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A group of bags, and an individual bag. I started trying this method because I thought rooting might be better if there was some organic material in the potting mix. But, in the past, I found that the organic material caused the mix to stick to the side of the clear cups, and made removal difficult and the result often was damaged roots.
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An individual bag showing corners trimmed off at a 45 degree angle to make drainage holes. I found I could trim up to about 8 bags at a time before the slickness of the bags caused difficulty.
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The bags were ordered from Uline. They deliver overnight when ordered by 5:00 p.m. This size gives you a 2" diamater bag, when filled. I chose this size to keep the rooting zone narrower, which would decrease the amount of space that each cutting took up in my greenhouse. Also, the bag is as deep is the cutting is long. When the bag is almost full, the cutting only protrudes a little. This gives more rooting surface than the shorter cups and minimizes the amount of cutting exposed to the air. This reduces the surface where the cutting can dry out, making humidity around the cutting less critical, and hopefully reducing mold.
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This is a "tail piece" from the plumbing store, used to connect the drain from your sink. I think this one is 1-1/2" diameter.
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Blow into the bag to puff it out, and insert the "tail piece" into the bag, all the way to the bottom, which will hold the bag open, so you can insert the cutting, and pour in the rooting mix, sort of like a funnel.
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Same, closer up.
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Drop the cutting in. If they are too "curly" to fit through, put the cutting in first, but still use the tail piece as a funnel.
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Same, full view.
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Filling the bag with rooting mix. If the cutting is thick (large diameter) the rooting mix doesn't fall in as well. I fill up the "funnel" and then pull it out half way, and refill. That is usually enough to fill the bag completely.
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This is the mix I used: probably 80% or more Perlite. The rest was compost from the local landfill, aged a few weeks.
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Several bags grouped in a small nursery pot. A 2 gallon pot hold 10-11 cuttings. Don't forget to label.
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Same, watered, and then placed in the greenhouse. The coarse Perlite and minimal organic material allows you to thoroughly soak the mix, but most of the water runs on through, avoiding too much moisture around the cutting, reducing rot.
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Root development at 4 weeks. Your results may vary. Other cuttings done at the same time are definitely rooting at a slower pace.
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Roots close up, one side.
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Opposite side.
Splitting the bag was very easy, with no root damage when I used an X-acto knife with a new, fresh, sharp blade. MORE PIX
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