Topic: Cuttings not taking

[sandersj89]

I never seem to have much of a problem taking chrysanthemum cuttings in the past but this year I am failing miserably. Not doing anything differently to last but I am looking at losses of about 75%.

Last years plants were raised back in the autumn and put in a cold greenhouse. Just before Christmas I started to give a little heart and they started to sprout from the base. When these were about 3 inches long I cut them at soil level with a very sharp knife, removed the lower pairs of leaves, dipped in rooting hormone, a new tub, and planted in a mix of John Innes Seed and Cutting compost with some extra washed sharp sand added.

They were planted in trays and covered with a plastic hood and placed in a light spot with bottom heat of about 18 to 20 degrees.

Last year this worked fine but this year I am suffering from the cuttings rotting below soil level and not rooting. Cuttings were taken 2 weeks ago and I would expect to start to see signs of them rooting now. (The tips of the cutting normally go bright green when roots emerge.)

Anyone with any suggestions to help me out? I will be taking the next set of suttings over the next 10 days or so.

Thanks

Jerry

[windygale]

Hi Jerry,sounds like you have the same problems as i did a couple of years ago when i tried to take some from my fathers plants, after he pass away (ALL cuttings DIED) I  was told it may be blackleg caused by a too damp growing environment, try a test - take cuttings, place into a sandy growing medium, water as usual, but dont place on a lid, a good heat in your greenhouse and see if they all grow (and if that dont take, take advice from from somebody else) HA!HA!
 PS Thats why i asked you if you could grow some for me as i allways have problems my self.
later mate
windy

[tim]

Windy - you've stolen my thunder. With a small 't'!.

If it worked last year, Jerry, difficult. But - my only 2 thoughts.
!8F seems unnecessarily high? And do you really need to 'steam' them - as Windy says? = Tim

[john_miller]

A couple more possibilities; it may be different weather conditions, lower light levels in particular, as you have control over everything else.
Alternatively you may have compost that has not been properly sterilised or, and this has happened to me, compost that has been overfertilised which can burn tissue and impede rooting.

[rosebud]

Jerry try this it may be helpful for your cuttings , let me know if you succeed
please because i want to try some thank you.


www.botany.com/chrysanthemum.html

[sandersj89]

Thanks everyone.

Round two started today, 12 new cuttings taken:



No cover this time and no direct heat at their feet, pots in the main house at about 65 degrees, same mix of sand, vermiculite and loam compost.

Of the first batch of about 30 cuttings I think I will end up with about 10 if I am lucky!

Jerry

[tim]

Worth all that just for the photos? =  Tim

[rosebud]

If you have any cuttings left over Jerry i could find a home for them. :o
Cheeky i know but thought i would give it a try. :)