This is after 25 days.  I potted one Salce cutting w/Clonex on 5 days ago with more root volume than the cube on the left.

• Showing roots through cubes = 6/15 without Clonex and 20/35 with.  However, the cuttings with Clonex are showing at least 3X the root volume as those without.
• I have 11 cuttings (4 without / 7 with) which I expected (and do) have a problem with mold with.  Three (2/1) have been removed from the tray.  Eliminating those 11 from the numbers above = 4/11 without Clonex and 20/28 with.

Congrats. We appreciate your observations and report

Jenn

Thanks James, nice video. Beside nice roots I see another advantage of the cubes. Because of the way the root grow through the cube, it supports the roots and the breaking off of the fragile roots while moving to a larger cup or pot seems doubtful.
"gene"

Very instructive James...I will be setting up two root riot trays as soon as my UC Davis cuttings arrive...both trays that I purchased have sample clonex packets included...plus I also purchased a small bottle to keep on hand...thanks for the video.

I am impressed - they had roots on 2/21 before they were put in the cubes on 2/24. Guessing that was 1/24. ;-))

Well, Jon.  That is what I get for typing at midnight.  I put them in the cubes on 02/04 (corrected above).  Here is another comparison with Paradiso Nero. 

Interesting info thanks James.

Hi James, Do you think I might see good result without using the root riot cubes? I recently tested the clonex rooting compound gel but I placed some cuttings in rockwool cubes, straight perlite, and moss. I haven't seen any results yet, but what is your guess. Are the root riot cubes a must?

Two years ago I used a fiber type rooting cubes the problem I found was the material the cube was made from would not decompose fast enough and the cube retained water thus rotting off my new trees at the base.. Hope this is a different type of media cube. Mine were green colored spun fiber of some kind... I have been thinking hard trying to remember the name...  Just remembered ROCK WOOL did not work in the long run. Rooted cuttings fine but trees died later on..... Hope others had better success

Hank,  I think the benefit of the cube is two part.  First, as Gene mentioned, it makes potting up cuttings easier and with less risk of breaking roots.  Second, as compared to rooting cuttings in zip top bags filled with sphagnum moss, the cubes are easier, less messy, take up less space, and once rooted separate from the rest easier.  The benefits of a rooting hormone should be evident in any system you choose to use.

Al, I have the same concerns about these cubes.  The manufacture claim the cube is made from sphagnum moss and held together with a plant based glue and is fully degradable.  They also state the cube can go into any container mix or into the ground.  I think Rockwool was designed to be part of a hydroponic system where there is more control over moisture.  I have been giving water around the perimeter of the container to avoid saturating the root cube.

Thanks James.

So, are root riot cubes better for cuttings then rockwool cubes?   I've seen mixed reviews about rockwool that's why I ask.

What if I already have a cutting that already has roots, would dipping it in clonex harm or help the roots?

I wouldn't say one is better than the other, but they do seem different. 

The rooting hormones (IBA) helps speed up plant (not just root) growth.  I would guess that if you dip the existing roots in an IBA solution, they will grow faster.

Thanks James. I like to test out the different rooting agents. So far I've noticed more root output and bigger roots, after testing mykos and azos. I'm testing the clonex compound gel next. I'm also testing the clonex mist, its suppose to stimulate root growth through the leaves. We'll see.

James do you cover your cuttings with a dome for this? Because of this thread (thanks!) I ordered and received root riot cubes & clonex. I thought I saw a previous thread on these where the grower was not covering the cuttings. Can't find it though...

I did not buy the 7" dome. Rather, I have a Sterilite clear tote I use as a mini greenhouse. They can be seen in post #6. They cost less than the dome and have other uses when I am done rooting cuttings.

Hi Noss,

I think that is a synthetic fabric pot. They don't degrade, breath well, and fold flat like fabric when not filled with growing medium. Sorry to chime in, but I felt like the kid in class waving his raised hand excitedly.

James, please correct me if I'm wrong.

Search "fabric plant pots", some name brands are Smartpot, Rootpouch, Gropot...

Calvin is correct. That is the 1 gallon, Root Pouch brand with the 18-24 month life. I had several reasons for using them this year. I've only been using them for about two weeks. So far I am pleased with them, but I have noticed some potential issues. I'll give periodic updates on how they work out and make an overall assessment at the end of the year.

James how did the Clonex work on your bald spot? If that trial also proves as well as the cuttings (which look amazing, very nice work James) I'll give it a shot too!

I'm still working on a process for hair growth.  Perhaps, I'll take the clippings from my hair, dip them in Clonex and stick it to my head.  I'm open to ideas... maybe something along the line of a Chia wig.

So for an update on the Clonex vs. No Clonex cuttings...  I have just passed the 30 day mark.  I started out with 50 cuttings.  15 of them were not dipped in Clonex and had a similarly sized counterparts dipped in Clonex.  16 of them were just dipped in Clonex but did not have a counterpart and 4 were dipped in a rooting hormone (I do not know which) by my source.  In the group of 50 there were 14 cuttings (10 dipped, 4 not dipped) from a source that, in the past, from whom I have had problems rooting cuttings.  If I remove those from the equation, this is what my numbers look like.

Non-Dipped Cuttings: 11/9/2 (total/rooted/potted).  One other should have been potted, but I am sending as trade to a forum member.
Dipped Counterparts: 11/11/10 (total/rooted/potted).  The one not potted would have been had I not run out of materials for my growing mix.
Total Dipped: 26/23/20 (total/rooted/potted).  The three not potted would have been had I not run out of materials for my growing mix.

On average (roughly) the cuttings dipped in Clonex rooted about 8 days faster than their non-dipped counterparts.  Also, adjusting for the 8 days, the cuttings dipped in Clonex had substantially more roots. 

(as of two days ago) The non-dipped 'Salce' shown in Post#1 now has three small roots growing out of one side of the cube (sorry no pic).  I potted the other one on 03.02.2013.  As I mentioned in the first post, I had a third stick (dipped in Clonex) which I moved to an Air-Pot 5 days prior to starting this post (02/25).  This is what that one looked like on 03.05.2013 (32 days):