When rooting a Jade cutting (stem or leaf), what is the best rooting medium and should it be completely dry?
bradley L asked:
I took two cuttings (around july 10th or so) from a 6 year old jade plant that is doing well and dipped them in rooting hormone and left them out to callous for three or four days. Then I placed them into a Cactus and Soil mix directly out of the bag and placed in a bright but sun-less window. Two weeks in I sprayed the top of the soil a few times of each one and one of them rotted from the cut on up within a week. The other one has been in the soil for over a month now and no sign of roots, meanwhile the cutting is slowly shriveling up. I feel like it needs a small amount of moisture, but I am afraid it will rot. any ideas? I really want this cutting to survive as it has a striking stem and branch shape.
will the plant be able to absorb any water with no (visible) roots?
I took two cuttings (around july 10th or so) from a 6 year old jade plant that is doing well and dipped them in rooting hormone and left them out to callous for three or four days. Then I placed them into a Cactus and Soil mix directly out of the bag and placed in a bright but sun-less window. Two weeks in I sprayed the top of the soil a few times of each one and one of them rotted from the cut on up within a week. The other one has been in the soil for over a month now and no sign of roots, meanwhile the cutting is slowly shriveling up. I feel like it needs a small amount of moisture, but I am afraid it will rot. any ideas? I really want this cutting to survive as it has a striking stem and branch shape.
will the plant be able to absorb any water with no (visible) roots?
I just stick the stem cutting in well watered soil and leave to grow.
I dont water again for a while.
If its shriveling it needs water.
Succulants will start rooting too if you lay them on top of damp soil, if you have just a tiny piece you want to start.
Dont be scared, jade plants are pretty hardy, but get it soemwater.
The cactus and soil mix should drain readily, assuming you have the cutting in a pot with drainage. I would suggest that you water the pot and then make sure that the cutting is in contact with the soil (no air pockets around it.) It sounds like you’ve been doing the right things; sometimes cuttings just don’t make it despite our best efforts. Good luck!