My Mexican Orange tree (choisya ternata) died and these are the last cuttings I have. I really want it to live on in a way.
I’ve failed to grow roots by:
-placing longer cuttings (7”) in water about 3” deep. I left a few leaves at the top for all. Some outside where the original tree lived, and some inside on a prop warm mat.
-placing cuttings about 3” in a small prop box with humidity. No leaves.
All rotted and all only showed signs of new growth at the top instead of rooting. How can I get this last attempt to successfully grow roots?
My next thought would be prop box, no heat, no light. These cuttings were taken from the last surviving long cuttings which were beginning to rot at the bottom.
Please help. I have been ignored in other subs.
by tone-yo
10 Comments
Maybe water rooting isn’t the right way to go. Maybe try a 50/50 perlite and coconut coir mix, and allow the medium to dry out in between waterings (so not constantly wet). I’ve had a lot of terrible luck propping Pelargonium for similar reasons, but found a well draining medium to be more reliable. For some plants, it really is just a numbers game, so take more cuttings than you think you need.
not enough light. needs a fan to strengthen those skinny legs too.
Maybe perlite and zeolite or pumice. I’ve had success rooting nodes in just perlite with some plants too. No exp with this one tho.
Root hormone? In addition to other suggestions
yes, did you let it callus for a few days?
https://preview.redd.it/4uodl1wrjqwf1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=2ead93b6d4205379aecb900b1bc2a7504d912ffc
I just gave my friend some “root riot ” rooting plugs to try with a citrus that she had failed with over and over. It rooted in a week! Perlite is usually my go to but I bought a few plugs to try with hard to prop plants and seeds. It seems that it worked.
This is my procedure 5k ppm rooting hormone (talc) then 50% perlite and 20% peat 30% mulch, though I’m pretty sure u can do 100% mulch. If u live in a place with rain at least once a week no need for humidity dome. These were rooted in September and October of last year they’ve been transplanted. Success rate for me is usually around 80-100% both of these variety started with 5 cuttings.
https://preview.redd.it/3dtoz0wpnqwf1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=db2735fdaa23a6c62587013dbd9e874c298db3c5
if you want better success,
try using some hormone rooting powder.
Thank you, all of you! Even the lost guy telling me to use a fan to strengthen its skinny legs lol
I will leave these two cuttings callus overnight. In the morning I will assess whether to let them callus further. I will then apply more rooting hormone and plant them in a perlite-peat mix. I’ll be sure to let each dry before watering again. I’m hopeful at least one survives.
One last question. Any thoughts on placing them on top of the warm pad? Or will it negatively impact the cuttings? My plant area has been pretty cool lately with the weather turning. Most other babies I have propagated have had success on the warm pad if I make sure not to let them dry out too much.
Hmmm maybe 50/50 chance…I think they are a bit small cuttings…