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Growth Control of Rooted Cuttings

Fri, Feb 3rd, 2023, created by W. Garrett Owen

The time to stick and propagate unrooted cuttings is here and so is the time to think about methods to control growth of rooted cuttings. In the ideal situation, rooted cuttings would be toned and then transplanted into containers. However, spring is busy, and most times, rooted cuttings do not get transplanted on time and need to be held. Holding cuttings for a period of time can cause unwanted plant stretch or a mounding effect across the propagation tray. Stretched cuttings often have thin, weak stems and can easily break during transplanting or cause uneven plant growth. Methods to control stretch in rooted cuttings includes planning and scheduling cutting stick and finish times, accordingly; managing the light environment, temperature, moisture, and fertility levels; applying a plant growth regulator; and/or pinching the cuttings. These options can be deployed independently or collectively to control shoot growth of rooted cuttings so that you can produce high quality plants this spring. 




About the Author:

W. Garrett Owen

Assistant Professor of Sustainable Greenhouse and Nursery Systems, The Ohio State University

W. Garrett Owen is an Assistant Professor of Sustainable Greenhouse and Nursery Systems in the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science at The Ohio State University. He has an appointment in research, teaching and Extension. His area of expertise is plant nutrition; plant growth regulation; and production problem diagnostics.

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