Moldy Cuttings

18 years ago

What can I use to suppress the mold in a pot with new cuttings? I am just getting started at this cutting stuff, and can't remember what was used to prevent the mold when I got my starter directions! Perhaps a fungicide?

I have a multitude of cuttings in a bucket of sand, of which some ARE getting new leaves!! This is much better than I have ever done before with cuttings! However there are other stems which appear unhealthy, and lots of grey mold is growing under the large plastic bag. Hairy looking mold on some stems. Would spraying vinegar on the sandy soil, change the PH enough inside the bag, to make it inhospitable for the mold? Just letting everything dry out, by opening the bag cover, was another idea I had.

My cuttings instructor has gone on vacation, can't get any help from him. He is rather rough and ready, does lots of fruit trees and grafting of things. I think I was being too nice to the cuttings before! He roots his things in the sand, out in the barn, no extra heat. He said now is the best time for rooting, lots of growing hormones in the cuttings.

I also wondered how long I should keep the bag over the bucket, or open the bag part of the day, while leaving the bucket in the barn. Horses in the barn prevent temps getting below freezing. Perhaps the sprouts were getting too much moisture, staying bagged? How long before any roots are big enough to allow me to repot the cuttings? I think they have been in the sand bucket about 3 weeks.

I am very excited about these cuttings and want them to grow into real bushes. I bought the rose for my mother about 14 years ago, self-rooted antique from Smith and Hawkins. I am pretty sure it is Empress Josephine, but sure is not like other EJs I have purchased since. Bush has some flowers all summer after a spring burst. Lovely scent and form to the blooms. Tough bush, comes back each spring with little care beyond dead wood removal. Gets about 4ft tall. NO THORNS!! We all want one like it, but so far have been very unsuccessful with all efforts to multiply it. Going on about 6 years of effort now!

Thank you for any help. I am located near Lansing MI, weather is questionable. Cool 50Fs yesterday, upper 60Fs today.

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Comments (5)

object16
18 years ago
put in a thermometer, checks the temp. review george mander and cheryl netter's advice, that's how i do mine, with a few modifications. I use a humididome to start with, and the first week the vent is slightly cracked open, and i gradually open it all the way by 4 weeks, by which time they've generally rooted. some strains don't root well, and with some you just have to give up. also you could try layering, i've had good luck with layering, but again, so strains only put down lousy roots that can't handle the winter, so it's dicey. I find that for myself, i prefer david austin roses, they are reliable, hardy, and generally propagate well. just be sure to buy one that has expired the copyright (20 years).
collinw
18 years ago
Try putting a tbs of hydrogen peroxide in a 24 0z spray bottle full of water and spraying the mold. If it hasn't gone too far, that should kill it without hurting the cutting. If the cutting is turning black, then it is probably a goner.
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triple_b
18 years ago
another fighter of mold, or at least damping off fungus, is Chamomile Tea. I wonder....
object16
18 years ago
there is a canadian product called no-damp. i use it and its good. it comes in a liquid. you can order it from jons plant factory in b.c. online.

Here is a link that might be useful: jons plant factory buy no damp online
object16
18 years ago
I fill a medicine syringe that I get from the drug store with
10 ml. I put the concentrate undiluted no damp directly onto the medium. In my case I am using 4"peat pots filled with pro-mix, and I divide 10 ml. between 15 pots in one standard tray. the medium is already damp. and I add drops of no damp directly to it. it works well, and that is the most economical way of doing it.