This winter, I got many extra promegranate and mullberry cuttings and so I fashioned a cheap rooting chamber. This is an old method where you simply aim to have high humidity and warm temperature while the cuttings are developing roots.


By joereal at 2008-03-05

Indeed, I've got 100% success rate and all plants inside the chamber grew. Come spring time, I began opening the covers slowly for them to adapt. I then transferred the rooted plants unto bigger pots, but then slowly, they shriveled. Fortunately, I've got about 50% overall success rates.

But that is not the technique I am referring to. The above is a little bit complicated as there are numerous steps to do.

Now I still have dormant cuttings as backup, and then it occured to me while I was doing the grafting. Why not simplify and adapt some sealing techniques to propagating via cuttings that I always use to keep scionwood from drying? So I tried the technique below:

First step, wrap the top 40% of your stem cutting with parafilm, skipping the areas where buds would sprout, just like you would when doing grafting.


By joereal at 2008-05-10

Then simply bury the cutting in your rooting bed as illustrated below. Take note that when you bury the cutting, some parafilm gets buried. The very purpose is to protect the stem cutting from fungal infections which commonly occurs at the surface, especially at the base of your cutting. By putting the parafilm, you minimize such infections, thereby increasing your success rates. You can dab the exposed lower protion with some rooting hormone before sticking them into the soil.


By joereal at 2008-05-10

And here's my rooting bed, which is nothing but ordinary soil. I simply plant them closer together for simplifying my watering. There are several pomegranates and mullberry cuttings. 100% success rate so far, directly in the soil. They will be dug out next year and barerooted, to be given away to friends. The advantage of this method is that you don't need a rooting chamber or a misting setup. You simply stick it in the ground and water it every day without fear of the cuttings drying out before they root.


By joereal at 2008-05-10

Here's a closer look of the Kazerdzke pomegranate. It is starting to push out really well as the weather warms up.

By joereal at 2008-05-10

The above technique can be readily applied to citruses. Lisbon lemons, citrange, flying dragon and other rootstocks can be easily propagated via stem cuttings. The paraffin tape can be a big help when propagating via cuttings. I just have to try and share to everyone that it worked for me and so you may try it too.

And for the sake of comparison with a control group, I also did plant some stem cuttings directly unto the soil, without the paraffin tape. Well, I've only got 20% success rate on that.

Thank you for this Joe.
It is timely for me as I have been trying to root some FD and trifoliate cuttings as I hope to delve into grafting. I got hooked on this citrus stuff just a few months ago- too late to find any rootstock seeds.
A couple of questions- I have heard that buds break through parafilm. Is it necessary to avoid wrapping over the buds?
I know this next question will demonstrate my novice status but- at this time of year when I am taking cuttings- do you trim off all the existing leaves or let some remain to provide nutrition to the wood?
Kyle

Joe, is your cutting bed in full sun, dappled shade or
complete shade? I suspect that the wrap of parafilm
will not heat up inside as much as a tent made from a
transparent plastic bag would. Inside such a bag,
it gets too hot in full sun and the new growth cooks.
I will try your technique tomorrow.

Thanks for making that notated picture.
It made the whole idea clear to me.