My 4 cup method to root cuttings

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SCfigFanatic

Registered:1450004954
Posts: 469

Posted 1483740355 · Edited	Reply with quote #1

My 4 cup rooting method Here is what I do. I use 3-18 ounce clear cups and one 18 ounce black cup. With the dirt cup and a air gap cup (clear)in both cups I put 10-12 holes (1/4" dia) with soldering iron in the sides and bottom. In what will be used for my top cup I add only 1 hole centered on the bottom and holes in the sides. I use finely ground sphagnum peat and equal part perlite for my rooting mix Prepare the cuttings by cutting from the bottom to about 6 inches total length. I just want a clean cut before dipping it in Clonex. I later learned that a small paint brush worked best to put a light coat on all of the cutting going below soil line Make a hole in the dirt for the cutting, dip in clonex (brush on) and put into hole..put your dirt cup into the air gap cup then put that in the black cup. I fill the cup to about a inch from the top. Don't pack it but it needs to be a bit firm around the cutting. For my top cup, I use scotch tape to cover all holes but the 1 hole in the top center. Later after roots are seen, I start removing the taped holes 1 at a time. Give a day or more before removing another hole. Put it on a window sill a leave it alone for at least 2 weeks. Check the black cup for a teaspoon or less of water. As the day cycles the top cup will fill with humidity. Then in the evening they slowly lose some droplets. Those droplets act like a terrarium recycling the water back through to the black cup. I have learned by adding the air gap cup I cannot over water a cutting so long as it has drainage. This is the most simple, yet most successful rooting technique I have used thus far. Make sure you see roots before adding holes to top cup. The leaves can come before roots show or not. It is just important to see the roots first. Should be easy for anyone to root cuttings. Here is how I melt holes in the top cup. I normally use scotch tape IMG_20170107_222803596 by Doug B, on Flickr IMG_20170107_222607984 by Doug B, on Flickr then I make the air gap and dirt cup like this IMG_20170107_222644844 by Doug B, on Flickr Doug __________________ South Carolina zone 7b-8 Off and on member since 10/1/2012

figpig_66

Registered:1416870358
Posts: 2,678

Posted 1483747406	Reply with quote #2

I like it. How do you moisten your soil ? Is it totally dry when it is mixed with perlite then sprayed after its mixed ?? __________________ RICHIE BONI HICKORY LOUISIANA ZONE 8B WARM HUMID WINRERS ARE VERY MILD LOW 20'S BUT WARMS RIGHT UP DURING THE DAY. SUMMER IS EXTREMELY HOT & HUMID 100 degrees 100% humidity fig tree grow like crazy but some split from rain & humidity Wish list. Col de dame blanc Col de rimada Lsu numbered figs

SCfigFanatic

Registered:1450004954
Posts: 469

Posted 1483747858 · Edited	Reply with quote #3

I like to wet the sphagnum and perlite in a bucket, then I add it to the dirt cup. After it is set up I monitor the black cup to see that wee bit of water. If it is dry, your mix is too dry. I add water through dirt cup holes. Doug __________________ South Carolina zone 7b-8 Off and on member since 10/1/2012

SCfigFanatic

Registered:1450004954
Posts: 469

Posted 1483749150	Reply with quote #4

I also notice that the extra cup is providing a bit of insulation vs the cups sitting on a cold board. I'm attempting this method under only led lights in a closet. I'm betting the soil warms quicker under my lights this way. Doug __________________ South Carolina zone 7b-8 Off and on member since 10/1/2012

FiggyFrank

Registered:1347560723
Posts: 2,713

Posted 1483754033	Reply with quote #5

Great write-up, Doug. Thanks for sharing! __________________ Frank zone 7a - VA

SCfigFanatic

Registered:1450004954
Posts: 469

Posted 1483754432	Reply with quote #6

Thanks Frank. Doug __________________ South Carolina zone 7b-8 Off and on member since 10/1/2012

SCfigFanatic

Registered:1450004954
Posts: 469

Posted 1483822044 · Edited	Reply with quote #7

Those trying the old 3 cup method should really consider adding a air gap cup. It does help. Doug __________________ South Carolina zone 7b-8 Off and on member since 10/1/2012

gofiger

Registered:1468681189
Posts: 71

Posted 1483834710	Reply with quote #8

Thx for sharing. My mission tomorrow is to try and find clear and black cups that size around here. __________________ Steve Zone 5b-6a Oshawa Ontario That's Canada eh! Wish List: A Canadian member that is willing to share there cuttings with me.

SCfigFanatic

Registered:1450004954
Posts: 469

Posted 1483834983	Reply with quote #9

I found mine at wally Doug __________________ South Carolina zone 7b-8 Off and on member since 10/1/2012

americanfiglover

Registered:1236649731
Posts: 643

Posted 1483835135	Reply with quote #10

Anyone have any pictures of this? I suck at visualizing things. :( __________________ Jarrett Spokane, WA ZONE 6A Proudly Serving in the United States Armed Forces, 2009-Present Everyone should have a green thumb Figs: Nero600m

SCfigFanatic

Registered:1450004954
Posts: 469

Posted 1483835367	Reply with quote #11

I will try to post pictures tomorrow. __________________ South Carolina zone 7b-8 Off and on member since 10/1/2012

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