Ever wonder why your propagations fail? You find the roots or leaves rotting? Maybe even little to no growth? First, let’s break down why they are rotting. This can stem from bacterial or fungal infections, lack of oxygen, or excessive moisture on the cutting.
I’m here to fix that and provide some tips that may just save your propagation.
Tip 1: Clean Your Equipment
A significant way to prevent bacterial or fungal infections is to. When you’re creating a cutting, it’s always best to have clean tools to minimise the risk of spreading bacteria or sap from other plants. You can use 70% isopropyl alcohol mixed with water in a spray bottle to clean your tools.
Tip 2: Changing Out the Water
Water isn’t the main ingredient that propagations use to grow roots. They also require oxygen to perform aerobic respiration and produce energy. Whilst leaves produce oxygen through photosyntehesis, roots cannot. This makes them entirely dependent on oxygen so be sure to change the water once a week, or even just top it up if you’re busy.
Tip 3: Prevent Submerging Leaves
One of the simplest but most important tips is to ensure that no leaves are submerged underwater. Leaves rot very quickly, so only the stem and node should be underwater. One to two leaves sitting above the waterline will help with photosynthesis and prevent rotting.
Tip 4: Free Them From Clusters
Sometimes, when there are too many roots or too many propagations in one vessel, they can actually suffocate. This is because they use up oxygen more quickly, and bacteria can develop faster if the water isn’t changed frequently enough.
Tip 5: Not Mandatory, But Handy
When plants grow in riverbanks, creeks, and other natural habitats, they are not just in water; they are part of an entire ecosystem that provides them with essential nutrients. From leaf decay in the water to fertilisation from local animals, the water is rich with nutrients that plants adore and thrive on. The best advice I have ever received is to use something that provides what they lack. Enrich Powder provides organic nutrients that mimic the biodiversity of water growing in the wild. Add a teaspoon of Enrich into your propagation vessel, and you’re good to go.
Propagation is a trial-and-error process, and learning from others makes all the difference. I hope this helps you on your journey, whether you’re just starting or growing your collection. Send us photos of your propagations at hello@wethewild.us or through our Instagram, Facebook: @WeTheWildOfficial.
