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Cuttings - newbie!

So I made cuttings from a lavander and a climbing rose in late September. Before potting the cuttings, I dipped them in a rooting powder.

2 months on, how can I tell that if there are roots or are they dead?

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Comments

  • FlorayG
    FlorayG Posts: 1,571 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    DON'T! Don't touch them or disturb them at all until spring. You will know then - if they have 'taken' they will sprout leaves, if they haven't nothing will happen. If you disturb them now you will break any tiny roots just starting. Remember they go dormant over winter so you won't see anything, but if any go obviously black and soggy pull those out
  • Farway
    Farway Posts: 14,166 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Homepage Hero Name Dropper
    Only to second what Floray said, leave them alone!
    And don't mollycoddle them, either.
    Come spring some will shoot & some won't, the green ones are the ones you want of course, but even then leave alone, let them grow on where they are until really growing strongly


    Eight out of ten owners who expressed a preference said their cats preferred other peoples gardens
  • Thank you both! 

    I am glad that despite their brown and lifeless appearances, they are not dead (yet?)!

    So spray and make sure that the soil doesn't dry out as normal and of course fingers crossed, at least one will shoot.

    The pots are currently on the window sill - should I cover them with a clingfilm or similar to keep them warm?
  • Farway
    Farway Posts: 14,166 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Homepage Hero Name Dropper
    Thank you both! 

    I am glad that despite their brown and lifeless appearances, they are not dead (yet?)!

    So spray and make sure that the soil doesn't dry out as normal and of course fingers crossed, at least one will shoot.

    The pots are currently on the window sill - should I cover them with a clingfilm or similar to keep them warm?
    No, shove them outside, maybe near wall just to stop the pots freezing solid
    Let the rain water them, they are hardy plants, that is what I meant by not mollycoddling, they do not want or require any warmth or protection.

    Eight out of ten owners who expressed a preference said their cats preferred other peoples gardens
  • Farway said:
    Thank you both! 

    I am glad that despite their brown and lifeless appearances, they are not dead (yet?)!

    So spray and make sure that the soil doesn't dry out as normal and of course fingers crossed, at least one will shoot.

    The pots are currently on the window sill - should I cover them with a clingfilm or similar to keep them warm?
    No, shove them outside, maybe near wall just to stop the pots freezing solid
    Let the rain water them, they are hardy plants, that is what I meant by not mollycoddling, they do not want or require any warmth or protection.

    Wonderful thank you! I will bring them out then and let nature take care of the rest! :)
  • twopenny
    twopenny Posts: 6,830 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    If it's any comfort I've been growing from cuttings for years and mine that were healthy and green now look mostly like yours.
    I think I made the mistake (well it was a toss up what would work) and took them from one pot and gave them individual ones just before the cold came in.
    I'm struggling not to throw them but wait. It's surprising what survives and thrives :)

    And a gardener told me to take cuttings August - October. That works well - usually..........

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  • FreeBear
    FreeBear Posts: 17,260 Forumite
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    twopenny said: And a gardener told me to take cuttings August - October. That works well - usually..........
    But for some plants, taking cuttings in the spring works better.

    Her courage will change the world.

    Treasure the moments that you have. Savour them for as long as you can for they will never come back again.
  • It sure is a minefield there - as a software engineer, if I make a mistake I can always undo quickly. Not so for someone who started only last year!

    The rose we inherited is too tall (apparently 10-12 years old?) and growing out of the fence hence the cuttings and we are looking to cut it right down to our chest level so we can enjoy the flowers at shoulder level!

    Is now in December a good time to prune it far and hard?
  • Farway
    Farway Posts: 14,166 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Homepage Hero Name Dropper
    It sure is a minefield there - as a software engineer, if I make a mistake I can always undo quickly. Not so for someone who started only last year!

    The rose we inherited is too tall (apparently 10-12 years old?) and growing out of the fence hence the cuttings and we are looking to cut it right down to our chest level so we can enjoy the flowers at shoulder level!

    Is now in December a good time to prune it far and hard?
    Yes, BUT you should try & identify the rose first, or you may not get 2025 flowers, and hard pruning will make the blighter grow a lot taller than shoulder level

    Could you take a photo for us to see if anyone can offer practical pruning advice?
    Have you a photo in flower to help identify it?

    Eight out of ten owners who expressed a preference said their cats preferred other peoples gardens
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