Register  |   | 
 
Encanto Farms Nursery > Topics > Keeping my potted cuttings alive.?
 
 


Reply
  Author   Comment  
dezigner

Registered:
Posts: 32
Posted Reply with quote  #1 
Hi, need help with my potted cuttings, had 6, now down to 2 left. How do I keep them growing healthy indoors? The have leaves but have seem any progress in the growth of leaves. It's like they just stopped growth. I do know they have a good root system, because I saw them when I potted them.

I've attached pics.

The taller one have a leaf thats dying off. I hate to lose them.

If anyone can help I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thanks

Attached Images
jpeg fig1.jpg (63.10 KB, 50 views)
jpeg fig2.jpg (62.58 KB, 48 views)
nypd5229

Registered:
Posts: 1,903
Posted Reply with quote  #2 
It could be several factors:

Over watering

Not enough light (or too much light)

Shock from transplanting

Lack of humidity

I will be transplanting a Salem Dark in a few days and my concern is going from a humidity controlled environment ( Plastic tote box) to an area were the air is much drier.

I am thinking of using a humidifier to saturate the air a little more. The room  is small so that is possible.

The experts may be able to weigh in with more intelligence.

__________
Dominick
Zone 6a-MA
__________________
Dominick
Zone 6a-MA
OttawanZ5

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 2,551
Posted Reply with quote  #3 
You did not say how long these two plants have been in these pots without humidity enclosure. If it has been about 10 days in the pots like the way they are then there is great chance that they will survive as long as you don't overwater and keep them in lighted area but better not in direct sunlight until you are sure the roots can support the leaves system. Don't water until it feels dry because the top may feel dry but there may be enough moisture in the lower part of the soil.

Many times the plant go into growth stagnation with no visible reason i.e. no new appearing but it is possible the plant may be doing its survival balancing act. But probably that was not the case with four of my plants rooted last spring. After re-potting in 1/2 gallon pats in spring with 3 or 4 leaves, these plants stayed with these number of leaves until fall. I brought them inside instead of letting them go dormant. One of the four died in January and the other 3 have one leaf less than I had brought them with inside. They are surviving but not growing and my new rooting cutting look bigger than these on year oldies. I may zap them with good doze of fertilizer in late spring when taken out.
__________________
Ottawan-Z5a, Canada
satellitehead

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 3,687
Posted Reply with quote  #4 

Soil is really dark.  My first guess would be overwatering, but I think everyone before this post said it all.
__________________
Jason
Atlanta/Grant Park area - z8
71GTO

Registered:
Posts: 1,002
Posted Reply with quote  #5 
How big of a factor is light at this point? I think I have noticed the growth slowing and a few cuttings are dropping leaves or they are looking a little light or splotchy. I even lost one the other day. The ones that seem to be baving an issue are cuttings I potted after I learned the over watering lesson.
__________________
NJ z7a

Wish list :
satellitehead

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 3,687
Posted Reply with quote  #6 
I forgot to ask:

Is there any fertilizer in your potting mix, many come with slow release fertilizer?

Are you using a fertilizer regimen this soon?

I have seen this behavior from delayed rot and fertilizer in addition to everything above.

__________________
Jason
Atlanta/Grant Park area - z8
71GTO

Registered:
Posts: 1,002
Posted Reply with quote  #7 
Both the perlite and potting mix I used are mirical grow brand. I rearraged the pots today to get them closer to the windows.
__________________
NJ z7a

Wish list :
Foolishpleasure

Registered:
Posts: 6
Posted Reply with quote  #8 

Question to the experts. I have the same problem with two cuttings. I transplanted them in one Gallon pot. The medium is perlite and peat mos and Humus. I kept them under florescent lights with bright white light and no heat. The room has good humidity because it has Humidifier. The leaves fell down and died. The stem is still green and alive. Do I expect new leaves or eventually will go dry?
satellitehead

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 3,687
Posted Reply with quote  #9 
Humidifier in a room larger than 2'x2'x2' is worthless in my opinion.  It won't keep the room at a good, solid 60%-70% humidity+, which is what the plant will need to recuperate after you've damaged fragile roots on transplant.

I expect your cutting, while green now, may very well end up dessicating and dying, but I have seen some rebound from this condition.
__________________
Jason
Atlanta/Grant Park area - z8
nypd5229

Registered:
Posts: 1,903
Posted Reply with quote  #10 
I have transferred 2 cuttings from 16 oz cups to 1 gallon pots with no problems after 5 days.

Salem Dark
Unk Texas (Cathy- Texascockatoos-Possibly EBT)

Went from 70/30 perlite/ seed starter mix to 50/50 perlite/ BM-1 ( Agway answer to Pro-mix)

I used a humidifier for 2 full days and gradually eliminated it over the next 3 days. I misted the leaves constantly. The containers they came from were always between 90 and 100% humidity. The humidity in the room now is about a constant 55%.

I treated the soil mix the same way as the cuttings- enough water to form a stiff ball  with no water dripping out.

Temp is about 68-70 and the light enters from a north facing window- so no direct heat.

No weeping of leaves yet and leaves have actually grown larger. New nodes appear to be forming.

Only leaf that appears to be ready to fall off is the first leave that broke from the node.

Salem Dark- 5 days ago



Today (EBT in Background)




Notice the growth on the last leave to emerge.

In my opinion, the gradual reduction of overall humidity and misting has contributed to the successful transition to a drier climate.

Although it is early to say this is a complete success, I am encouraged by the signs I see- Growth, lack of wilting, and richness of green coloring in stems/leaves.

After a few weeks, I will transfer these to a south facing room to introduce a little more light and heat.
___________
Dominick
Zone 6a-MA
__________________
Dominick
Zone 6a-MA
Previous Topic | Next Topic
Print
Reply