These are Black Mission NL cuttings, in two bags in the shade of a northeast corner because there wasn't room in the frig. They have been outside for 3 months in 40F weather and 85F weather, and rained on.
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When I opened them yesterday, they looked like this (first bag).









I didn't control temp or moisture, other than some initial damp paper on the top of the pile, and tying the bag shut (it does have some holes). The cuttings closer to the top and the moist paper rooted the most. The more interesting thing is than almost every cutting showing roots, and esp. the ones with good root development were upside down. I mentioned this last year, but this year seems to reinforce that observation. It may be advantageous to store the cuttings vertically in the frig and upside down.

I potted up almost 60 cuttings today from these two bags of cuttings. Put in more wet paper, and we'll see what happens next.

This is really a no work method. Congrats.

Jon,

I believe the 'Black Mission' cuttings you sent me were from the same tree.  They were my easiest rooters this year. 

~james

Very interesting that the upside down cuttings seemed to root best! Any idea as to why that would be the case? Maybe because of increased warmth from being closer to the top of the bag?

Interesting, funny how you are able to root cuttings even when not trying in paradise.

James, These cuttings have always been very difficult to root - one variety which I have really fought with.

The upside down thing may actually be an old practice. I am sure that I have seen references to cuttings of all kids of plants being buried for the winter, and then used for Spring rooting, and that they were buried in the upside down position. It may have something to do with changing the nutrient and energy flow in the cutting from bud growth to rooting, by making it "think" the bottom is the top, and the flow that would have gone to breaking dormancy and making new leaves, twigs and flowers, goes to the opposite end, which means roots. I don't know. I experimented with a few twigs last season, but it was inconclusive.

Thanks for sharing this info Jon.
Will try the upside down method next season, Proof is in the picture!

Thanks for posting this Jon. I've been wanting to try the upside down method myself. Can't wait to try it.