zxcvbob wrote:

I previously wrote:
David Hill wrote:

I have found that when you root a cutting in water that the hardest thing is
moving it into compost/soil/dirt.

I have found the best thing is to have a little dry peat, and dust the roots
with this first, so that each root is coated and they are not hanging as one
thick strand, it is then easier to get the roots to go into the pot
separately, this makes the move from water easier and less stressful for
the young plant.
When the roots have filled the pot then either pot on or plant out, and at
all stages water well, but don't over water.


I have to agree. When plants are rooted in water, the mere act of
potting them damages the roots.

Now that the cuttings are rooted, I would pot them first and keep
them sheltered. Use 1/2 peat moss and 1/2 clean, coarse sand.
This mix drains well, readily admits air, wets easily, and makes
moisture available to roots until it is almost bone dry. (See my
http://www.rossde.com/garden/garden_potting_mix.html.)

DO NOT FEED until you see that the potted cuttings are indeed
surviving. Fertilizer will only further traumatize the bruised
roots. Wait at least 2-3 weeks after potting before feeding.
Cuttings that survive but are not vigorous should not be fed until
they start to thrive.

After about 6 weeks, tip a cutting out of its pot. If the soil is
filled with roots, you may plant it in your garden. If not,
carefully return the plant to the pot and wait another 6 weeks.


Is that a coffee can of dry compressed peat moss (spaghnum peat?) or
damp and broken-up peat moss, or bagged composted peat?

[zxcvbob is referring to my recipe for potting mix, in which I use
a coffee can as a measure.]

I buy the peat moss in compressed bales. But I break it up as fine
as I can before measuring. Then, I press it down in the can to
eliminate air from the measurement. I measure it dry (although
there might be some moisture from the bale). While blending the
mix (I do it on a patio table), I try to break up any remaining
lumps of peat moss.

I only add water after blending in the sand and (when not dealing
with new cuttings) nutrients. Plain dry peat moss tends to repell
water. But the blended mix absorbs water quite readily.

--

David E. Ross
http://www.rossde.com/

I use Mozilla as my Web browser because I want a browser that
complies with Web standards. See http://www.mozilla.org/.