"David E. Ross" wrote in message
. ..
On 2/11/2008 11:38 PM, Agapanthus wrote:
David E. Ross;774016 Wrote:
On 2/8/2008 5:23 PM, WeReo_ScoTTy wrote:-
I took the plant out of the pot in order to clean away the white slime

accumuating near the rim.

The plant is about 30 years old and hearty. I cut the stems in about
half,
and placed the new stems in a glass of water.

Does anyone know how long it's gonna take new roots to arrive? And I
left a
diagonal cut on the raw stems intead of square. Is this the right
thing to
do? Many thanks.

-

While rooting in water is not good if you plant to pot the new plants,
it's quite good if you intend to grow the new plants in water. I have
a
Philodendron growing in water in a large blue glass flask. I just
add
more water as the water level drops. Once in a great while, I add a
teaspoon of extra-diluted runoff from feeding my orchids; this seems
to
supply all the nutrients needed.

The old plant should get new sprouts, even from leafless stems. The
sprouts should grow where there are leaves or used to be leaves.

That is great advise. David I think that I will definitely want try
your approach.
Not only will it save me on potting soil, it will also look so much
neater.

And as I can gather you do not risk overwatering the plants OR is that
risk still threatening?

What about plants that do not like wet feet??

Growing Philodendron in water is an old practice suitable even for
novices. This is also true of related plants such as pothos (Epipremnum
pinnatum) and nephthytis (Syngonium podophyllum). However, it will not
work for plants that are accustomed to dry conditions such as succulents
and cactii.

See my http://www.rossde.com/garden/garden_potting_mix.html for a
do-it-yourself potting mix. Adjust it as indicated for acid-loving
plants or for cactus and other succulents. Leave out all nutrients, and
it becomes a rooting medium for cuttings, which is what you might need.
Also note at my http://www.rossde.com/garden/garden_start_seeds.html
how this can be adapted for starting seeds in a container.

--
David E. Ross
Climate: California Mediterranean
Sunset Zone: 21 -- interior Santa Monica Mountains with some ocean
influence (USDA 10a, very close to Sunset Zone 19)
Gardening pages at http://www.rossde.com/garden/
All this is above my head. Meanwhile I'm worried about the roots that are
supposed to grow from the newly cut stems from the mother plant.

The new stems are in a glass of water and are cut in diagonal, like you
would cut the stem from a rose. Am I doing the right thing? Can anyone send
me any hormones or chemicals you suggest? I'll pay you for them.