I'm very curious about answers to this too Lou. I was thinking about doing the same thing with some cuttings. I can't imagine why it wouldn't work pretty well. Down here in the deep South I'm able to root in the spring by just putting cuttings in soil and setting them outside in the shade (we have the humidity for it). However, the potting soil I used this year was too "heavy", and I'm considering using a peat/perlite mix for this method next spring. Like you I'd also like to know what others think about using this mix for winter rooting (as you described).

Henry

For one thing I know peat is very acidic,I think Ph 4.7.
Also pit does not have any nutrients in it ,and by itself.
So at least a small amount of Fast disolving powder limestone need to be added to Bring the pit moss to 7,neutral.
As for the nutrients I do not know if it needs any because roots will develope faster when lack of nutrients in the soil.May Be Doctor Tapla will Chime in on this one,for a better answer.
Best Regards

Great point with the acidity V. The sterility? of the peat was one of the reasons I thought it might be good for rooting cuttings. I was thinking this trait might help ward off mold.

I have read here on the forum of people rooting cuttings in sand, so sterility is not an issue.
Lou, What type of peat? Is it the dark, bog peat or the fluffy sphagnum peat? I use the sphagnum peat all the time to root airlayered plants, have no experience with the bog peat. Herman has a good point about the acidity..
If you try it, let the rest of us know.

I have successfully used Gene's 'hot-dog' method with
those little 'water-expandable seed peat-pellets' which
are made of compressed dark bog-peat (I think - certainly
not of the gray/fluffy stuff), to air-layer some 'thin' fig twigs.

Sorry for the long sentence...

I have used 50% UPM and 50% Pearlite mixed and just buried the cuttings in the mixture and stuck it in a sunny spot. They all rooted.

WOW thank you people for all your input. Elder it's the dark peat used for mulching. It's not stringy like the spagum moss used fro air layering.

I can add a little lime to the mix if you think that would help. Jose what is the UPM compose of? I know a nursery near my son's home that stocks that. I saw it there looking for tuface. I don't have that many cuttings to start so maybe I'll give it a try.

Have any of you or do any of you use the heat mats (rubber coated) for starting seeds? Do they work and is it necessary to purchase a variable thermostat for 34 bucks extra to use with the heating pad. I always used our heating pad the type used for sore muscles and other aliments.

Thanks
Lou

Lou,
In the summer I have used 1 part peat moss and 1 part perlite to root my greenwood cuttings, then I cover them with a plastic bag to increase humidity. I had great success. Rooting hardwood cuttings in winter I use about 1 part peat moss and 3 part perlite. Perlite helps with the drianage. I use rooting hormone, and a heating pad as well.

Bass