I put a branch in the ground and forgot about it and it rooted. I didn't even water it. They are hardier than we give them credit for.

tammy,

What I observed when I dumped the plants in Photo #1 is that the bottom of the cup was quite wet. I surmise that the root system "drowned" and never developed properly. In any event, folks should not try to root Suckers in Potting Mix only.

Raybo

Perlite does work some nice wonders, eh? =) Part of the main mix I use.

tn,

I am now running 27 "experiments" with Perlite, in combination with Cactus Mix, Turface, Bark fines, Redwood Compost, etc. I'll be posting my results later on. Perlite is an absolute requirement in SWC growing, in my opinion.

Raybo

tomato roots needs oxygen

the perlite is helping give them that

another suggestion I have based on the first picture is to leave fewer leaves when trying to root cuttings. more leaves equals a large leaf surface area. not only is that more plant to support but also more surface area to respire (use up energy) and give off water through the stomates.

Once the the roots catch up the plant will quickly grow more needed leaves.

mulio,

Never thought of that. Will "trim" suckers in the future to just the minimum of foliage. Great tip!!!

Raybo

Good tips mulio.

Raybo, any new pics?

I use a good deal of perlite in my Earthboxes. All my seedlings were successful and the wicking was perfect. For my broken branches I didnt have success just putting them in the box which is a mix of perlite and potting mix. What worked for me was 3 days in water with a drop of liquid fertlizer and a spoon of liquid compost. Roots grew quickly and then I stuck them into the box. I don't know if my babies will produce but they are growing strong now. Just put them in too late in the season

"What I observed when I dumped the plants in Photo #1 is that the bottom of the cup was quite wet. I surmise that the root system "drowned" and never developed properly. In any event, folks should not try to root Suckers in Potting Mix only."

Some drainage holes in the bottom of the cup would have been wise. I've rooted without hormone helpers in straight potting soil and never lost one yet. I use ProMix BMX

probably not so much with tomatoes but plants can have fluoride toxicity problems from growing in too much or straight perlite.

Raybo: I agree! Let us know your results. =)

Straight tap water in shade until I see roots begin to develop, then moist ground.

I've had 90%+ success rate doing this for my own use. Of course, if I were to sell seedlings, I'd pot 'em up.

Professional grower suppliers typically sell a 4 cubic ft. bag of perlite for around $15. Menards and Home Depot only sell 8 quart (0.27 cubic ft.) bags of Miracle Gro perlite for about $4. That's 4 times the price!

And, yet, Menards and Home Depot have about a dozen different brands of play sand in 50 lb. bags. Imagine a toddler in a sand box crying, "Wah, Wah, this isn't Acme Play Sand!"

Where would I Look to get that bulk perlite?

struw,

I purchased my first 3.5 cu. ft. bag of Perlite at Home Depot in San Jose ($23.77). Look for it next to the Fertilizer display.

Subsequently, I found 2 cu. ft. bags ($11.00) at Summer Winds Nursery. Any decent full service nursery should carry it (or order it for you).

{{gwi:23070}}

Raybo

Raybo - I only use seed starting mix for rooting suckers, but will likely mix my own from now on. No rooting hormone is used, and my plants did well. Through my local CO-OP, I can get the 4cu. ft. bags of perlite for $13.99, but it has to be ordered.

Bigdaddy - Pro-mix BX, eh? I made my own this year from the bulk ingredients, and it worked great in the earthtainers.

EG

Hey EG,

Glad you have your ears on!

I am going to post a new thread in a day or two, when I have finished setting in my 27 SWC mix combination trials. I'll appreciate your recommendations and collaboration to optimize the best mix for EarthTainer use.

Raybo

If you are in California you can get the 3.5 cu ft bag at OSH for about $16. Best deal around.

I buy my perlite from a local outlet of

bfgsupply.com

about 30 miles from where I live. Apparently you can order online but I never have.

Here are their soil products:

http://bfgsupply.com/UserFiles/2008Catalog/5_Soil.pdf

But, peat moss is cheapest at Menards.

raybo - I will be glad to join in, as I'm sure you're aware of my extensive testing with homemade "ProMix BX" and effective surface area of the wicking basket. Collectively, we can share our thoughts and experiences to have a better understanding of the wicking properties/capabilities.

EG

hi raybo,

i have been growing sweet peppers,bush beans in your earth-
tainers with a mix of 3/4 parts on kellogs catus mix and
1/4 m.g. potting mix (regular) the plants are doing very
very good the mix must be just about right.

if you are serious about cloneing with close to 100 percent
clones in 5 to 10 days try botanicare clones machines the are aerophonic cloners, they make many different sizes
from 8 to 564 sites prices start at $ 85.00 and go up from there.
hope this helps you ray.

les matzek