Can I use Potting Soil for Cuttings

Can I use potting soil for cuttings? Well, the answer is yes and no. Clear as mud, right? When propagating plants, most cuttings should by stuck in an inert material that drains well and is free of nutrients. This is to prevent bacteria and fungus from taking hold and prevent water saturation in compacted material. These things will undoubtedly cause rot in your defenseless little cuttings. Once they root, then you can up pot to a nutrient rich potting soil and fertilize. Remember, your cuttings don't need nutrients until they root. They have all the nutrition they need, stored up in their tissues.
Best Soil for Cuttings: • The BEST Medium for Ro...
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[@MikeKincaid79]

After the huge response from this video and so many polar opinions on the subject, I decided to do a part 2. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipiTm3Wkesp0aLc

[@amourdeparis]

I have used potting soil for propagating my roses, rhododendrons, hydrangeas, blueberries, and figs. I like using potting soil because the young plants can thrive once they're established. I like doing minimal repotting so that I don't disturb the roots. Peat moss also works well for cuttings.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Glad it's working for you Frank.

[@johnhamilton9229]

Just found your channel and you are changing the way I will working with my plants and cuttings. My wife and I are deep in the addiction world of plants and petunias will be much cheaper next year. Thanks.

[@MikeKincaid79]

It's so much fun! Good luck to you and your wife and have fun with it.

[@lobe2032]

I love your video's and your enthusiasm and excitement in seeing a root, I get the same way ,watching you gets me on my feet and out the door, I started using sand and the smallest bark I could find to do my cuttings in and it seems to be working. Thank you so much for everything you have taught me and I'm up for still learning. Love you and your family, sending you all hugs and kisses.. 😊😊😁😁🤗🤗

[@MikeKincaid79]

Glad you're here and part of the family Glenda.

[@KatherineTheGr8t]

Now I get it, didn't think about the stored nutrients in the limb. Bravo Mike, you're quite the teacher! : D

[@MikeKincaid79]

It takes me awhile but I'll get all the details out eventually, haha. Thanks for watching!

[@sandragrace4613]

Thanks, Mike! That does explain some of my failed attempts. Fyi, once I put a shallow layer of blended potting soil at the bottom of my cutting pot (repurposed DnD plastic cup) and the bulk material on the top portion where the cutting reached was vermiculite with sand maybe. That way when roots reached the bottom they grew into the soil. 🙋🏻‍♀️

[@MikeKincaid79]

That's an interesting idea. Thanks for sharing that, Sandra!

[@lindakemer4950]

Great question and perfect answer. Thank you!🌱

[@sbptrb]

Super thorough explanation.

[@leecastle1465]

Hi Mike from Epsom England 🇬🇧 Thank you for explaining, I really learnt something. I'm really naughty with cuttings, I tend to just stick em in whatever is at hand, sometimes in with something already rooting meaning to move them later. I quite often find something has rooted that I've forgotten all about 🤦‍♀️ At least it's a nice surprise 😅

[@MikeKincaid79]

Haha, sometimes cuttings work out that way.

[@DorianneSchwarz]

This was very helpful. Thank you!

[@jstamps9578]

Good stuff. I needed to hear. Thanks

[@kanagunbr]

I tried once with soil for coffee cuttings. I failed miserably with the mold problem. Later I soaked the soil with hot water to kill all the pathogens and tried. It worked great.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Yes, that's a great point and I intend to do a video about that.

[@ScarletKnightmare]

Great video, Mike!

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks!

[@theoverworkedgardener5648]

Very good information Mike

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks Mark

[@cortanavlog6487]

Hey Mike, thank you for sharing the rose cutting video. I Did exactly what you said now my rose 3 weeks old rooting well and growing some baby leave super cute. You always had such a great video. Thank you....👍🪅🎈 Happy hallowen guys!

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks so much and Happy Halloween to you too!

[@lanceb7438]

Great explanation Mike. Thanks.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Very welcome, Lance

[@kristinalasic4439]

This was very helpful, thank you Mike 🤗

[@MikeKincaid79]

You're so welcome!

[@raizesverdes]

I have learnt how to take cuttings from your videos, and have a few plants that have rooted, which I love. Thank you so much!!!!!!! All the best

[@MikeKincaid79]

You are so welcome!

[@sbkhider]

Thanks for the video Mike! Love your videos! Love the knowledge you share!

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks so much Susan! I really appreciate your support.

[@NewPrimFun]

Brilliant description. I only had potting compost to hand in the summer for my rose and hydrangeas cuttings. Dug in a large amount of builders sand (again, the only thing available in rural France). All the hydrangeas have taken and all bar 2 of the roses too. Thanks for all your tips.

[@MikeKincaid79]

You're so welcome. Glad it worked well for you Marie.

[@daveaz9962]

Mike, thanks for this video. I watched a few but obviously not enough. I recently bought some fig cuttings and placed them in a cup of potting soil. I purchased a heating mat for plants and a thermometer. Downside, my medium is running at 85 degrees. I thought that was a good temp until I watched more videos. Well, I potted on November 29th and today is December 13th. I am going to fix when I get home but probably too late and will have a bunch of rotted cuttings. I was so excited to see my fig cuttings take root. Hopefully a few will still make it. Live & learn...

[@MikeKincaid79]

You never know. I wouldn't change anything now. Just let it ride out and see what happens, you'll probably have more luck than if you started pulling them out and changing things around. Never stop learning and never stop experimenting.

[@simonac688.]

Great explanation Mike 👍👍

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks 👍

[@yoopermann7942]

yup, MIKE you hit that one threw the wndow them baby plants dont need any fertilizer/food till they root thank you for the refresher

[@MikeKincaid79]

You got it

[@KellyMorrisPR]

I am so excited to try your methods! A little nervous about covering the cuttings in a Chobani-like container. Afraid I’m smothering them or drowning them in the humidity and droplets running down the side of the container 😳. But SO excited to see what happens! Thank you for your generosity in giving us this info for free! Hugs from south Texas!💜

[@MikeKincaid79]

The containers work great, just don't over-saturate the soil with water. Lightly moisten the soil, that's it. Also, you can cut holes in the bottom of the cups for drainage. Good luck and have fun, Kelly!

[@lucy1231]

I've learnt so much from u !

[@carolsuch5646]

Hi Mike Love your video, I root my trailing geraniums in a compost with john innes they do well in that and they don't rot. Fuchsias I root in water when they start to have roots I pot them up with the same compost with john innes. I did these inside and they will stay there until the spring then I'll put them in my little greenhouse. Carol from the UK

[@mattmcghee1137]

I use a 511 mix for everything growing. Once again mike, another informative video

[@MikeKincaid79]

That's a good one and would probably be even better than just straight bark once the plant roots. i may need to experiment with this, thanks.

[@kathrynlloyd3656]

I did learn something! I always do. Love your show.

[@MikeKincaid79]

That's what it's all about! Thanks Kathryn.

[@BusyBeaver22]

Mike. Your videos are great. I have learned a ton from you. Just wanted to say your video editing and style is looking great.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks, I'm trying to do a better job and constantly learning more about editing to make the videos more interesting. I've just upgraded my filming equipment but won't have it all together for another month or so. I'm committed to making better quality videos (video and editing quality) as we move forward. We'll see how it goes.

[@KellyMorrisPR]

Couldn’t agree more!

[@mangalajayasekera4249]

Awesome explanation

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks

[@plantsomething]

Hey Mike, Took a ride to the mountains in NC yesterday. Got all the pots in could fit in my truck for 100.00. Thousands! Also got a few roddy cuttings. Wild mtn plants. First Roddys for me. Stuck in sand,cut flower buds off, probably not right time of year,but had to try. Also some bamboo an english ivy. Found out too,deer eat rose of sharron. Put out in yard,an tops gone. Hope your all doing well.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Good to hear from you Dean. Some people prefer waiting until now to root rhododendrons so this is a good time of year. Bottom heat can be very helpful to encourage roots. Man I'd love to make it back your way one of these years and explore that part of the country. Nice score on the pots!

[@plantsomething]

@@MikeKincaid79 If you do get this way,look me up Mike! Be an honor to meet you. Will try bottom heat. Thanks.

[@grannypantsification]

You can root plants in dirt from your yard. Potting soil works too. I held off trying to propagate hydrangeas while I searched for affordable fir bark. (Orchid bark is pricey) Having found nothing, I went ahead and used dirt from my woods (PNW) and I lost maybe 3 out of about 50. I’m pretty sure that was because they weren’t great cuttings. I started them like your videos showed, under a clear(ish) tote in mostly shade. I also had great success with princess plants in potting soil. If I had waited for fir bark, I wouldn’t have gotten anything and let’s face it, something is better than nothing 💕 Amazingly, one of my blue hydrangea cuttings from this spring bloomed this fall. It bloomed pink! Now I’m not sure I want to plant it in the ground, because I’m afraid it will turn blue. I have forests of blue hydrangea 🤣 and only this one baby pink one. Thanks Mike!

[@MikeKincaid79]

Very true, something is better than nothing. I guess I could have added that if all you have is potting soil, well, better get busy propagating, lol.

[@Williamleebowman]

Great explanation, i use a ground pine bark for propagating with a lot of success but this year i decided the bark was draining to well and requiring to much watering so i added a compost mix to hold more moisture and ended up losing 90% of my cuttings from rot .

[@MikeKincaid79]

Bummer, we've all been there. Live and learn.

[@melvinosborne5691]

you still amaze me little brother.

[@judybarker3117]

You are a great teacher!❤️

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks Judy!

[@KellyMorrisPR]

Yes you are!!!!!!!

[@teresaholland4790]

Thanks for your help

[@MikeKincaid79]

You're welcome, Teresa!

[@rahmanl2497]

Good explanation.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks!

[@musavir8]

Thank you Mike ,you have explained well, keep it up ,I bat you cannot wait to see 3million mark, good luck.

[@MikeKincaid79]

That mark is a little way off but the 300,000 mark is just around the corner. Pretty crazy how far we've come over the past 5 years or so. Thanks for being a part of it.

[@musavir8]

@@MikeKincaid79 Mike to me 300.000 k is 3million, my friend you deserve that mark, you are one of the best, just one more o, mike, thanks, have a good time.

[@hevchip741]

Thanks Mike, all makes sense yo me now

[@VoidloniXaarii]

This was eye opening! I thought I was giving them love instead... Damn. Thank you!

[@barbaracarreon9758]

Hi Mike 👋 You explained much better. Easy to understand for those who doesn't know yet about the soil. Talking about soul lol hope you're good and your family too. Nobody is immune to the problems. " Never surrender". Pray to Jehovah for wisdom. -Friend BC

[@MikeKincaid79]

You're great, Barbara! Thanks

[@cheperubio9624]

Great video thank you mike you are the best 🤗

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks for watching!

[@alicer3423]

Wow those fig leaves are beautiful Mike.

[@MikeKincaid79]

I love how orange the leaves got on the 'Ben's Golden Riverside'. They stayed on the tree for awhile too.

[@shanthisurendran57]

Nice and useful video

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks a lot, Shanthi

[@camicri4263]

Hey My friend, great to see you! Great video like always! Hugs to you and your girls Mike!🤗💜🤗

[@MikeKincaid79]

Always great to hear from you Camelia! Hugs!!!

[@camicri4263]

Thanks Mike!💜

[@inexovati]

Good day After watching some of your videos I am so happy, I try and it works for my roses and bougainvillea (sand and small stone for construction) thank u. I am from the French island of Martinique (Caribbean)

[@MikeKincaid79]

Sounds like a wonderful and tropical place. I'll bet you can grow many awesome tropical plants with colorful blooms!

[@silverfoxes65]

For rooting cuttings, I have had the best luck with perlite and also coco coir (and plain tap water). I have had terrible luck with rooting hormone (I even followed directions). I have had great luck with honey, it like supercharges the cutting and probably serves as an anti-biotic for the cutting. I know you have great luck with rooting hormone, what is the composition with your rooting hormone?

[@twiggshomestead6497]

awesome video! Thanks :D

[@MikeKincaid79]

Glad you liked it!

[@verahospedales262]

Thank you so much for answering me

[@mariohernandez-wg6fb]

Veryyy Clear !!!!!!!!! .......Thank you Mike ....🙄

[@emadahmed9615]

What's up Mike how are you I hope you're doing well you and your family I wish you all the best

[@MikeKincaid79]

Doing great Emad. Thanks for the well wished and may God bless your family.

[@tolotonga69]

Perfectly said ! Alot people use coco coire too

[@MikeKincaid79]

Yeah, that's a good one but it holds a lot of moisture so you have to be careful.

[@danieoberholzer5373]

I strive to one day be as articulite as you. Great video, mike.

[@visgotti]

well now I know why my boxwoods probably arent rooting lol

[@MikeKincaid79]

It could be the soil but it could also be time. They take awhile to root. How much time are you giving them.

[@visgotti]

@@MikeKincaid79 i think the first batch I did about 7 weeks ago, I thought it was looking good since a few dried out completely but the green ones had no callusing at all. Put them back in and figured I'd check again in a few weeks

[@MikeKincaid79]

Boxwoods are a plant that I'd propagate in the same manner as rhododendrons. Take cuttings in the mid to late summer, place in a frame with sand (instead of bark), set the frame up on the north side of a building, make sure the sand stays moist but don't overwater, give them until the following spring/early summer to pot up. Bottom heat can be helpful.

[@truthofthematter9409]

I took many cuttings last Fall and stuck them all in my outside pots with potting soil in them. Come Spring they all woke up and grew leaves! I didn't lose but a couple. Now I have many nice hydrangeas! Limelight, Firelight, Little Lime, Vanilla Strawberry, and the original Grandiflora hydrangea.

[@MikeKincaid79]

That's so awesome, glad to hear it! I just uploaded a part 2 this morning due to so many comments from people using potting soil: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipiTm3Wkesp0aLc

[@kennethreister7619]

Thanks for the video. I do have a slight difference of opinion though . . . . . Instead of emphasizing water saturation in potting medium/cutting medium I would emphasize aeration. Cuttings require good aeration and adequate moisture to be successful. The fine bark leaves lots of small air pockets that help in the establishment or roots. It is likely that even compressed, saturated bark won't work well for rooting. It's best to use a medium that retains some air space.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Agree

[@bicycleboy7370]

Agree. Commercial misting has to use fast draining soil that allows aeration as well as retaining moisture. There are deices called Turbo Misters / oxyclone wet and oxygenate the rooting area while the top leaf part may or may not be covered to prevent dryness. I have found that I compress the soil around the cutting but must be careful to not overdo it and make sure the soil medium is such that it does not clump. When you water the cell it will condense and sink the soil so you have to do a mile compression to get the elevation in the pot right. Also over watering does not allow oxygenation and creates an environment for organisms to grow. This requires at least daily monitoring.

[@AyZeD]

Last year I did hardwood cuttings I used potting mix, the fig and the rose of sharon I did rooted but the 3 apple ones I had didn't, I dunno if it was because they were too thin or because of the potting mix, but this year I've got figs and mulberries and I used a seedling mix and a sand mix both mixed together and I have a heating mat this time too which I didn't last year. So we'll see how those go, only did them all about a week ago, I should have probably done them at the end of winter here instead of the end of the first month of winter, but patience isn't my strong suite lol.

[@mommyangel1271]

wow nice video and information.thanks for sharing.sending my support.new friend here.the yellow color leaves is very.nice to see.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks for visiting and welcome to the channel!

[@michelelara5982]

Hope your family had a nice Halloween! Great trial and error experiment

[@MikeKincaid79]

Yes, that would be

[@KashmirMovieProduction]

Nice video sharing

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks a lot

[@stephenremo9200]

I've been using potting soil for my cuttings for a long time but I mix 50 50 with vermiculite. Find it works best for me.I root over winter and plant out in spring.no need for transplanting in the mid term

[@MikeKincaid79]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Glad it's working for you.

[@gwenscoble6229]

My cuttings root best in a raised bed containing 6" coarse sand. Its on the North side of the house. Major issue with West coast of UK is the continual rain, cuttings rot very easily. My Dad said the roots had to chase the water as it went into the ground, so you get well developed roots. Sand is definitely inert, but leaves falling on the bed are brought into the sand by worms so it has now become a richer mix now, however it is still very sandy and well drained. Interesting video Mike.

[@MikeKincaid79]

I started out using sand as a propagation material and it works out great. I agree, over enough time, leaves will fall on the sand and decompose. Eventually the sand will no longer be inert. I use a glass lid on my frame and this prevents leaves and fir needles from falling in. We have very similar climate to you. I'm in western Washington State and we get a steady drizzle of rain through about 8 or 9 months of the year.

[@gwenscoble6229]

@@MikeKincaid79 hi Mike, your description of the weather you experience is a little different to mine. The weather spark app compared us to Sooke on Vancouver Island, but with average winds at minimum 10kph more here throughout the year! (25kph more in winter). We don't leave fragile material out as it will be a sweeping up job shortly. Leaves are self collecting! Our latitude is well North of Vancouver Island so we get even less daylight in winter. Sooke gets more snow. With all that rain and wind, ensuring good drainage is key, accumulation of soil is by worm mixing and little leaf litter so moulds are little threat. Stone pots and soil based composts for holding down potted plants are normal. Beans on poles are nearly impossible as the canes blow out or the leaves are blown off the plants. Fabulous crop in the polytunnel! Enjoy your 'season of mists and mellow fruitfulness', season of howling gale and lashing rain here! 😉🤣

[@intuitlife]

Happy this came up Have cutting for trees I plan to sell online Walnut grit good?

[@MikeKincaid79]

I've never heard of it but after looking it up, it would probably be a good material to use. I'm guessing it drains right through so you may want to mix about 2 parts of peat in to help hold some moisture.

[@Faisal_Afr]

I tried rooting rhododendrons in potting soil just to see, yeah it didn't work. I knew from your videos it won't work but I had to try for myself.

[@MikeKincaid79]

It's important to experiment so good on ya for trying.

[@bullohcambium8084]

Salam sejahtera dari Indonesia Mr.. trimakasih.tutorial sangat membantu. 👍🙏❤️

[@MikeKincaid79]

Anda sangat dipersilakan.

[@VirginiaFruitGrower]

Wow great tips on propagation! Dang man you have a zillion subs lol

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks so much! I really enjoy the community we've built here. It's been a lot of fun. I love the private garden tours you do on your channel. Keep it up!

[@cynthialuke5042]

I have a beautiful lilly garden last couple of years Japanese beetles been taking it over. Been using nemo oil and milky spores plus picking them off. Help

[@MikeKincaid79]

I don't have issues with them so I'd have to read up on this.

[@davidmcclellan9959]

HAPPY HALLOWEEN MIKE LOVE MIKE LOVE DAVID😀😀😀😀😀

[@MikeKincaid79]

Happy Halloween buddy

[@Dreamzz101]

I have several baby boxwood bushes I planted to make a hedge fence , they are on a walk way , but a few of them got trampled .. I picked up the little branches and stuck them in a pot with a mix of soils.. its all I had.. I now have several more baby box bushes ...lol... I have put cages around the others so they don't get trampled anymore but wow!.. now I don't know where to put these new ones..lol.. I love propagating plants tho .. I find myself trying to propagate every plant I can.. tips like you give me help so much.. ty

[@MikeKincaid79]

That's great that they rooted for you! Yes, this is about the best hobby you could pick up, and very rewarding. Have fun!

[@anya229]

Can you start cuttings in just coir? I assume the same principles apply as described here with the fir bark? Love your "style"!! Greettings from Quebec Canada

[@MikeKincaid79]

Yes, absolutely! Coir is a great material to root cuttings.

[@SampatHarish]

Hi Mike, Greetings from Atlanta. Your videos are simply great. You really know how to explain and make propagation a fun. 8 weeks ago, I put hydrangea cuttings in coco coir. It has started rooting but not as much as one would like to see. Couple of questions: 1. Should i transfer cuttings into a pot with potting soil? 2. Should I leave it in coco coir ? 3. Can I use some rooting fertilizer? 4. Last one. We get freezing temperature 2-3 times every year. During those days, should I leave them outside? Or bring them into garage? Thank you so much,

[@MikeKincaid79]

8 weeks ago would have been late August/early September, which is fairly late in the season so it can be a little of an uphill battle. Hydrangeas that are rooted well can withstand freezing temps but those temps will be tough on cuttings that only have tiny roots. Don't try to transplant now, just leave them in their pots. I would either bring them into a protected environment through the winter or bring them inside your house and grow them through the winter. Next summer, start taking cuttings earlier in the summer and they'll be very well rooted by fall.

[@antsfur]

Perfect timing i have some lilac small branches that i want to use for cuttings would your potting compost be suitable? Thanks, good video.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Yes, absolutely.

[@comebackking7446]

Good advice, I'm going to try this. I've tried to root a few types of mulberry by just sticking a cutting in the ground and it's not worked yet. I'm a little surprised that none have taken. Funny enough I use bamboo from our property to mark where I've planted rows of vegetables. Often the bamboo stick will actually take root. I live in Central Florida where you can chop almost anything, stick it in the ground and it will grow (except mulberries apparently).

[@MikeKincaid79]

What time of year and type of wood are you using?

[@comebackking7446]

Middle of the summer, I stuck them where I wanted them long term so full sun. I used a few types of cuttings from more green from younger branches to pretty woody from some older but not old branches. A few looked like they were going to make it but alas they perished.

[@ai-pq4yq]

I only use peat moss and local dirt 50/50 mix works like a charm but it depends on you local dirt my dirt is dence like clay so use more peat moss like 70/30

[@MikeKincaid79]

Sounds like a good material

[@guymcintyre2662]

ive had good results with strait peat-moss or coco-coir

[@MikeKincaid79]

Yep, they work great too as long as you don't overwater.

[@guymcintyre2662]

@@MikeKincaid79 i use transparent containers easyer to see how wet the medium is for me anyway

[@theduck7456]

Another great video. Ive been watch for three year now and I've been looking for fir bark in Pennsylvania. I believe i do have a problem with using potting soil, because my clippings are rotting and taking a long time to rot. So, if you didn't have fir bark, what would you use( personally). I have use sand and it is heavy... would you use peak moss? Perlite? Or a combination of several items. Please give us a mix that we all can get. The best you can. Thanks for all that you do. I'm A Big Fan of Yours

[@MikeKincaid79]

I made a video about this. Hopefully it helps give you an idea of what to use. I can see I’ll have to start packaging for bark and shipping it around the country, lol. Thanks for all your support and here’s the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m327eaxqdplgrs0

[@GS-wh4zr]

I rooted blueberry bushes based on one of your previous videos. They rooted very well and I individually potted them a few weeks ago. I'm in Pennsylvania, and would like to know what you would recommend to do next to get them through the winter. They are all still green with their leaves . Stems are 2- 3 inches tall. Thanks for your videos...

[@MikeKincaid79]

They are very cold hardy and you shouldn't have to do much of anything with them. Just keep them in a protected place. Your back porch with an awning will do fine. If you're really worried about them then you can put them into an unheated garage or shed for the winter but be sure to keep the medium moist. You will probably only have to water lightly once every 3 months or so.

[@user-jk5kq8ev8g]

Hey there. Wonderful videos! I'm obsesses with plants LOL. Where can I find that fine fir mulch? I would like to try to propagate some roses. Thanks.

[@MikeKincaid79]

I get mine at a local landscape supply business. Glad you enjoy the videos!

[@anitaoleksy5470]

I use "cactus mix" for just about everything. I've learned to water a bit less than I want to (I tend to overwater 🙄) and from the bottom. I think that I have a fair "take" on my cuttings. What you say does make sense, though! Maybe I'll try some in sand.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Good luck!

[@dannyschmith529]

Hy Mike I just collected some seeds from my Christmas cactus and I want to plant them but I'm not sure what material I should use, not sure if you have any experience with Christmas cactus. Love your videos

[@MikeKincaid79]

I don't have any experience with them but if I were to plant seeds from them I'd use a fine potting soil. Seeds are different than cuttings in that they contain everything they need to grow into a plant, defenses and all. You can plant seeds in just about anything and they'll start growing. The things to consider are how deep to plant them and do they need stratification. My mother in law has a christmas cactus in full bloom right now and it's beautiful!

[@dannyschmith529]

@@MikeKincaid79 ok thanks anyway

[@grannypantsification]

@@dannyschmith529 I had luck just sprinkling them on slightly moistened potting soil in a red solo cup covered in plastic wrap and placed in a south facing window ledge. I forgot all about them for a few months and when I looked at them they had grown up and tented the plastic wrap! I’m not sure this will work for you, but it sure worked for me. My question now is do I thin them or leave them clumped together?

[@dannyschmith529]

@@grannypantsification I think would thin them

[@davidmcclellan9959]

THANKS YOU MIKE YOUR MY BESTRIEND LOVE DAVID😀😀😀😀

[@MummaMia5]

I have a variegated monstera cutting and it’s in perlite and not doing well. Any suggestions?

[@ramchillarege1658]

Great explanation. Just starting out with some propagation and I mixed up some old compost and sand. Many need to remix that with more nutrient deficient material. I have a heap of some ground up twigs from spring. Would that be too rich? or OK? It still has a yellow look to it, since the summer in Raleigh has been not too bad and its been raining a lot.

[@MikeKincaid79]

I don't recommend using materials that are prone to rot and breaking down quickly. This can invite unwanted molds and fungus. I'd try to stick with an inert material. Here's a video about rooting medium: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m327eaxqdplgrs0

[@dannymajestici6344]

Just recently subscribed to your podcast You are easy to listen to the way you explain things Keep on trucking ! I would like to buy stuff from you but I don’t have any social media accounts Pls let me know how I can purchase from you

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks, Danny! Don’t have anything for sale at this time.

[@thefullmers]

Thanks for all your info about plant propagation. Sorry for so many questions, but here goes: Best way to overwinter (zone 7) newly rooted Impatiens, cut in mid September? Keep in mulch or sand and fertilize or transplant into pots now? Keep in bins near my house, in bins on unheated enclosed porch, or put directly into soil now? Same question for boxwoods, cherry laurels, and Rhododendrons -- all cut 6 weeks ago but without any roots yet. I cut about 300 at various times and all have rotted, so trying shredded mulch, sand, and a 50% mixture of each. Lots of success with Hydrangea though. AND. Question about shredded mulch. Is bagged 'shredded mulch' from a big box store equal to the shredded mulch that you use for propagation medium?

[@MikeKincaid79]

Impatiens won't make it through freezing temps so you'll have to bring them indoors. The other plants you mentioned do well through the winter if left outside to root in a propagation frame on bottom heat. There are so many different types of shredded mulch that change based on the part of the country you're in. I'd go with my qualifications, that the material drains well and is inert.

[@thefullmers]

@@MikeKincaid79 Thanks very much, Mike. My mulch looks a little less shredded than yours, so I mixed half mulch and half building sand, especially for the hard wood cuttings. You're the man!

[@Elliotbrown008]

Hi Mike, would you recommend putting fir bark in the microwave prior to use to prevent fungus gnats? Great videos by the way!

[@MikeKincaid79]

I’ve never tried it and it might stink up your kitchen but sure, why not. You could also pasteurize it in a 5 gallon bucket with boiling water.

[@ruthfurlow1943]

Hello 👋. I was wondering if you ever rooted hydrangeas and snow ball bushes by the lower limbs, just lay on the ground, place a rock or stone on it, and it continues to grow and root. I do this and then just use a shove to cut past a node, pop it up from the surrounding dirt, keeping dirt on the roots and place them in a spot I've dug out to fit the smaller root ball. Then I have a new plant. Just asking if you have tried this?

[@MikeKincaid79]

Yes, it's called layering. You can even do a method called 'serpentine' layering, in which you have multiple points of the same branch touching the ground.

[@ruthfurlow1943]

I do have multiple areas of the same branche that rooted, long enough to get multiple plants

[@nafisanabiel2457]

Hi mike, love your videos, one of my fig cutting survived. I want to repot it to a bigger pot. What kind of soil should I use that my fig cutting doesn’t die.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Figs are very hardy growers. Once it's fully rooted, you can pot it up into just about any potting soil you want.

[@nafisanabiel2457]

@@MikeKincaid79 thanks so much. God bless you. Sorry I forgot to ask. Can I repot it now in November or wait for spring?

[@j03150315]

Hi! I got a Tradescantia Blushing Bride cutting. It got two new roots in water but one leaf started to turn yellow… I moved it to potting soil, hoping it would root better there, but according to this video, I am worried that I did it wrong… Could you help??? ✨🙏🙏🙏

[@disappointedmoose1462]

Hi Mike. I only have coarse bark where I live. Would mixing potting soil and coarse bark be a good idea to get best of both worlds? Thanks

[@MikeKincaid79]

You can use potting soil, just don't overwater it, and yes, mixing the bark may be helpful.

[@francessmith8930]

Hi Mike, we understand the medium that you are using for routing cuttings, but what about those of us who don’t have access to the kind of material that you were using? What can we use

[@MikeKincaid79]

I created a video about that here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m327eaxqdplgrs0

[@texas77563]

Hi Mike in Texas we have composted pine bark and pine bark mulch. our local citrus guru panzarella likes to pot citrus in the composted pine bark so if I made your rooting method work with the composted pine bark it would work great with citrus and a ph lowering compost for other trees and berries, so that would be efficient to use for rooting or would the pine bark mulch work better or pine isnt good at all? Thanks for the great videos

[@MikeKincaid79]

I'm sure pine bark would work well. Composted pine bark would work better for rooted plants and fresh finely ground pine bark would work better for cuttings.

[@rehanarahman6672]

Please let me know when is the right time to grafting for figs and guava plants I live in California and my plants are one year old

[@MikeKincaid79]

I would start that in early spring, when the weather starts to warm up but before the new buds break.

[@sales4malidadfoods655]

Thanks Mike what is that material is it saw dust

[@MikeKincaid79]

Finely ground fir tree bark

[@verahospedales262]

Hi its me again I was able to get a piece of roast to root by using the bubble method I did not cut the roast before wrapping it with moss and a plastic bag and I did get roots which was a surprise to me now that I have roots and I did cut it off today what should I use to plan it in regular potting soil or is there a special potting soil to plant roses please help I don't want it to die

[@Elliotbrown008]

Hi Mike, great video. Is composted bark fines, the same as your fine fur bark?

[@MikeKincaid79]

Yes, but without the composted part. Composted bark would work better as potting soil and fresh bark is better for cuttings.

[@Elliotbrown008]

@@MikeKincaid79 thank you, so it’s literally just fir bark, I like to over complicate things, thinking there is some special ingredient! i can get Pine in my area rather than Fir bark . Would this product work in the same way? Many thanks again Mike

[@dorisgreenberg2811]

Ok, what medium for rooting elderberry cuttings. And should I take cuttings now,(Minnesota, in November) or wait til spring.

[@MikeKincaid79]

For hardwood cuttings I prefer to wait until late winter, just before the buds start emerging and growing. That way they have all summer to grow roots and establish. Elderberry can be rooted just like the grapes I did in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l32pp51_m9qoes0

[@judybarker3117]

Also, don’t some commercially sold seedling mixes contain pasteurized soils?

[@MikeKincaid79]

Some do, yes, and I suppose you could use them as long as you don't overwater.

[@mohammadaliadnan8982]

Some plants will root in water, but cuttings will develop a better root system when rooted in a soil-less potting mix. Sand or perlite can also be used, especially for cuttings that need good drainage and may rot if kept too wet.

[@WatercolorWizardry]

From the time of cutting and planting, about when do we start fertilizing? Also, what is the best fertilizer for rhododendron cuttings? My rhododendrons are over 60 years old and very tall, like trees. They are truly amazing. We are moving next month and can't take them with us so I'm doing cuttings. I didn't even know this was possible. I'm hoping things work out. 🙏

[@MikeKincaid79]

It is very possible. I've rooted thousands of rhododendrons cuttings over the years. The fertilizer doesn't matter as long as it's formulated for broad leafed evergreens. You can find slow release fertilizers for these plants at most big box stores. Don't fertilize until they've rooted. I do have a video about the fertilizer I use: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGalg42te6qYa5I Good luck with your cuttings!

[@WatercolorWizardry]

@@MikeKincaid79 awesome. Thank you so much!