Blankspace said:I have never done cuttings before. I need to look up sharp sand. Does beach sand work instead? Hehe. I gotta buy sharp sand first. I also need to look up root hormone. Never used that before. What is the best kind and easiest to find in stores?
Can I use this method for all cuttings? Thanks in advance for the help.
Cuttings are easy and if you have a spot where they can sit undisturbed for a couple of months most will root with this method. What you want are pencil size cuttings (about 1/4 inch x 8 inches). a single slender branch can be made into 3 or 4 cuttings.
Sharp sand is used to make mortar and concrete. It has sharp edges on it because it hasn't been rubbed back and forth by the ocean for thousands of years. That's why beach sand feels good to walk in. It has smooth edges. The roughness of sharp sand provides a little more room for the roots to grow. If you go by a construction site with a sand pile they will probably give you a couple of buckets of sand for the asking. (or a buck)
I use Rootnone rooting hormone. It's a powder and can be found in the big box stores in the gardening section. Just follow the directions on the label.
Try it and surprize yourself. If you don't see leafy growth after a couple of months, remove the cuttings and start over. Just be sure to rewet the sand.
While you are waiting for the cuttings to root, try to decide where their permanent home will be. When you are ready to remove the cuttings from the sand take a couple of scoops of dirt from where they will be planted and add water to make a thin mud . Just drag the cuttings back and forth through the mud to coat all of the roots. This will keep the roots from drying and dying. Typically the cuttings should be planted at the same depth as they were in the rooting pot. Have fun, Claud.
