Good Topic, Mike. We all have learned that not all Brugs are created equal! Some are easier to root than others. I would be VERY interested in hearing from other Bruggers which Brugs seem to do well in water and which like to go into soil right away. I've lost so many cuttings this year, and aside from feeling bad about losing the little guys, it's getting expensive to try to keep replacing them. Hope you all join in. Really want to hear opinions and experiences. Gloria

Gloria & Mike , As you have read, I am in the same boat. I just hate seeing them die. I am already back on ebay looking. Seems like the ones I have in water are doing so much better than the ones in soil. I think from here on out it is water for me. You know, I was thinking it could be the water. I use my household water, it from an artesian well. My problem was after reading on here, I felt like I need to put them in soil. My conclusion is...I still am not sure what to do !!!

I root all mine initially in water. I am careful about how much water I put in the glass, temperature, and changing it. I feel I can control the rooting process better this way. I use my reg. tap water :) I used to use the reverse osmosis that we have but then had prob. with chlorosis so just went to the reg. water and haven't had any problems.

There is a difference in rooting green, wood, and semi-wood cuttings. I start all in water but wood usually comes out much quicker sometimes in a few days even- because they just root faster. Semi- wood are my favorite to root. Green ones that start dropping I put into humid enviornment and then have to wean out and that can be a PIA! But sometimes they are worth it :)

I don't use a bubbler because I don't need to keep brugs in water that long because the winters are not that long here so I can't comment on using them.

There is also a difference in cultivars. I notice that the ones that have a really smooth bark (not many bumps) take longer to root even if they are semi-woody/wood.

Once a cutting has a few roots that are 1/2 long at least then they go into potting soil mixed with plenty of perlite. It will be a fairly small container, goes under lights-no cold drafts etc. I keep whatever foilage misted but try not to get the stem too wet especially if it is woody. Water then let go a little dry on top before watering again.

In all I think you need to try a lot of diff ways and see what works for you in your particular enviornment. I have noticed there is a huge difference in rooting and growing in different areas that I have lived in. Humidity seems to play a huge role too.

I start all of mine in water I change the water every other day.. MY ZEN time...LOL..Like SJN once they get a few roots I pot them up.. I have to hold mine much longer than her.. Today is the first day I have had to water any of the cutting I have potted.. I check daily and when leaves show signs of drooping I water..the area is humid ..I mist daily (with ST and water) and there are 2 BOB's in the room..I have lost a few...
BTW SJN.. Meadow Princes is beautiful.. Just made it to the top of my wish list..LOL I can't thank you enough...
Chena

sibhskylvr, remember you are asking gardeners here and will get many answers due to their experiences.

Here we are soil folks, usually by the time a cutting arrives if packaged right the nubs will have started so they then can do directly into soil. Most can be started in a little water until the nubs show for those that are newbies and then go directly into soil. We have found the longer you have them in water the root system isn't that great for the plant. You want those soil roots that are a lot stronger than the water ones. All doubles, triples (fuzzier leafed), Sangs, Culebra and Arborea and variegations one should be started in soil.