I have a question for all you out there with more experience than I have in rooting cuttings (that should be almost everyone reading this...).

I had a batch of cuttings ($$ on eBay) get completely covered in mold while in the moss bin/box. The question that I have is; what do I do with the moss after throwing the cuttings away?

a.)  Throw the moss away as well.
b.)  Spray the moss with some agent to kill the fungus, and let it dry. Then reuse it.
c.)  Just let the moss dry thoroughly, and then reuse it as is.

What would you do? I am worried about the mold being spawned on new cuttings by the moss.


CliffH.

Use new moss every time. I would also throw away the box:)

Hi CliffH,

Let me cut through all the rooting method madness and offer you this bit of advice: try Harvey's method of going straight to Promix HP or your own mix of peat and perlite.  It's very similar to Jon's as well.  It saves all the steps of dealing with fragile roots to pot up, no more mold, transplant shock, overwatering issues, no more humidity bins, nada...  

I tried every method! And, I have used the wax tape on ends also. What I like best is burrying the cutting completely. It just works best for me. I lost a few cuttings here & there but i learned what worked best for my climate, my schedule & my needs. Sometimes, its a matter of trial & error. Good luck to you!

Vertically or Horizontally and how Deep?

Hi,
This time of the year is probably the worst time to root cuttings (here in my Zone7 at least)... Unless you plan to keep them growing during the winter ( so start them in 1or2 gal / 4or8L pots ... ).
A cutting, rooting now, won't have the time to bud out and harden the wood and go dormant before the winter.
With the heat and rain then fresh, actual conditions are the best for mold ... especially in a closed container.
Once the moss gets the spores of the mold ... you should throw it away as all you'll be doing is feeding the mold.
If you want to give it a go, I would put the cuttings 3 weeks in a jar of water changing water every day or every other day, and then in loam in a pot or in ground. Bury 2/3 of the cuttings in the loam and insert them with an angle, never straight up.
Good luck !