Apologies for coming in late to this thread, but has anyone tried
using those water-retaining gel granules as a rooting medium (after
they've been well soaked, of course)? I would think they might be
ideal, holding lots of water but allowing air to circulate in the
spaces between.

You would not want air to circulate round the developing roots. they
need to be in contact with moisture all the time.

Do they, though? I was reading an article recently which said that,
contrary to previous belief, seeds and seedlings took in more water from
the air spaces between the soil than from the soil itself. So might not
the same hold true for cuttings?

And don't most people add sand to the rooting compost - not to hold
water, but to give air spaces?

I dunno - I don't go in for cuttings.

Im trying some cuttings in the water retaining gel granules at the
moment, just some tangerine sage and some pinks. So far after 5 days
they seem to be ok, I will post any results.

Did you use rooting powder/liquid and did you use a sterilising agent on the
cuttings?
I look forward to hearing how it goes.

Franz

Mark

K - these are just the ordinary water retaining granules used in
baskets, tubs etc.

Franz - didnt use anything else this time so its a bit like just
sticking cuttings in water to root them except hopefully if they do
root, the roots wil grow into the granules and so protect them when it
comes to potting them up.
However I will be trying out more cuttings of the same plants in the
gel but with a little bit of liquid rooting agent this weekend, not
exactly a scientific trial but it might prove interesting.

Mark