Starting cuttings

[Hamish]

I purchased 10 mulberry cuttings that I intend to strike ready to plant out once I take over the new property at Crooble.

The instructions for striking were to put them in potting mix in the shade and to water every day. I was bound to forget to water them and would kill them for sure.

So I decided to just push them into the clay balls under the shade of the tomato plants in the flood and drain grow beds.

And guess what - after just 10 days in the grow bed they are already starting to sprout!

As a comparison I put some into cocopeat - these are not yet sprouting.

I also put some in cocopeat but first dipped them in rooting hormone gel. These are starting to sprout.

But the clear winners currently are the ones in the clay ball flood and drain beds without any rooting hormone added.

I think using the flood and drain beds is a good way to start cuttings. I will post photos once they really start to grow.

[fishfood]

Good one Hamish a bit like these grape cuttings just pushed in the self seeded carrot bed of vemiculite

[Hamish]

Did all the cuttings you put in strike FF?

[fishfood]

Yes Hamish all struck

[anniefish]

Hi Hamish,
If you don't have hormone powder, use honey, I've had equal success with it.

Hi Fishfood, great grapes, what variety are they?
Ann

[fishfood]

Hi Hamish,
If you don't have hormone powder, use honey, I've had equal success with it.

Hi Fishfood, great grapes, what variety are they?
Ann

Just told they were white wine grapes
next season they go in dirt

[Hamish]

Hi Hamish,
If you don't have hormone powder, use honey, I've had equal success with it.Ann

Thanks Ann, Although from what I have seen with how well these have struck in the clay ball flood and drain bed I am not sure anything is needed. THis seems like the ideal way for an idiot like me to strike cuttings without having to remember to water them

[djs-sa]

Hamish rooting powder/gel also stop diesese entering the stem also some plants will work without rooting powder/gel others must use it because thier harder to strike

[Hamish]

Thanks for the advice. That makes sense why the honey would work - as a natural antibiotic.

[Jason Palenske]

I must be odd or just taught in an old school manner, we just slice them off and give them plenty of water. We the exception of the new seedlings all of my plants have been cutting just stuck in the gravel. Sometimes I think they're doing better than anything else.

Hey FF, may be interesting to see what one of those grapes can do without being stuck in the dirt.