When to check for roots

[milehigh_7]

The cuttings are in the tray, the heating mat is under tray, the light is on. Now most of the cuttings are starting to push leaves.


The question is, when should I think about checking for roots?

 

[pjkatich]

Milehigh,

That depends on what type of tree you are trying to grow from these cuttings, how long ago were they struck, and is this a good time to replant them in your location?

Paul

 

[Greg Brenden]

When you see roots growing out of the drainholes in your tray, it is time to separate them each to their own pot.

 

[milehigh_7]

Milehigh,

That depends on what type of tree you are trying to grow from these cuttings, how long ago were they struck, and is this a good time to replant them in your location?

Paul

Thanks guys. I am pretty sure I did near everything wrong. As they were hardwood cuttings and I did not even have any IBA just Root tone.

I just stuck cuttings from pruning in my propagator. I have some Dwarf Pomegranate, Vitex, Crape Myrtle, Olive, and Chaenomeles. All are pushing new leaves after one week.

 

[pjkatich]

I just stuck cuttings from pruning in my propagator. I have some Dwarf Pomegranate, Vitex, Crape Myrtle, Olive, and Chaenomeles. All are pushing new leaves after one week.

Milehigh,

To early for a root check. I would not disturb any of them at this point. Chances are, very few if any of your cuttings have developed any new roots. If any have, they will be extremely brittle and easily damaged at this early stage of development.

The growth you are seeing is most likely being pushed by the propagator. The latent buds that sprouted are using what energy was stored in the hardwood to elongate.

Is your propagator enclosed? If not, you will need to cover the cuttings with a tent of clear plastic to keep the humidity up. Dehydration is your biggest threat at this stage.

Regards,
Paul

 

[milehigh_7]

Paul, Thanks again for the reply. Yep I have a lid on it and it seems to be hydrated enough. I will keep an eye on that.

 

[milehigh_7]

Well the Poms and the Vitex are going well. 100% strike on them. Only about 30% of Quince and Crape Myrtle hangin in. To soon to tell on the Olea as I read they take about 45 days to start pushing roots.

I look forward to doing it "by the book" next round of cuttings.

 

[Vance Wood]

Thanks guys. I am pretty sure I did near everything wrong. As they were hardwood cuttings and I did not even have any IBA just Root tone.

I just stuck cuttings from pruning in my propagator. I have some Dwarf Pomegranate, Vitex, Crape Myrtle, Olive, and Chaenomeles. All are pushing new leaves after one week.

Most of what you are trying to grow take from cuttings fairly easily without rooting hormone, you should have good success. If you have leaves starting to emerge and they continue to grow and elongate you have probably been successful. If they start to wither at some point in the next couple of weeks you probably did not. However, checking for roots by manually removing them from the soil could destroy those that have formed. Roots from cuttings tend to be fragile in the beginning and easily broken off.