This is my first time using sand, and I'm thirteen days in and already seeing roots on one of the RdB cuttings! I wasn't expecting to see them so soon as typically I don't see any until a good three to four weeks. But I also don't use a heat mat for them. I have wood heat and it stays pretty warm even with below zero temps outside, so I just slide my cutting totes under the bed and check on them every few days.
A vid idea for you, throw a hygrometer in the bins, track how many times a day you spray, and temp/rh over time. Could give people something to aim for. Just did my second wave, here’s hoping some progress in a few months!
Great content but what I'd love you to address is what to do with cuttings which were received with mould on them. How do we use & do to eliminate the mould before planting out in the substrate (sand, coco coir, Spagnum moss, etc)? Because it's actually quite common for cuttings wrapped in the damp paper towel to develop mould whilst they're intransit to the customer.
Yes, wash them in warm water with dish soap. Use a clean sponge to scrub them. We don’t ship our cuttings with paper towels. They are just fine without that moisture while shipping,
Citrus are not propagated best in this method, nor in rooting cuttings in general. They are typically grafted onto a preferred rootstock with much greater success.
If it takes so long that algae forms there’s bigger fish to fry. Mold however can be an issue. The best thing I can recommend is to wash the cuttings thoroughly with warm water, dish soap, and a clean sponge. Let them air dry before starting the same propagation method.
I really like the sand method but mold continues to be an issue despite my best efforts to sanitize. I scrub all my cuttings + bins with dish soap and do a H2O2 bath then let them dry out. I've tried 3 different types of sand (currently using pool filter sand) and mold eventually shows up. Misting them with H2O2 doesn't really stop it and cinnamon is hocus pocus. My plan for the next batch is to use bleach instead of H2O2 and see if it helps hold it off longer.
@PlantFanatics I use CloneX. I've used two different brands of play sand and pool filter sand (I have this because it's more coarse and I use it as a potting medium) - I suspect there is mold in my environment and when I open to mist the spores settle in. My plan next time is to try storing the bins in another location.
I've been trying my figs i bought 6 weeks ago and I haven't gotten any roots and they're starting to get spots of mold :/ are they dead at this point or is there a way to save them?
I’d have to see them to know. I’ve had figs take that long to root many times. If there’s no roots and mold then you can easily take them to the sink to give them a good wash with warm water and dish soap. Scratch the bark, if they’re green underneath, they are still alive. If not, they are most likely dead.
Unfortunately people spend more time complaining about their failures than solving the problems and trying again. No patience and no perseverance. Both necessary when starting something new.
Coco coir is an organic material, which makes it a much better environment for gnats to thrive. I’ve used the fig pop method plenty of times in the past, but honestly, I’m not a big fan. It’s pretty much the same as rooting in a container with soil-the only real difference is that the bags are enclosed.
It all comes to personal preference and the situation. Any of the methods can work well if executed properly. So I definitely respect where you’re coming from.
I let Mosquito Bits soak in a five gallon bucket of water for a couple of days, then use that mixture when my trees need water. It will not eliminate the gnats entirely. But it keeps the gnat population in check and reduces it. It's safe to use on edible plants. I did not lose a single tree last year.
I tried the sand method and I would recommend it. The rot issue really are reduced with this method!
I used this method to root not just figs but also pomegranate cuttings. Highly recommend following his advice and not overthinking it.
Thanks for sharing your success! Great job!
Thanks this method really works. One of the more effective ways to root cuttings.
Thank you so much for all your patience and dedication to helping people learn this very valuable skill!
I used coconut core last year with a lot of success, gonna try sand and coconut this year and see what i like better.
This is my first time using sand, and I'm thirteen days in and already seeing roots on one of the RdB cuttings! I wasn't expecting to see them so soon as typically I don't see any until a good three to four weeks. But I also don't use a heat mat for them. I have wood heat and it stays pretty warm even with below zero temps outside, so I just slide my cutting totes under the bed and check on them every few days.
I’m so glad to hear about your success! Love the passion and dedication. Great job!
A vid idea for you, throw a hygrometer in the bins, track how many times a day you spray, and temp/rh over time. Could give people something to aim for. Just did my second wave, here’s hoping some progress in a few months!
Yeah, I’m definitely gonna take a more scientific approach to help people out. Thanks for the idea! Merry Christmas!
Great content but what I'd love you to address is what to do with cuttings which were received with mould on them.
How do we use & do to eliminate the mould before planting out in the substrate (sand, coco coir, Spagnum moss, etc)? Because it's actually quite common for cuttings wrapped in the damp paper towel to develop mould whilst they're intransit to the customer.
Yes, wash them in warm water with dish soap. Use a clean sponge to scrub them. We don’t ship our cuttings with paper towels. They are just fine without that moisture while shipping,
@PlantFanatics ok so do you ship them in just the plastic bag? If you have mulberry cuttings I'll give yall a try.
I have Meyer lemons and satsuma fruit trees. Do think I can do the same to root?
Citrus are not propagated best in this method, nor in rooting cuttings in general. They are typically grafted onto a preferred rootstock with much greater success.
what about algae and mold, do you open the container for fresh air? I only do them in pots but takes too long due to lack of humility in winter.
If it takes so long that algae forms there’s bigger fish to fry. Mold however can be an issue. The best thing I can recommend is to wash the cuttings thoroughly with warm water, dish soap, and a clean sponge. Let them air dry before starting the same propagation method.
Do you have to use a grow light?
No you don’t, I have those lights which are grow lights, but I just use them as lights when I go in the garage. That’s why they’re on.
Thank you for the quick response and keep up the great work.
“We are NOT God”…so true. We’re so impatient. Great video. Cheers from Tulua, Colombia 🇨🇴
Thank you for the kind comment! Glad to hear from you!
I really like the sand method but mold continues to be an issue despite my best efforts to sanitize. I scrub all my cuttings + bins with dish soap and do a H2O2 bath then let them dry out. I've tried 3 different types of sand (currently using pool filter sand) and mold eventually shows up. Misting them with H2O2 doesn't really stop it and cinnamon is hocus pocus. My plan for the next batch is to use bleach instead of H2O2 and see if it helps hold it off longer.
Are you using a rooting hormone? Play sand?
@PlantFanatics I use CloneX. I've used two different brands of play sand and pool filter sand (I have this because it's more coarse and I use it as a potting medium) - I suspect there is mold in my environment and when I open to mist the spores settle in. My plan next time is to try storing the bins in another location.
I've been trying my figs i bought 6 weeks ago and I haven't gotten any roots and they're starting to get spots of mold :/ are they dead at this point or is there a way to save them?
I’d have to see them to know. I’ve had figs take that long to root many times. If there’s no roots and mold then you can easily take them to the sink to give them a good wash with warm water and dish soap. Scratch the bark, if they’re green underneath, they are still alive. If not, they are most likely dead.
👍👍
Dude started his own business propagating plants people. If you can't propagate a fig tree you're not doing it right.
Unfortunately people spend more time complaining about their failures than solving the problems and trying again. No patience and no perseverance. Both necessary when starting something new.
That…would be me😂
Haha, I doubt it!
Fungus gnats kills 99% of my cuttings. Sometimes I get green leafs and they just fall off the tree.
Yes, gnats will ravage cuttings. Very serious problem.
Use cococoir and perlite and figpop method, 100% cant get gnats.
Coco coir is an organic material, which makes it a much better environment for gnats to thrive. I’ve used the fig pop method plenty of times in the past, but honestly, I’m not a big fan. It’s pretty much the same as rooting in a container with soil-the only real difference is that the bags are enclosed.
It all comes to personal preference and the situation. Any of the methods can work well if executed properly. So I definitely respect where you’re coming from.
I let Mosquito Bits soak in a five gallon bucket of water for a couple of days, then use that mixture when my trees need water. It will not eliminate the gnats entirely. But it keeps the gnat population in check and reduces it. It's safe to use on edible plants. I did not lose a single tree last year.