Dyeable. 

While lamenting how hard it is to see roots against perlite and how difficult it is to keep track of the cuttings that have rooted in a bin with close to 80 sleeves in it, I  had a light bulb moment... a couple of drops of food coloring in the water and viola... colored Perlite.  The blue ones have rooted, the others do not have visible roots

     
I do not know how stable the color is.  I suppose I will find out in the near future.  If all goes well, I might use food coloring on all of the for easy root spotting then color them black (I've never seen black food coloring before, but apparently we have it) when they root.

BTW... the purple tint on the perlite around the cuttings is Clonex.

Brilliant and simple.

James that is a great idea and soon many will be doing that on the forum for sure.
Very smart of you Sir .

I love it. You could add ambience to your grow room.

Brilliant!

Good you are using perlite...how about a heat mat and lighting?

Now that's a smart idea! : )

Hmmm, wonder if the figs will turn blue? ; )  Remember the old science experiment in elementary school using blue food coloring in water to turn celery blue.

I do not have a dedicated space in the house for rooting cuttings. I had planned to put the bin over a register for some bottom heat, but I maintain temps between 65-75F under normal conditions. I pushed a probe thermometer into the perlite and found the temp pretty consistent at 68F. If I prop up one side of the lid with a half inch pipe, I maintain temp while keeping the humidity at 70-77% range (my thermometer/hygrometer displays 24 hour high and low). The bin is in a two story room with a lot of bright, indirect light during the day.

 

James you'd better watch it or you might be getting some figs the color of TyTy's figs, ha. Oh, by the way, great idea.
"gene"

Gene,

I had thought about that.  In kindergarten we made rhubarb out of celery (not really) by putting the stalks in red food coloring.  Maybe I will be able to trick Martin into eating a place face.

great idea! i have some blue, red and green food dyes from my kids' science project. i need to use them : ) 

Pete,

The food coloring I found in the kitchen was "gel" coloring for frosting.  I'm not sure what makes it a gel as it looks just like regular food coloring, but this kit has "black" in it.  Shhh, don't tell Martin.

Great idea. I will try that and who bought figs from Ty Ty ? I live near there!

Good job James...