when trying to grow roots from a cutting is it a better idea to put the cuttings in a dark place rather than?

Question

a light place.

Answer 1

Generally a dark place is better - you want to ease your new plant into life, not shock it too much with too much sunlight.

Answer 2

It's a little difficult to say for sure without knowing what kind of plant you are attempting to root. I raise African violets, but also occasionally root other types of plants; the following is the way I do it:

If you are attempting to root a green cutting, then you still need to keep the cutting alive while the roots are forming. Light is important to this process; warmth can also speed root development.

If you are attempting to root a "woody" cutting, it would be helpful to get a small packet of rooting hormone from your local nursery; dip the cut end of the stem into the hormone, then put the cut end with the hormone into a pot of good-quality moist soil. Again, your plant will need light to continue making food while it is growing roots.

Be sure to keep the soil for your cutting moist, but not wet; your cutting needs air around its new roots as they form, so that they do not rot.

About the only kind of plant that I'm willing to root in plain water is pothos ivy (the "heart-shaped" type); just about anything else will fail to root in plain water, and I recommend using good-quality sterilized potting soil as a rooting medium (most soils you get in a package have been sterilized). Don't use garden soil, as it tends to have many organisms in it that can create problems for new roots.

Answer 3

Your cuttings should be put in a container that is dark this helps rooting , the cutting can stick out of the container in the light , but the stem end will root faster if in the dark

Answer 4

Depends on the plant. Some root easily when placed in a clear container of water on a sunny window sill. Others prefer to be treated with Rootone, pushed into a pot of soil, and placed in a clear plastic bag. when you see new leaves, you have roots. Put in dark, nothing will happen other than the cutting die.

Hi Dances -- long time.

Water starts are easy. A few things I have successfully rooted in water are: begonia, impatiens, gardenia, geranium, thyme, hibiscus, beauty berry, philodendron, coleus, willow, and many many more. When in doubt, plunk it in water.

Answer 5

Cuttings don't need a lot of light until they have rooted. That's not to say they should be in complete darkness though. A shady spot would be sufficient. Once they're rooted they do need sunlight.

Answer 6

I don't think it would make a difference you must remember don't expose the root to the elements (wind, direct sun light) you should keep it in the water until its time to put it back in the ground, I can't say in what month since I don't know who seasons work where you live but usually its in Autumn or spring (depending on the plant)

Answer 7

when i get cutting. first i trim it. then put it in a cup of water on the window sill. at the same time i can keep an eye on it. watching the roots grow