After receiving some cuttings from some very kind forum members here (thank you!)  I have been looking into, and absorbing all I can on rooting.  But one thing that I notice is that most people seem to root in the absence of light.

Given that roots don't need light, I understand that, but there are some cuttings that I have that have green tissue still.  This would (to my thinking) mean that they have chloroplasts and chlorophyll.  That should mean that light would provide extra energy for growth.

My question is this:  Does rooting occur faster, or more vigorously in the presence of light? 

I can't really find a thread on this topic. And i am looking into getting a flourescent system setup in my basement (just for figs!).

Any scientific or anecdotal examples would be great on rooting in light versus darkness.  Thanks!

I do my rooting under light or out of dirrect light. havent had any problems yet. i never had any luck doing the baggie method myself.

Roots love the dark.  I root mine in the dark.  And the roots are white, but the cutting sometimes puts out these pale yellow/white leafy shoots in the dark.  I put them in double cups with the pale shoots and leaves on top, making sure there are air holes in that top cup, and drainage in the bottom, and then the bottom gets wrapped in foil because roots love it in the dark.  When the pale shoots and leaves hit the light, they suddenly and gradually turn bright green!  It's a good thing!!

Suzi

to root, they need to have darkness. in cups when roots reach light they die back, unless you using lights for heat, you can put a black shield over the cuttings, you should be ok.. or under many layers of newspaper...

I have, and am doing both.  I have done it where i root them in the dark until I see buds opening and then put them under light, for me that was a great result, I am not rooting under light because I have the lights and that is the space for my cuttings, so far it is working well this way as well.

there is a thread that jon started few days ago. he is talking about similar thing. giving partial sun light to possibly promote better rooting process. my cuttings don't stay in total darkness, but at the same time, the amount of light they are getting doesn't amount to much. too things i notice are more important to rooting than light at initial stage. moisture control, and temp. too cold, it won't root. too hot, it will dry or rot depends on the moisture level. if the moisture is too much, it will rot or mold. too little moisture, the will dry out.

I do all my rooting in clear cups under grow lights with excellent results,
when I start to see roots l put the clear cup inside a color cup to keep the roots in the dark.
Good luck.
Vito

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