Cutting Establishment

Avoid subjecting the cuttings to any stressful conditions. Stressful conditions (high light, high temperatures, water stress, or fertilizer stress) will slow the establishment of the cutting and may result in a lower number breaks after pinching.

Cuttings which have come out of propagation have been under a low light, high humidity environment, which causes the cuttings to be weak. Rooted cuttings should be planted slightly deeper than the top of the root cube and watered in well. Rooting the cuttings under mist also leaches nutrients from the plants. Fertilize the newly transplanted cuttings with around 100 to 150 ppm N until the roots are established. Supplemental applications of a light mist should be done 3 to 6 times a day until the cuttings are rooting out. Shading (from 25% to 50%) will also help the plants acclimate to the new higher light and lower humidity environment. Growers in the north should remove the shading prior to pinch. Because of the higher light and temperatures of the south, southern growers may not want to remove the shade until October 1.

Lower leaf yellowing of leaves under mist.
Click on image for larger version. (image ©Brian Whipker, NCSU)

Shading to help reduce light levels and temperatures.
Click on image for larger version. (image ©Brian Whipker, NCSU)

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