Peach cuttings ( I think)

Anth · Post by **Anth** » August 2nd, 2012, 2:50 pm

Hi all
I work as a florist and we get all kinds of branches come in , from maple , elm, magnolia, blossom you name it!
About 2 months ago we got some sticks in we were told peach sticks. We use them dry in display and flower arranging. These ones in-particular had no leaves, buds or any sign of life . I put them in a bucket that I didn't even know had water in it and slowly been using them in my work.
Today I came in and found this

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On further inspection I found this

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About 6 out of 15 stems have roots.
How can I transplant these from the bucket of water to a pot of soil? I have had this happen with magnolia before but they did not survive the transplant.
Anyone have an Idea how I can make this happen.

MattA · Post by **MattA** » August 2nd, 2012, 2:57 pm

Hey Anth,
Great job

Since their is no growth evident yet you should have no problem with potting them. I would remove the existing roots completely as they will only die in potting mix & could introduce rot.
Matt

Edit: I would also remve any flower buds as they will just draw energy you need to make growth.

Anth · Post by **Anth** » August 2nd, 2012, 3:26 pm

Should I pot them in sand or bonsai mix?
Is and rooting hormone needed?

MattA · Post by **MattA** » August 2nd, 2012, 4:47 pm

No need for rooting hormone as they have already started making roots. Your usual potting mix will be fine just be careful not to overwater until they are growing strongly.

shibui · Post by **shibui** » August 2nd, 2012, 8:46 pm

Anth,
These are just at the stage where I would normally pot up cuttings so i don't believe roots will die when potted up. No need to remove the roots! just shorten them back to reduce chances of breaking them and pot up carefully (these new roots break off very easily) into any good potting mix- bonsai mix would be ideal. I would shorten the stem back to about 15 cm long so there will not be too many shoots demanding food and water from the new roots. Always remove flowers if possible as they draw a lot of energy. Keep humidity up until they are well established. No need for hormone now that roots have started.
I was not aware that peach could strike roots but they do look like peach so I will have to try some and see. Thanks for the hint.

Hackimoto · Post by **Hackimoto** » August 2nd, 2012, 9:06 pm

I'd almost bet that the cuttings were in a very light, if not sunny situation and the water was shallow. I've found that cuttings struck in water only do so in those conditions. Long cuttings placed in deep water only grow roots in the top layer of water where the maximum oxygen is, and the light is needed as bark also photosynthesises when it is young and still green. It is surprising what will strike under those conditions.

I sometimes put cuttings upright in a tin can with a nail hole about one or two centimetres above the base so it only holds that much water. I place these in a semi-sunny position on the bonsai shelves and under the sprinklers, so the water never dries up and is refreshed but never gets any deeper due to the nail holes. I got the idea years ago from twigs falling into my shed gutters, with shallow water in them, and striking roots. Doesn't work with everything though.

Anth · Post by **Anth** » August 3rd, 2012, 7:33 am

Hi shibui
Thanks for the advice. If u wanted to fuse them all together is it something I should do now or wait until they are established and then do it.

Hackimoto. They were in black bucket that was inside an old wooden fruit crete , not much light down there but goo light infront of them. You wright about the water not much at all, although I did put a bit more in when I discovered the roots.
I need to figure out a safe way to get them from work to home on the train so I can pit them up.

Hackimoto · Post by **Hackimoto** » August 3rd, 2012, 8:02 am

I meant good light on the tops, not in the bottom of the bucket. Hope they do well for you.

shibui · Post by **shibui** » August 3rd, 2012, 9:33 pm

Just wrap the base in a plastic bag to keep roots humid. They will not die off in just a few hours if humidity is high. I'd lay them on the seat with the bag hanging over the edge so there is no pressure on those new roots or if roots are just on one side lay them so that side is up. They will be strong enough to support the weight of a thin plastic bag.

I'm wondering why you would want to fuse these together? They could be left together now but any that don't root will die and need to be taken out later. They can also be put together at any time after they establish roots.
good luck with this project.

Anth · Post by **Anth** » October 1st, 2012, 7:45 am

Just an update on the cuttings,
Some if them I planted into potting mix and some in fine gravel . The ones in fine gravel seem to be doing better and off to a stronger start

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