"Janet Baraclough" wrote in message
from "Farm1" please@askifyouwannaknow contains these words:

A couple of months ago (in mid winter) I had to move a huge
"Fantin
Latour" so took 9 cuttings (snip)


I would very carefully slide the pot off to see if any roots are
showing yet at the edge of the compost. If not, slide it back on
again.

The plastic bag is only to reduce the amout of water loss from
transpiration, while the cuting has no roots to replace that water,
IYSWIM. Once the cutting starts putting out new leaves that
indicates it
has made enough roots to support new leaves. At that stage, the risk
is
that the extra humidity inside the bag may encourage moulds and rot
the
tender new leaves. It's usual in a UK climate to gradually
acclimatise
the cuttings to normal atmosphere by opening the cover, let air in
for
a few days then remove it. In Aus you may have to be extra vigilant
they
don't get too dry; mist the leaves daily with water etc (as well as
watering the soil) and keep them out of wind and under shade.

If you slide the pot off, and see a fine net of white roots all
the
way round it, I still wouldn't be tempted to single out such young
soft
cuttings at this time of (your) season. It would be too much of a
double
whammy. I'd harden off the leaves a little as described, than take
off
the old pot, plant the whole "pie" of soil, undisturbed, into a
much
bigger pot and grow the cuttings on until autumn. Then single them
out
so that they have time to get their roots established before winter.

I'm slightly worried that what works in Scotland's climate may
not be
transferable to NSW, though :-)

Thanks Janet. Sounds like good advice. If I keep the plants out of
the hot sun and remember to water them then they should survive OK.
I've had plants survive my sloppy care in my propagating area for long
stretches of time.