alone for the rest of this year I would guess.
I often take cuttings and just stick them in the ground. It's not got a high success rate but it's very low effort. I've done it with roses, cornus and other things too. Back of the border is usually where the sunlight levels are lower.
summerdays
Cycling in the sun
- Location
- Bristol
[QUOTE 3821454, member: 9609"]in the picture there is about 8 inches above the soil and a couple under - would you have used a shorter cutting or just snipped off more of the leaves that are on, how many leaves would you have left ?
I am wanting about 50 of these plants so just thinking on improving on my tequnique with the first few I have started (have got 4 under way and they all look as good as the one in the picture) I suppose I should be getting them underway in the next few weeks?[/QUOTE]
I'd have taken off most of the larger leaves and left the smaller ones or cut the larger ones in half is a technique I've seen but not tried myself. You need to balance the need for water loss from leaves, with the need for leaves to produce energy.
And I'd want about a third to a half underground.
I've just an amateur so I'm probably not doing it the right way.
I've also read recently that cinnamon powder is meant to be a good alternative rooting compound but I've not tried it myself.
I am wanting about 50 of these plants so just thinking on improving on my tequnique with the first few I have started (have got 4 under way and they all look as good as the one in the picture) I suppose I should be getting them underway in the next few weeks?[/QUOTE]
I'd have taken off most of the larger leaves and left the smaller ones or cut the larger ones in half is a technique I've seen but not tried myself. You need to balance the need for water loss from leaves, with the need for leaves to produce energy.
And I'd want about a third to a half underground.
I've just an amateur so I'm probably not doing it the right way.
I've also read recently that cinnamon powder is meant to be a good alternative rooting compound but I've not tried it myself.
Bobby Mhor
Legendary Member
- Location
- Behind You
Leave it for more time before you start trying to see if it has rooted as new roots are fine and tender..
Best idea is to take more than one cutting....
keep moist but not too wet...
a cloche is best for putting cuttings outside..
(being in the the trade at one point, I never used rooting powder or gel..)
Just use good compost not that black s***e they all sell cheap now...
best tip is just to cut below a node in the plant..
Plenty info on line and You Tube I'd guess
Best idea is to take more than one cutting....
keep moist but not too wet...
a cloche is best for putting cuttings outside..
(being in the the trade at one point, I never used rooting powder or gel..)
Just use good compost not that black s***e they all sell cheap now...
best tip is just to cut below a node in the plant..
Plenty info on line and You Tube I'd guess
Ganymede
Veteran
- Location
- Rural Kent
Cuttings can take a long time to root. You may not know it's succeeded for a month or two. I've done boxwood cuttings and it is like joining a long, slow-burning faith - they didn't show growth till the following Spring but they all came on strongly and I was giving them away in the end.
The mix doesn't need to be too rich - it needs to be free-draining so not too heavy - add grit or even small stones to help this.
The mix doesn't need to be too rich - it needs to be free-draining so not too heavy - add grit or even small stones to help this.
annedonnelly
Girl from the North Country
- Location
- Canonbie
I'm doing a course on soils at the moment and there have been comments from a scientist that using the rooting compound does no good - it does no harm either but they considered it a waste of money.
summerdays
Cycling in the sun
- Location
- Bristol
[QUOTE 3821538, member: 9609"]how wet is too wet ?
I have the plant pot standing in about 20mm of water and I guess the bottom of the cutting will be about 20 mm above this and the top of the soil about 50mm hgher again (so overall soil depth 90mm cutting shoved in 50mm)
I would describe the soil as pretty damp but not sodden.[/QUOTE]
Well well that's wetter than mine which is sitting on the path and wasn't watered once while I was away last week.
I have the plant pot standing in about 20mm of water and I guess the bottom of the cutting will be about 20 mm above this and the top of the soil about 50mm hgher again (so overall soil depth 90mm cutting shoved in 50mm)
I would describe the soil as pretty damp but not sodden.[/QUOTE]
Well well that's wetter than mine which is sitting on the path and wasn't watered once while I was away last week.
Ganymede
Veteran
- Location
- Rural Kent
[QUOTE 3821538, member: 9609"]how wet is too wet ?
I have the plant pot standing in about 20mm of water and I guess the bottom of the cutting will be about 20 mm above this and the top of the soil about 50mm hgher again (so overall soil depth 90mm cutting shoved in 50mm)
I would describe the soil as pretty damp but not sodden.[/QUOTE]
That's too wet! It needs to be damp. It doesn't matter if it dries out a bit - but should not be sitting in water.
I have the plant pot standing in about 20mm of water and I guess the bottom of the cutting will be about 20 mm above this and the top of the soil about 50mm hgher again (so overall soil depth 90mm cutting shoved in 50mm)
I would describe the soil as pretty damp but not sodden.[/QUOTE]
That's too wet! It needs to be damp. It doesn't matter if it dries out a bit - but should not be sitting in water.
howard2107
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Leeds
I had a mate who was brilliant at this, unfortunately he succumbed to the Police helicopter when it identified a very warm roof on his house. His idea of plants and yours may be somewhat different. He is currently on an all inclusive at one of her majesties finest resorts. 
Ganymede
Veteran
- Location
- Rural Kent
Ach, hemp is a cinch to grow from seed. If you have a bird feeder with hempseed in it you may find you've accidentally grown some already. My husband's ex used to grow it in her garden in the summer, but was caught out when my rather innocent elderly mother-in-law, a keen and skilled gardener, admired the unusual plant and wanted to know what it was. "Er.... Tall Basil"...I had a mate who was brilliant at this, unfortunately he succumbed to the Police helicopter when it identified a very warm roof on his house. His idea of plants and yours may be somewhat different. He is currently on an all inclusive at one of her majesties finest resorts.
This thread prompted me to go and look at the winter honeysuckle that I struck about 2 months ago - 3 out of 4 cuttings putting up shoots! yay! I've also done well with penstemons.
Dave 123
Legendary Member
- Location
- Cambridgeshire alps
Being a horticulture professional I can only say that pretty much all of the above advice is good.
You only want the soil moist, not wet. It will rot off if standing in water. If you have the time mist the leaves regularly.
And you're right, it's a Pyracantha you old clever clogs you!
You only want the soil moist, not wet. It will rot off if standing in water. If you have the time mist the leaves regularly.
And you're right, it's a Pyracantha you old clever clogs you!