Minimum temps for starting cuttings?

Author

Comment

ADelmanto

Registered:1359774201
Posts: 911

Posted 1384872205	Reply with quote #1

I do not have a lot of indoor space to start cuttings. I was wondering, what is the minimum temp that cuttings will tolerate and still root? I understand that ideally they like 70-80 deg. But I think I will need to start them on the back deck. I will be trying the root riot for the first time, and they will go into large clear Tupperware containers for humidity (humidity dome). If temps get below freezing I can bring them in at night but what is a safe temp to leave them outside? I plan on starting them in mid march, so that by mid April I can transfer them into containers. By that time temps are a little more consistent and I could cover with plastic (hoop house) if I need to. What temp is safe to leave them outside? __________________ https://www.facebook.com/From-The-Ground-Up-403313193085649/

DallasFigs

Registered:1358877623
Posts: 990

Posted 1384877576	Reply with quote #2

I'm not exactly sure, but I know that at 60 degrees they take much longer to root than at 70 degrees. As far as rooting, it doesn't take a lot of space. I put mine in a cabinet beneath a bathroom sink. Temp averages about 72 degs and it's nice and dark. Of course, once they are potted up, then they start taking up space. __________________ James - Irving, TX - Zone: 8a Follow me on EBay Wish List: 187-25 · Ice Crystal · Maltese Beauty · Maltese Falcon

Grasa

Registered:1347083219
Posts: 1,819

Posted 1384878134	Reply with quote #3

Have you consider a heating mat or coil? We all have lost so many good cuttings, your best choice is to put them away for the winter in refrigerator...or for the sake of experimenting, you can put some in moss in box /bag with some air, tuck inside of a black garbage bag and put next to a compost pile, or cover the bag wih leaves, and leave i alone... you may have a luck that we others don't. __________________ Grasa Seattle, WA

ADelmanto

Registered:1359774201
Posts: 911

Posted 1384891013	Reply with quote #4

The plan is to either wait till march to get cuttings or store in crisper until march. I have a heating mat but managed to cook 200 cuttings last winter so I'm a little hesitant to do that again. I suppose that I could put them on the porch suspended over the heating mat by a couple 2x4's. If 60 deg is the magic number I'll toss a wireless thermostat in one of the bins to keep track. If it got down to 40 deg or so would they rot, or would they just do nothing until they warmed up? __________________ https://www.facebook.com/From-The-Ground-Up-403313193085649/

Grasa

Registered:1347083219
Posts: 1,819

Posted 1384923914	Reply with quote #5

if you have them on the porch, throw a blanket over. I don't think they will rot, but they might. __________________ Grasa Seattle, WA

hblta

Registered:1277578212
Posts: 711

Posted 1384944409	Reply with quote #6

I think rooting cuttings is on one level a race against time. the race is to get roots before the cuttings rot. mold is everywhere, ready to start the process of decomposition. so best to have ideal rooting conditions as far as temp goes, to give the cuttings their best chance. __________________ ************* Grant Kitchener Ontario Canada Z5b

FiggyFrank

Registered:1347560723
Posts: 2,713

Posted 1384955900	Reply with quote #7

Very much agree, Grant. The best results will be with a consistent room temp. Even if it's 60, they will root, but you don't want fluctuating temps of hot/cold, as this will encourage mold faster. __________________ Frank zone 7a - VA

ADelmanto

Registered:1359774201
Posts: 911

Posted 1384958225	Reply with quote #8

Ok. I think I've got a plan. I'll start to root them in Root Riot cubes in the closet with no light in late March. When I get roots I'll be able to transition them outside with hopefully no weather issues, mid to late April. It's 2-3 weeks later than I'd like but It's a balance of risk vs reward. I have very limited space inside and you gotta do whatcha gotta do. I'm jealous of all of you with grow light set-ups. Maybe someday. Thanks for the help. __________________ https://www.facebook.com/From-The-Ground-Up-403313193085649/

bullet08

Registered:1284496248
Posts: 6,920

Posted 1384961965	Reply with quote #9

it is race against time. that's why winter rooting can cause some issues. root in spring, and less issue. once root is good, leave them outside with night temp low as 50. anything lower than that will not help much. leave the cuttings on top of re fridge. or in washing room. or near water heater. somewhere the temp will be 70 or higher. when i used to brew beer during the summer, i would sit the carboy on the top of AC vent. keep the carboy at constant 70 or so with cardboard cover. put the humidity bin near the air vent during the winter will do similar thing. __________________ Pete Durham, NC Zone 7b "don't talk to me about naval tradition. It's nothing but rum, sodomy and the lash." - sir winston churchill "the problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money." - the baroness thatcher *** all my figs have FMV/FMD, in case you're wondering. * * and... i don't sell things. what little i have will be posted here in winter for first come first serve base to be shared. no, i'm not a socialist...***

rcantor

Registered:1309799312
Posts: 5,727

Posted 1384997759	Reply with quote #10

you need a thermostat for your heating mats. http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPRTC-Digital-Thermostat-Heat/dp/B000NZZG3S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384997708&sr=8-1&keywords=plant+heat+mat+thermostat __________________ Zone 6, MO Wish list: Galicia Negra, De La Reina - Pons, Genovese Nero - Rafed's, Sbayi, Souadi, Acciano, Any Rimada, Sodus Sicilian, any Bass, Pons or Axier fig, any great tasting fig.

Previous Topic | Next Topic