What Not to Do w Large Cuttings

6 years ago

I am posting this bc I made some errors and perhaps others can learn.

If you ever need to prop up a large cutting, don't use string, as I did. As you can see in the picture (sorry it's sideways), it stretches and your cutting will end up moving around some. A better plan would have been to use two sticks, one on each side of the cutting, with the sticks tied to the cage at the ends. And then I could have used string to attach the cutting to the sticks in the middle, if needed. That way you could still untie easily to adjust if you need to, but the rest of the time, your cutting would be more stable. And there could be two levels of sticks, too.

Second, and maybe worse ... I didn't think through the drainage. As it is, I have to pick it all up - not much, but some - to get the saucer out, which is also jostling my cutting. I guess I could have put the whole thing on dirt, and then I wouldn't have to worry about it. I am sure there is a better way to do this. When I did it, I thought I wouldn't have to water it much, but then I got nervous and I water it about once a week.

I am not sure if this is going to work, so wish me luck. As you can see, I didn't wash the Napa enough - although I did it a bunch of times, and come to think of it, I wonder if I have the right kind? - but, there are two little shoots. Perhaps all is not yet lost! (Plus there were a couple other little bits from the plant, which I have in water, and one of those is going great guns.)

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Comments (5)

floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
6 years ago
It's to good to learn from one's mistakes but the best advice in future would be not to try to propagate overlarge cuttings. You'd do better to stick with the recommended 6 to 8 inches. Maybe a foot for hardwood cuttings of easy subjects outdoors. Smaller cuttings also give you more new plants. The piece you have there could have been cut up and would have given you 4 or 5 opportunities to make a new plant. What is it? A fig?
Need2SeeGreen 10 (SoCal) thanked floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
tropicofcancer (6b SW-PA)
6 years ago
A far better way to secure a cutting which will never move is to use guy wires. A stick in the pot will move too unless it is quite deep. You want cutting to be immobile with respect to the pot and so best is to use the pot itself. Eg:

You need two wires/twines attached at opposite corners of the pot. You start with tying the twine through a hole in one corner, wrap around the cutting while holding it steady and keep it taut. Then tie rest of the twine to the opposite corner. You have to keep this really taut. Do the same with the other twine using the the other two corners. This cutting is not going anywhere.

The same method can be used to secure any plant. Say after a repot you find the plant is unstable may be because there are not enough roots yet. In the above case I used twine since I know that after it has sufficient roots I do not need the twine. For longer term needs one can use thing gauge wires (steel, copper, aluminium).

Floral is right. You are better off keeping the cuttings short. Remember the cutting is still absorbing water to keep itself hydrated. But there are no roots yet and it is not quite as capable to push water up. With a tall cutting the top may actually die due to lack of water. Or you have to keep it in a high humidity enclosure. Which is good idea anyway to hasten the process of rooting.
Need2SeeGreen 10 (SoCal) thanked tropicofcancer (6b SW-PA)
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Need2SeeGreen 10 (SoCal)
Original Author
6 years ago
Floral - yes, good guess - it is an F. religiosa, which a squirrel severely chewed, and it broke in half. You are probably right, I should have cut it up more.

Tropicofcancer: thanks! That is a very nifty way to tie a plant in. My guess is that I will end up cutting most of the top off in the end. I have no excuse, just plant height loss aversion. (I also forgot the whole problem with gravity.) The green layer was really quite bright when I trimmed it for the sticking. And I should have tented it, I could have used a dry cleaning bag.
Need2SeeGreen 10 (SoCal)
Original Author
6 years ago
I wonder if, had I more skill, I could have grafted the top and bottom back together? That didn't even occur to me.
tropicofcancer (6b SW-PA)
6 years ago
Or you could start several cuttings in a bundle. If all take they will grow and fuse together (in a year or two). Ficus can grow pretty fast in a single season that they will start to fuse.