I'm beginning to worry about my cutting
I'm beginning to worry about my cutting
I had a Parodia mammulosa that was growing well, about six inches tall but wider at the top than the bottom of the stem. I decided to take a risk and top cut it to see if I could create a more aesthetic specimen. I took a three inch top cut, three inches in diameter using a sterile blade, and then slightly beveled the cutting. I let it dry and callus for a week. I then set the callused cutting on top of a fresh pot of soil mix, and placed it in bright indirect light. Absolutely no water. After four weeks I lifted the cutting to check for roots. Callus looked good, white, no black mildew, no roots, replaced the cutting. After six weeks I lifted the cutting, callus looked good, white, no black mildew, no roots. After eight weeks I lifted the cutting, callus still looked good, white, no black mildew, no roots. It has been eight weeks today, and I am beginning to worry. The cutting appears to me as it did when I cut it, not shrunk or desiccated. Advice? Suggestions?
- greenknight
- Posts: 4821
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2013 4:18 am
- Location: SW Washington State zone 8b
Re: I'm beginning to worry about my cutting
Have patience, sometimes it can take a long time.
Spence
Re: I'm beginning to worry about my cutting
I had Pterocactus cuttings which took 5 months to root. As long as your cutting is not shrinking, you're good.
Location
Antwerp, Belgium
temperate, maritime climate with mild winters and cool summers
hardiness zone 8a
Antwerp, Belgium
temperate, maritime climate with mild winters and cool summers
hardiness zone 8a
Re: I'm beginning to worry about my cutting
A few weeks is nothing. Growing succulents is about patience. Waiting for a succulent to root is just one reason of multiple reasons regarding patience. They are slow plants compared to other plants.
- Tom in Tucson
- Posts: 442
- Joined: Sun Jan 02, 2022 4:12 pm
- Location: NW Tucson AZ area
Re: I'm beginning to worry about my cutting
Not to mention the fact that one reason a succulent plant, exists, is because most of them appear to be "pre-programmed" to not waste precious internal resources, on too little rain or dew.
Re: I'm beginning to worry about my cutting
Update. 10 weeks, still no roots.
- jerrytheplater
- Posts: 1172
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2021 7:38 pm
- Location: Bloomingdale, NJ (USDA Zone 6b)
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Re: I'm beginning to worry about my cutting
But it still looks great. Keep on waiting.
I've rooted cuttings where I didn't even use any kind of potting mixture. I kept the cutting on a rack in an upright position in a bright place. I could pick up the cutting at will and look at the underside. As soon as I saw the littlest nubbins of roots coming out of the central ring of the callous, I potted the plant in a pot. That way your curiosity, trepidation, impatience, etc.... can be satisfied!!!
I've rooted cuttings where I didn't even use any kind of potting mixture. I kept the cutting on a rack in an upright position in a bright place. I could pick up the cutting at will and look at the underside. As soon as I saw the littlest nubbins of roots coming out of the central ring of the callous, I potted the plant in a pot. That way your curiosity, trepidation, impatience, etc.... can be satisfied!!!
Jerry Smith
Bloomingdale, NJ
45 inches (114 cm) rain equivalent per year, approx. evenly spread per month
2012 USDA Hardiness Zone 6b: -5F to OF (-20C to -18C) min.
Bloomingdale, NJ
45 inches (114 cm) rain equivalent per year, approx. evenly spread per month
2012 USDA Hardiness Zone 6b: -5F to OF (-20C to -18C) min.
Re: I'm beginning to worry about my cutting
Thanks Jerry. I don't mind picking it up, though I have to mind the spines. I'm disciplining myself to checking at two week intervals. I'll keep you posted. Remember, I had an excellent outcome with my M. microhelia. Nine weeks to start roots.
Re: I'm beginning to worry about my cutting
Good news update. Today is 12 weeks since I made the topcut, and this morning I observed about a half dozen eighth inch(3mm) roots coming from what I believe is called the vascular cambium (the distinctive circle in the center of the stem). I celebrated by gifting the plant a small amount of water, the first since the surgery.
- Tom in Tucson
- Posts: 442
- Joined: Sun Jan 02, 2022 4:12 pm
- Location: NW Tucson AZ area
Re: I'm beginning to worry about my cutting
loyall wrote: ↑Sat Aug 12, 2023 1:43 pm Good news update. Today is 12 weeks since I made the topcut, and this morning I observed about a half dozen eighth inch(3mm) roots coming from what I believe is called the vascular cambium (the distinctive circle in the center of the stem). I celebrated by gifting the plant a small amount of water, the first since the surgery.
- jerrytheplater
- Posts: 1172
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2021 7:38 pm
- Location: Bloomingdale, NJ (USDA Zone 6b)
- Contact:
Re: I'm beginning to worry about my cutting
Great news! Patience paid off.
Jerry Smith
Bloomingdale, NJ
45 inches (114 cm) rain equivalent per year, approx. evenly spread per month
2012 USDA Hardiness Zone 6b: -5F to OF (-20C to -18C) min.
Bloomingdale, NJ
45 inches (114 cm) rain equivalent per year, approx. evenly spread per month
2012 USDA Hardiness Zone 6b: -5F to OF (-20C to -18C) min.
- greenknight
- Posts: 4821
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2013 4:18 am
- Location: SW Washington State zone 8b