I had tried rooting some cuttings last fall.. Though most of them bit it for one reason or another something I noticed was a few lost all their leaves but grew tiny branches on the buds then I noticed roots a week or so later.. of course these were some of what did not make it... but I was amazed that they grew the leaves and branches..
Everything I've ever read says to have 2 or 3 leaves on the cutting to be rooted..
And now.. I was going through my drawer with cuttings purchased recently and last yr.. none have leaves.. for the heck of it I took cuttings from everything in my storage and have put them in peat pellets.. I have little hope for the older stuff.. but.. I was amazed to see the Minneola has already started to put on new growth and I only started this three or so days ago!!!
Is this a fluke??? am I just lucky??
I honestly did not have any expectations.. this was just something to do.. and I figured If I didn't use all the budwood it would probably end up as compost anyway..
I will post pics of the Minneola some time soon.. and if any others start doing something I'll post those results also..

Gina *BabyBlue*

When i take cuttings, i cut all the leaves off and till now this has worked very good:)

greets laurens

I haven't had much experience rooting citrus, but for all other plants that I have rooted, I cut all leaves but the last 4--I remove cut half of those four off and remove the terminal bud. I saw this on our local PBS station with a horticulture professor--he said that the injured leaves make the plant produce hormones like those in rooting hormone and removing most of the leaves reduces the need for roots to obtain moisture.

Gina, rooting a cutting is all about energy (carbohydrates). If one starts with cuttings with good energy reserves the success rate is high. Cells cannot function and divide without energy. Energy for initial root production MUST come from the parent plant and be present in the cutting. Provide nutrition, light, and other growing condition favorable for the plant from the moment the cuttings are stuck. Dissolved minerals in the water used to mist cuttings can have a profound influence on rooting and subsequent growth. Using water with high sodium or high bicarbonates are the most common culprits. In general, the lower the mineral content of the water, the better cuttings root. I many times use distilled water. Further timely transplanting into larger containers is very important. Transplanting should occur when the cutting has sufficient roots to hold the soil mass together. Lastly, I have found Minneolas and lemons to be varieties that root very easily. Mandarins, on the other hand, seem to be a lot more difficult to root. Take care, and follow the daffodil principle.

Millet
Anton Von Leeuwenhoek
Father of Polyembryony in Oranges 1719

Add kumquats to the hard to root citrus.

I have not heard (or don't recall) the daffodil principle.. Could you explain?
here it is..

I am amazed since every thing I've read before says to have X# of leaves for rooting cuttings..
Now if it would just put out some roots I'll be plum tickled!!

Gina *BabyBlue*

Just my 2 cents worth about daffodills: after they bloom& flowers die off, don't cut the leaves... they supply energy to the plant. Some ppl braid the leaves to make them look nice instead of just looking all floppy. I don't know if this has anything to do with what Millet meant.

I hope that cutting roots for ya!

Patty, "follow the daffodil principle" does not mean anything, it is a private joke, coming from a really great daffodil E-mail I received from Gina. If you would like to read about the daffodil principle ask Gina to send it to you. It really is a good article.

Millet

Thanks Millet!!!! I will..
Been a Gray hair moment week here...

need to slow down and smell them daffodils now and then too..

Gina *BabyBlue*

Thanks Millet, that's all I know about growing daffodils. LOL.
Gina, waiting for your email!

Patty,
You got Mail!!!

Ok.. I was Amazed by the Minneola.....
I am now flat out FLOORED!!! The Etrog has now sprouted as well!!! and that was from last falls cuttings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I will get photos and post them as soon as this storm passes..
Gina *BabyBlue*

here is the Etrog



I didn't think it would do any thing at all..

Gina *BabyBlue*

Most all profesional nurseries will leave one or two leaves at the top of the cuttings.

If I had cut them myself for rooting I would have kept at least two leaves as per everything I've read.. The Minneola was budwood purchased from T A&M.. and the Etrog was left over from some Joe sent me last yr for budding..

I just checked on them.. the Etrog is growing the little branch quite quickly.. the Minneola has set bloom buds.. I took tweesers and removed the flower buds.. I would like it if these would put on some roots to go with all the great top growth!!


Guess I need to plant more daffodils!!!

Gina *BabyBlue*