Tim, I used a mix of half pumice and half Schultz CSC. I made the cuttings when the new growth was long, as per Kennedy's book, "The Floral Treasures of Japan". Is that the book you have? If not, Stone Lantern has it dirt cheap. What varieties did you get?
Take care,
zube

Hi, Tim:

I have recently been in contact with Jim Trumbly. He is a satsuki expert and a member of a California Satuski Society. You can contact him at jtrumbly@quiknet.com
Hope this helps....By the way, if you ever run across a good source for mature shohin satsuki, please let me know - I am aware they are very pricey - just curious to see what is out there. Thanks.

Continued regards,
Tom Simonyi

Tim,

Where you take the cuttings can be very important in satsuki propagation. More on that below. I take flat cut cuttings after the new growth has firmed up--usually about May here. All but a few leaves at the top are removed. Cuttings are soaked in water with a touch of sugar added for 10 or so minutes (the sugar may be an 'Old Wives Tale', but I use it!). Cuttings are then touched into Rootone or Hormex. I use pearlite as the planting medium...peat moss can be added. Cuttings are protected from wind, given shade and misted frequently. I 'stick' cuttings straight up, not slanted. Rooted cuttings are potted-up in mid September or so and protect during the winter.

Hopefully your satsuki book will go into this aspect of taking cuttings...
On single flower color satsuki it does not make any difference where the cutting is taken. The cutting will be 'true' in flower color to the mother plant. It's a different story on multi-color satsuki. If you want the cutting to be 'true' in flower colors/patterns to the mother plant, cuttings must be taken at locations dictated by the color pattern of the mother trees flowers. As I said, hopefully your book goes into this. It can get complicated.

Good luck,
TerryW

Zube Tom and Terry,

Thanks for the good info. I do have Kennedy's book. Very good. Just wanted to hear from some local growers.

Thanks,
Tim

Zube,
The types are:
Chojuho, Minato, Kaho No Hikari, Meoto Kagami, Azuma Kagami, Seiran, Matsu No Homare, Haru No Suno, Kinpo Nishiki and Kimi Maru.

Tim, I was just curious. I don't have any of those. Some that I really like are Komei, Kobai, Nikko, Yachiyo Red, Shinkyo, Nachi-No-Tsuki, and Karenko. MiniPlant Kingdom in California has a big assortment of young plants for reasonable prices. Perhaps you've already been there.
Take care,
zube