Hi and pretty new to this. Thanks to two generous forum members I have a few cuttings in spagham moss for about two weeks. Some have root initials and a few also have very small white roots about half inch long but very brittle. They also have green leaves sprouting but I know leaves do not mean rooting success. Do you think these are ready to put into 32 oz cups? If so what should I put in cup and place in a plastic box with high humidity? Should I pot up with course perlite, pro mix bx, co co coir or a mixture? Every time I read a new post on rooting mediums I run out and buy a new product so my garage is srarting to look like a nursury garden center. Thanks very much for the advice.

Barry

Hi Barry, welcome to the forum. So far I have had pretty good success using a coco coir/ perlite mix (75/25). I hydrated the coir bricks with a very weak fertilizer solution. Good luck and am sure more options will follow. Have a little fun and find the one that works best for you.

Hi Barry!

I remember being in the same position as you a few years ago: It was a terrible experience for me. There are so many  ways, opinions and suggestions that people can give you. I can tell you that the best thing that worked for me was experimenting with all the various things until I got something that worked well for me, under my conditions (at home, where I was growing) and with the materials that were accessible to me.

This is what I do:

1) First I wash my cuttings in a solution of water and chlorine @ 10:1 ratio to kill most mold spores. I then rinse with reg. water and quickly move to next step.

2) Then, I place my cuttings in slightly moist Peat Moss (in ziplock bag to trap moisture) and place in a dark bag for a couple weeks (checking for roots to sprout) in a warm place (I keep them in them in my furnace room in my basement).

3) (I think you are currently in this step) -Then I place in 16 Oz. Clear Cup with 50% Peat Moss with 50% Perlite.

4) when roots look well, and have established well in the 16 Oz. cups (depends on plant progress, this could be 2-5 weeks), I place them in 32 Oz clear cups without disturbing roots into a 60% Perlite and 40% potting soil mix (here you may sterilize the soil before hand -I used to do this, but I no longer do so-).

5) I maintain good humidity levels and nourish the little guys for a few more weeks until I slowly introduce them into the big bad world.  After 4-6 weeks they go into a pot with 90% soil and 10% perlite.


Hope this helps.

Buena Suerte y adios!

Barry, hope this helps.

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/spring-is-here-7332279

Some people suffer from fungus gnats. They most likely come in with various potting soils. I've never seen one with my mix.

I tend to cup them up as soon as I see small roots, 1/4" or longer.  When they get longer in sphagnum they are difficult to separate without breaking the roots.  

Also I am a believer in getting any that start leaves into cups and under grow lights.  I use an inverted clear cup to keep humidity high.  

1/2" roots are not mature enough to handle soil without a lot of air.  I'd go to mostly perlite and maybe 5-10% peat moss.  Cut away as much of the moss as possible - it holds enough water to drown a baby root.