Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

i am trying to multiply my fruit plants ect ect i got some root hormone yesterday but found out that you are not suppose to use on stuff you are gunna eat damn...

so i got cuttings 2 meyer lemons 2 key limes 2 kumquat 2 pomigranites how and what do i do to get these cuttings to root?

You can make a natural rooting hormone by cutting young willow twigs into tiny pieces and soaking them in hot-but-not-boiling water. Let site overnight and then strain.

I've never noticed that warning on storebought hormone though, I'm wondering what's in it that would make it that dangerous?

I use plain water in a sprayer type set up. I imagine it would work on trees like yours as well but I have used it on regular plants with almost 100%success. I made a DIY version of this kinda thing



There are many DIY versions out there of these things. google DIY easy cloner and you can get a bunch of walk through instructions. Pool floaty foam will save you money over buying the pucks that the cloners use.

I know some trees are also cloned with layering. I have seen it done when I was a youth and can remember black plastic wrapped around sections of limb. The section is partially cut then wrapped to make the cut area dark to promote root growth but still attached enough to the tree to get some nutrients. I know it works well as my granpa did it a lot but I never learned it well just saw it and know of it. Google should have some good how to videos on it.

Did you know that you can also use natural honey to help start cuttings?

Most of those will not do well in Texas from cuttings. Typically around here, citrus are graphed onto root stock that is more appropriate to our environment.

thx i will have to try out this diy easy cloners!

and no i didnt know about the honey! do you just dip the cutting into honey then put in dirt?

Yup, it is that easy

asprin in water works too

Yep, I'd go with honey if you really want to use something, but the last lot we did were just shoved into the media of a growbed, looks like they might have taken too...

Ok went and dug them up to check, they are just starting to form roots..

Fig tree and grape vine cuttings.



See the small white lumps on the stem where the nodes of the branch are? These are roots just starting to form, now I know they are starting to form we'll leave them alone for the next few weeks to let them grow before disturbing them again.

+1 for honey, however after dipping use a dibbler [like a pencil] to make a hole to put cuttin in or most of the honey will be wiped off. Secondly, dont use just dirt for cuttings unless they are mulberries, grapes, figs, willows etc, just throw those on the ground and they will grow.
The best cutting media is half coarse washed sand, quarter perlite or vermiculite and quarter coco coir or peat.
Nicky Wayne, I honestly think you are wasting your time trying to strike citrus from cuttings. Your cuttings are best grafted or budded onto seedling stock.

Maybe put them in a dimly lit room and play them some Harry Connick Jnr songs.

earthbound,
Are you going to move those cuttings or leave them in the GB?

I just stuck some winter cuttings of hawthorne in my indoor system and they are starting to leaf. I'll be transplanting outside in 4 months & I'm wondering do I leave them in the GB or transplant them to pots as a halfway step?

Try this:
Take cuttings from the ends of old growth branches at least 6 inches long.

Remove all leaves except the top bit of foliage.

Cut the bottom of the cutting at a 45 degree angle 1/4 inch below the last node.

Stick 'em in a GB.

Report back in 3-4 weeks

+1

I have also used the cutting powder they sell in the B. not sure if thats good for AP though but it dows work a treat in getting roots growing.