It was all going so well

I took cuttings from some plants in order to take them with us when we move. I took ceanothus, spotted laurel, Euonymous and a bit of the neighbours that may be privet. Unfortunately my excitement at how good they looked has gone because most of them died. I think I left the plastic bags on for too long cos they went mouldy (furry) or maybe the peat-free compost wasn't sterile.

Ah well I'll do it again and hope for the best. Hope everyone else's attempts are going better

 

You may have over-watered Craig.

 

After I watered them after putting them in the pots I didn't touch them again. They were in really free draining compost+sharp sand.

 

Actually Craig they don't really want much water at first. Remember that for the first 10 days or so they have no roots so they can't use the water. But I do water to pack the compost down around the cuttings, otherwise it leaves air holes that the new roots won't like.

As Sarraceniac says it sounds like too much water. Also I like to spray them with Cheshunt (copper) compound, which tends to help combat the dreaded rot. Its worth using a hormone rooting powder because it has an antifungal added. But if you run out of that you can use atheletes foot powder. Won't make them run any faster, but that too has an antifungal in it.

 

Not sure when you took the cuttings Craig.

Most that you state there I believe grow best from semi ripe cuttings, that means taking them in late summer, just as the stems are hardening up.

I could be wrong but if you took them during the winter its not the best time.

 

Oh dear Craig, i'm sorry to hear about your plants. Did any survive?

cheers

 

borrowers: I have 2 euonymous surviving (poor things struggling on) and the spotted laurels are half blackened but haven't lost their leaves and given up yet so I'm just keeping the air circulating and fingers crossed.

Pete: I was following the RHS propagation book and they say it's possible this time of year for all of the above but I agree it'll prob be more successful later in the year when they're bigger/stronger and less prone to wilt. That'll teach me for being too eager. There's still time before the move so nothing lost.

 

try using hormone rooting powder. roots on some of my cuttings appeared within the first few days!!

 

Hi Craig. Cuttings can suffer from botrytis (moud) This happens if the clones are too wet for a long period of time without fresh air. Its tricky you need to keep it just right. Best way is in a propergator using rockwell cubes. Stems can take up fluids from the cube. Try to avoid over doing the foliar spay. Dont forget to dip in rooting hormone to speed up the new root growth. Provide cuttings with near on 100% humidity for the first few days then start to open the air vents a little on the propergator to get the air moving. Lack of air and water causes moud. Also this is plant specific and different plants have different cutting techniques.

Hope this helps

Colins

Hydroponic Shop