ROOT CUTTING PROPAGATION

Question

Hello, I will be taking root cuttings from a shrub in my yard, and plant them in 6″, starter pots. These will be placed in a large, clear plastic covered “tote”. Over the winter, they will be growing indoors, under a growing lamp. I also have a heat pad to place under the tote Following, are a few questions that I have. 1) What should the temperature be inside the tote? 2) What should the humidity be? (I have a digital thermometer/ humidity gauge). I live in Virginia, and will be taking the cuttings very soon. Any help that you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, and have a wonderful day!

Answer 1

According to the article below, you don't want heat to build up inside the plastic housing, so I wouldn't use the heat mat. Here are the instructions:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/propagation/cuttings/what-are-root-cuttings.htm

Here is a publication on different ways to root cuttings. There is no mention of using a heat mat, though it does say cuttings root faster if the temperature inside the bag is 65 to 75 degrees F.

http://pss.uvm.edu/ppp/pubs/oh5cuts.html

Here is another:

https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/plant-propagation-by-leaf-cane-and-root-cuttings-instructions-for-the-home-gardener