pine cuttings.

[Dumper]

Don't know why I am still doing this when i am leaving the country next month

Here's some photos to share

[chiah]

Thanks for sharing... great job... what's your secret??

[Dumper]

Hi Chiah.

Secrets? lol. I've done a lot of pine cuttings before and always fail. This set is the first one that kind of show promising results.

Tried using mist system. -Failed.
In a 3 tier low profile greenhouse bought from bunning/reject shop. - Failed
In an Igloo with bottom heat. - Failed
cuttings in sphagnum moss in a 3 tier low profile greenhouse. - Failed. (affected by Botrytis cause it was too wet)

This here i use a diff technic. I use 1 layer of brunnings propagating sand at least 2.5cm thick, top the sand up with a thin layer potting mix, and top it up with another very very thin layer of coco brick that i ve soaked in water to break them apart
i use the purple gel hormone on some of the pine cuttings. seems like the one without is still doing fine. To keep the cuttings alive long enough for it to strike, i use the propagating tray and mini greenhouse thing. http://www.yates.com.au/products/books- ... reenhouse/

I water it everyday with the hose and set it to mist. i also water the inside of the greenhouse transparent cover. this might help the cuttings to self condense and keep it alive long enough for it to survive.

it also seem like the younger the stock plant is the better success rate you will get.

the jbp, stone pine and the bhutan pine was done 2 months ago. sign of growth is showing but not a lot.
the jrp was done 3-4 weeks ago when the buds was about to grow. it seems to do better. whether if it is store energy or if it is actually callusing to produce root. i dont know.

I've also done jwp cuttings and they look like they are alive. but nothing is happening yet.
and for nishiki and kyokko nishiki cuttings. all needles turn brown.

propagating sand is a medium that drains very well. so this will not cause the cuttings to be rotten or affected by Botrytis.
Since propagating sand does not contain any nutrient i added the thin layer of potting mix on the top. and to keep everything fresh and a moist on the foliage.

i might not be able to show the result if the pine cutting strikes. but if it strike before i leave. i will post them up

[chiah]

Thank you I'll give it a go...

[Dumper]

it might have show a good result this year. but im all fluked. might not work next time if i try again. hahaha.

[Mojo Moyogi]

Hi Dumper and Chiah, I have ahad a few successes and some failures growing JBP from cuttings. As Dumper has said, a free draining cutting medium is very important. Brunnings propagating sand works ok, sometimes it has quite a bit of silt or clay in it that needs to be washed out. I have had most success using a 50/50 mix of 0.5-2mm Maidenwell Diatomite and 1/4 minus or 2mm granite chips. The sharper the particles are the better. I use a custom made polytunnel and a fogging system at the moment, but my trusty old propagating tray unit with a timed misting system or balance arm (depending on the season) worked fine for JBP and great for everything else (if anyone is interested, it might be for sale soon).

I haven't used bottom heat for propagation for a couple of seasons as I need to replace my heating cable, I find I only really need bottom heat if Iam trying to strike very difficult species or deciduous hardwood cuttings 40mm in diameter or more.

The failures that I have had have mainly been due to overmisting and poor cutting medium. I have noticed that it is important to remove some needles from the cuttings (1/2 or slightly more), I had trouble getting roots or had very few roots on cuttings that carried too many needles.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Mojo

[Dumper]

thanks for that mojo moyogi.

i also forgot to mention that the did actually wash off a little of the brunnings sand for the cuttings.

[chiah]

thanks for the info

[daiviet_nguyen]

Good evening Dumper and Mojo Moyogi,

Thank you very much for taking the times to share the results and techniques.

I have tried black pines again and again -- never a success. I gave up. I have tried difference medium. But not Maidenwell Diatomite yet.

I have tried cuttings in April, May, June, July and August.

What months did you try yours?

Thank you and best regards.

[Dumper]

i think the secret for getting pine cuttings to strike is to keep the cutting alive as long as possible.

same as grafting. keep the scion alive as long as possible till it takes.

just a thought.