Propagate Plants Like a Pro (Part 1) | Building a Frame for Softwood Cuttings
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- čas přidán 3. 11. 2018
- Learn how to propagate plants like a pro with this simple to build plant propagation frame that is perfect for rooting softwood cuttings and some semi-hardwood cuttings. This Nearing frame is a huge step up from the plastic totes and bins that we've been using and your success rate will go through the roof with this propagation frame.
Go to the Website: propagateplantslikeapro.com
Check out my Wife's Channel: bit.ly/3hfX8fk
Products I Use Frequently:
Hormodin #3 Rooting Powder: amzn.to/3n5F9tS
Clonex Rooting Gel: amzn.to/37WqhJF
Dip N Grow Rooting Liquid: amzn.to/2WXIU9Q
Corona Shears: amzn.to/2WUS2Mt
Leaf Trimming Shears: amzn.to/38KrVxt
Orchard Lopper: amzn.to/2Jt5pAo
Propagation Tote: amzn.to/34WIdlB
Propagation Dome and Heat Mat Combo: amzn.to/37WqHQf
Indoor Grow Light: amzn.to/2WSxJiT
Grow Tent: amzn.to/37X01Pj
Instagram: / mike.kincaid
Propagation Group: / 346884795717132
Facebook: / kincaidsnursery
Twitter: / kincaidmj
This is the start of a little series about building a great little plant propagation frame that is perfect for rooting softwood cuttings and some semi-hardwood cuttings. Check out the website here: propagateplantslikeapro.com
what if you just cut the bottom out of your totes?
First time doing this. Really like the way mike presents.
Really like. A little confused how to get to members
I know it is pretty randomly asking but does anyone know a good site to watch new movies online ?
@Jayce Lane flixportal :D
The website will put you in the nursery business like a BOSS.
Paul, you've always had my back. Thanks.
a good source for tempered glass at a cheaper price is to find a coffee table at your local thrift store such as good will, st. vinny's etc.
Should get it a lot cheaper at a thrift store. Great idea, Dennis!
Great idea Dennis
And “Restore” and window companies will sometimes give away their old replaced windows
You can check the dumpster at those window companies too. If you’re into that
Thanks for the tip
Great job Mike. Glad to see you and Johnny back.
I use the same system all the time, I use sharp sand in mine its excellent for allowing the roots to run without them getting tangled. Always great success when I do propagate in it
the new level of diy seems to be a very helpful way to get the cuttings going. i used to do something like your box but dug a ditch in the ground and lined it with wood and conveniently found window frames to use over the top. go to it mike. regards, carmine p. --adios--.
Sounds like a safe way to overwinter them too.
I think I am going to go do this today.
Uwielbiam Twoje pomysły -cudowne :):):)
Hi mike, im new to your channel and i just want to say that i love all your ideas!! Going to have my husband cut some woood for this project!! You're great keep up the good work!!
Thanks 🙏
mic drop, This Video right here answered all of my questions about should I become a member! Boom you answered all of them and for such a great price. You are the man Mike I owe you a beer someday. Thank you! cheers man.
Glad you're getting what you need from the videos! That's what they're here for and I love hearing about the successes you have!!!
Hi Mike, I built my frame a few days ago. I had a dual pane wooden framed window panel left over from our remodel. I stuck my cuttings, hydrangea and azaleas, 3 days ago. Our weather has been in the high 90’s to low 100’s. My biggest worry was that they would cook! I put a temperature gauge inside to box. I was shocked! The air temp was 98, the temp in the box was 76. I’ve checked it many times! I’m stoked!!! 🤞 Thanks for all the great info!!😛😛
Awesome Pam! Just make sure the heat doesn't build. You can put a piece of plywood against the back to block the sun if it does. Good job and looking forward to hearing about the results!
Extremely impressive,top man. Regards from Epsom. Surrey. England
Mike I watch ya a lot and am totally into this back yard nursery stuff and really wanna know all I can!!!! Now I been doin a few things so right now I’m rooting and potting weeping willows. Along with them I’m becoming a green giant grower and planted 1k in my farm field !!!!! I bought them cuttings tho but need a full tree to go get my own cuttings I guess!!! Aside from them two things give me the easiest most liked things I can propagate for my backyard to earn money and supply my neighborhood cause they already love me lol…. I sold probably 400 vegetable plants this month!
Hydrangea
Thanks mike I'll give that a try
Thanks for your time. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
You're welcome, Graham.
Cool set up
Just want to say ive watched video after video and even though i started very late in the year i would like to say that this prop box has helped out tremendously i now have several rooted plants including fig trees, lady banks, and hydrangeas. Come spring time there is no telling what all will be put in a box just like this. Thank you mike for the information and knowledge that you have passed down to me. Continue doing what your doing bro look forward to new videos. Thanks
So glad you're enjoying the videos, Joseph, and that this little frame is working out well for you. Have fun next spring!
@@MikeKincaid79 У тебя ,друг, волшебная рамка, 👍Я сегодня сделал первый этаж) такой рамки для своих родиков. Ты волшебник, а мы учимся чудесам.
Thanks for the tips, I think I may adjust it just a bit for easier moving of the glass. I love all the tips!
You can use lightweight materials too, like plexiglass.
That is what I was thinking then I could make it bigger!
Great info! I would try this and either make a frame for the glass, and attach it with hinges to the back of the frame, adding the type of hinges to the sides used for a childs toy chest that keeps the top up, hands free. You can also use an old window, or glass "screen" door and make the frame the size of the door.
Glad you enjoyed the video! A framed in lid would be beautiful. I like to keep everything portable around here but if you have a definite spot to keep the frame then I say build it solid!
Awesome job man, I always learn tons here.
Thanks, glad to hear it, Sean!
Hey Mike !
You re wonderful gardening worker, great video to how what you doing it for planting !
I'll watch #2 !😁👋🌿
Awesome! Thank you!
@@MikeKincaid79 you're welcome, I always love watch more of your beautiful videos !😁😁👋🌿🌿
just came across this....great video.
Tempered glass is expensive.
I got a used coffee table of Facebook market place for $10. The glass just lifted off and its very thick too.
Made the frame to fit.
Perfect!
you got a awesome garden
Twinwall poly panel for lid is a good idea also. Not heavy, but easy to attatch with screws, won't shatter, and diffuses the light. What I'm building now, so I dunno if it works, but my study says it will.
Very simple and if it works for you it should work for me. Thank you.
It will work for you!
Thanks
Thanks for doing this Mike, you are the man!
Thanks for hanging out here, Dustin!
Great idea need to do one thanks for the input like it.
Awesome, thanks for watching!
I have to say, I love you for making this so yummy!!!
You are a cuttie pie. So smart too
I soak my medium with Captan a few days before I stick the cuttings. Never gets fungal issues.
johny never fails to crack me up hahaa
Lollll I googled "propagating plant frame" and your video was the top response I should have looked here first sorry Mike
hahaha
@@MikeKincaid79 you screwed up my life man (in the best way possible) all I can think about is plant propagation its taking over my dreams. I ordered two textbooks on it last night lol
Very useful video 👌🌲
Thanks a lot, Kalana!
Thanks, Mike. I love this tip. In NC and want to keep propositions indoors but every window in my house is Low E Argon filled. I cannot start seedlings inside, so this may be the solution.
Should work great for seedlings!
Very helpful! Now for this newbie to figure out how to make the frame 😬
I go into great detail about it on the website if you're interested!
@@MikeKincaid79 there doesn't seem to be a way to sign up as a member from my mobile device so I'm unable to view it. Do you have a link for that?
I'll have to look into it, thanks
I was just get ready to build a Propagation box almost just like the one you built in the video. But what inspired me was I was at a building salvage store and found a glass storm door for very cheap and it still still had it’s aluminum frame and hinges to the glass. My plan is to mount the hinge side on the back of the propagation frame so that I can just lift it up when I go to water or check on the cuttings or I can prop it slightly open if it’s too warm.
You're on the right track, Ed! I do the same thing, see a pane of glass and my mind gets to cranking. Careful though or you'll end up with a junkyard full of windows and your wife will have you sleeping in the dog house, haha.
Clever boy Ed
@@MikeKincaid79
Just a thought if there is A habitat for humanity store in your area you can go there and find widows and glass then purchase fairly cheap. The funds go to help build homes for others. Seems a win win for all
Use Redwood for the frame, we had a few frames like that and we never had to replace them.
Another great material for this. I've got one made of cedar and it lasts forever.
HI Mike! thanks for all your great videos! I love to watch them and get so much information and encouragement from your successes. We are wanting to either build a greenhouse or use a hoop house like what you have to start plants. Could you do a video on hoop houses and what are the best kinds or way's to use one. I've looked on the internet for some and most look very cheap. I would really like to be able to pull it back and just let the vegies grow without having to transplant them. Thanks so much!
Yeah, for sure. I can put a video together like that.
Going thru hard times, but I am gonna be a member one day.
No worries, I've got over 160 videos right here on CZcams.
lightsobrite you are already a member of the family. There is so much to learn on CZcams and the facebook page
OMG, I should have found this video back in 2018. Better late than never! lol
Glad you found it!
Cool deal! Thanks Mike, I didn't see you for a while.
I heard Johnny too😁😀
Hugs
Been busy with family but I've got a couple more coming in this series.
Johnny typically tries to steal the spotlight.....he crows at least once in nearly all vids I've seen so far, but am a fairly new subscriber.
Family comes before anything else! Hugs
What a salesman you are! I like it. I am sirprised about using glass. But it has blesses you with a bountiful career change.
I like using glass, it's timeless. As long as you don't break it, lol.
@@MikeKincaid79 Hi Mike have you propagated carnation cutting if so Plz upload a video
nice job
Thanks Vivian
Mike, love your videos! Do you have a video on how to propagate hibiscuses?
Not yet but I've been getting a lot of questions about it so it will have ti happen eventually.
Most places, you can find a used sliding glass door panel for about $25. If it's been made in the last 40 years, it will be tempered. I have 2x4s screwed to the back of my frame so I can stand the panel up. It would be possible to attach hinges to the aluminum frame but I want to be able to easily remove mine.
Yep, many options available. I have a larger frame that I've used sliding door windows on for years.
OK Home Depot I come, just hope they are starting to restock lumber at a reasonable price. Every since the pandemic started lumber is very hard to come by in North. Calif. Also have to put it on my back patio so will need to find a way to allow for drainage.
Enjoy your build!
The more I watch your videos, the more I like you. Planted my first cuttings today, hubby knocked some granches off of my hydrangea tree yesterday, so I did what you said in your soft wood video, and I'm going to give it a whirl.
Where do you order a hoop house from? Where can I order the fine fir bark from, never saw any around here.
I built the hhop house from scratch and I get the bark at a local landscape supply business.
What is too both for the propagation box. I have it in a semi shade area, but outdoor temps in mid 90s, so box is higher.
Hello, do we use frames all seasons or only summer ,
Cocopeat is good to use or only sand . Thank You
Hi bro I was thinking that is too much water when I took it out to the sun less water the small leaves started to fall I had to put back the way it was hhh
Hi! Mike! Thank you for the video of propagation. Can I reuse the media for propagating softwood cutting again for second batch of softwood cuttings? Thank you !
It depends on the medium but usually you can do that.
Great Video Mike, thanks. I've built a similar frame for rhodies, and I use sand. I put it under our deck, but near the edge so there is some natural light, but not as much as there would be on the north side of a building. I've had so-so results and I was wondering if you would recommend moving it out into more light but no sun or if you would recommend using bark for rhodies instead of sand. Thanks. I've also found that if you go to a window shop, they often have old windows they give away fro free so if you find one just a little bigger than your frame, you save some serious coin.
The window shop idea is a good tip. I definitely recommend getting as much overhead sky light as you can get to the frame, without getting direct sun. My success over the years has always improved with more light.
Thank you for the video! I just wonder do cuttings really need air? On this video you make a little space for air circulation but on one of your video "stop watering your cuttings" you have said that close the box and leave them alone for 4 or 5 weeks. As far as ı know that sealed box dont have holes or space for air. So which one do you suggest giving them a little air or just closing box completely until they root? Thank you, and love all your videos☺️
Both methods work but I prefer a system that will allow a little air flow in order to cut down on disease. The issue with giving space for air flow in a small tote is that it is so small that all the humidity will flow out easily, especially if you have pots of cuttings because there is less soil and less surface area to evaporate moisture. With my frames, they are larger and filled with medium so they evaporate a lot of moisture and keep the frame relatively humid.
MIKE ,wanted 2 share this with U re yr laurel privacy hedge.A friend in Essex had inconsiderate neighbours who had put up a leylandii hedge 16 " long &10 " high ,creating a featureless eyesore that ominously dominated my friends garden.At my suggestion my friend put in a BOBBIE JAMES @each end &a MADAME ALFRED CARRIERE in the middle to grow up &thru the hedge.In front 6 different clematis were installed in tubs.The eyesore ,in 2 yrs ,became a fragrant WOW feature that the whole neighbourhood envied!
Love your climbing/flowering plant ideas. We've got lots of trees around here to make that happen.
Thank you! your vids are amazing. I did your setup - How do I avoid getting mold on my cuttings?
You shouldn't have to worry about mold with this setup. If you do get some mold then try opening the lid for an hour or so or just crack the lid a little for a small amount of air flow. Also, if there's too much heat build up then the cuttings will be more prone to mold.
@@MikeKincaid79 thanks, will do. I took out one cutting and it was all white (15 days into the setup) because it looked like it was dying. was the white thing-> mold? if I have mold on where I putted the root hormone it means its dead?
@mikekincaid Well I'm gonna make a frame today! I live in the pacific NW as well and have a great spot on the north side of my house for this. My question is: can I have this just on top of the dirt and not have a metal grate or fabric on the bottom? thanks for a great video!
You can do that but over time you will get worms and possibly moles digging up through your frame.
Would love to see some videos on business development and selling to nurseries.
I've gotten a few requests for this so maybe it's time to put some thought into it. Thanks.
I would really love this also.
This is really cool info!
What would you recommend for propagating house plants in? All my plants are indoor and I’d love to start getting some cuttings and propagate. Just don’t know where to begin. Lol
All plants are a little different. Many houseplants can be propagated but just taking a cutting and putting them in a glass of water.
Would plexiglass do as good as regular glass? Thanks for sharing.
Absolutely, Ralph. You just may have to weigh it down so wind isn't a problem.
Hi bro I became a member I m very impressed. Question please I have a smaller fig tree I was soaking it in small container of water the tree growing when I remove the container I removed the the water it started to die dropping the small leaves crasy
Hey Mark, glad you got the videos! If you have any questions about anything just ask. About the fig, how long did you soak it? Sounds like too much water maybe? Try just potting it up now and let spring do the rest.
Hi Mike, all my rhodi cuttings failed that I stuck in the rooting frame last
September (about 100). I think I let the medium dry out. That’s a factor I’m not clear on - monitoring the moisture during the winter while the heat is on. Also, I might have had the temperature too high, which could have been a factor in the medium drying out.
So, a few questions:
1. How can the rooting frame be used during warmer months?
Do I need to replace the medium? (I was using sand and hardwood bark mulch). I know sand is draining. Maybe I need to mix in some compost to help hold moisture?
Thanks as always for your help.
Don’t mix in compost with your propagation frame. Just water more frequently. I don’t start the bottom heat until fall, when it gets cooler.
Hey mike absolutely awesome video very informative I have 2 question If you dont mind I just built my box now can I just use straight power sand and how long should I leave them in ? Thanks !
Yes, sand is a great medium for rooting cuttings. Leave them in their until the following spring.
@@MikeKincaid79 Thanks so much Mike your a really great person you inspire so many people What you do is special You are my favorite ytuber!
I like this! Maybe I missed it but how thick or tall is the wood for the frame they look 6" is that right please share if possible
The bottom frame is made with 2x8 inch boards and the top with 2x6 inch. I would recommend building both with the 2x8s
Thanks for the video! Can I just use sand that I have in my yard or is there a place to buy sand? Also, will this stay warm enough sitting outside during a winter? I have several tiny seedlings growing under my tree that I'm pulling up to plant and grow into trees!
Any sand will do. As far as the cuttings surviving winter, as long as the parent plant is cold hardy to your region, you should have no problem with the cuttings surviving. I recently made a video on the subject: czcams.com/video/G2oyd0CtEro/video.html
Mike I subscribe to your vidioe
I recently found your CZcams channel, thanks for putting so much Info out here lime this. My big question is the glass... I'm in Florida and we are already humid. I have a lots of Carolina Laurel to get cuttings from so I want to put a hedge row boarder around my property (only about an acre). Do I still need the glass?
You need the glass unless you take the cuttings as hardwood cuttings during dormancy.
@@MikeKincaid79 thank you
I got my friend Mike to build the propagation frame by your plans & detailed Instructions in the video. Now I just have to put the sand in and top it with rooting medium.
So a question now: how much time do I have from the time I take the rhododendron cuttings until I stick them? I am getting them from a location that is about 10-15 minutes away. If I put the ends of the cuttings in water in a bucket, do I have 30 minutes? an hour? two hours?
Thanks for all your help!
Awesome! So glad you found someone to help build the frame. The rhododendron cuttings will be fine for that amount of time. In fact, if you need to wait until the next day to stick the cuttings, you can put them in a plastic bag with a few sprays of water and put in the fridge overnight. They will actually last for days like that, or longer.
@@MikeKincaid79 Thanks again, and as always, Mike. That takes off the pressure. I’m so excited to get started.
Hi Mike, would sawdust work instead of the shredded mulch?
I wouldn't use sawdust. It attracts mold and fungus. Here's a video I did about rooting medium: czcams.com/video/eLXHy4A4-xk/video.html
Will it work for 50 thousand azlea cuttings ?? i want to use less space as much as i can so i do it on sand the cuttings are very tightly puton so its rooting this year.any tips??
Yes, yes, yes!!!!! This frame will work beautifully with azalea cuttings (evergreen azaleas). I don't propagate azalea anymore because the deer eat them like candy but about 10 years ago I used a similar frame and stuck hundreds of them and I think I got every single one to root. Take the cuttings in the late summer when it's still hot outside. Maybe I should do a video on this just for the sake of showing you!
thnx mike but this year all my azeals are getting rotten up do you have anything to say?? can i talk you personally ?
If you're on Facebook you can join our group "I Love Plant Propagation" and then you can post pics, ask questions, and get answers from other gardeners all over the world.
Line the back wall of the frame with kitchen foil -reflects the light &heat back into the box
Sounds like you're trying to turn my propagation frame into a solar oven, haha. Don't want any more heat but I like the idea for light.
Hi Mike I’m having very little luck on my Mimosa. Seeds will start but die at 3-4”. My cuttings of the same tree, well it was in November so I suppose that’s the problem. I tried cuttings on Texas Sage, Tropical Hibiscus @ Willow tree. The Willow tree has gone crazy good. I’m so happy. I do have Red Japanese I ordered. It’s a bare root & a bag of seeds. Any advise for the dead seeds and no go cuttings. Oh and do you sell and mail your rhododendron ?
I don't recommend using dried seeds but if you have them then I like to soak them overnight or for 48 hours in water and then stratify them moist in the fridge for 3 months. As far as the cuttings, it's hard to say what went wrong from my end but I usually like to take tree cuttings in the early spring and place on bottom heat. I don't mail order rhododendrons yet but many people have asked so I am thinking about setting that up in the future.
Mike, I can't find your member section or your website. I'm old and not too tech savvy. I want to learn all about the propagation frame but i need some direction to get to the resources you are mentioning at the end of this video. Thank you.
Sure, here's the website: propagateplantslikeapro.com There is a nominal fee to get the videos. Enjoy!
Could a person drill holes in the bottom of tote for drainage and some holes in the sides for a bit of air flow and fill it with mulch as you did in your frame?
Yes
Another question: the frame in this video is only 20x40”; the one in the long video is 24”x72” (2’x6’). Would it be better to have smaller frames for rooting different plants?
I got the lumber today for the large ones but I’m not clear why the different sizes.
Thanks for all your knowledge and good teaching!
I prefer the 2x6 frame and pretty much only use that frame at my place. I built the frame in this video years ago for a project of burning bush cuttings. The cuttings are smaller and didn’t need bottom heat.
I made myself one of these after watching the video and it turned out great! The issue I'm having though is that my cuttings burned up. I don't have a hoop house for shade so I added some shade cloth to the glass but apparently that didn't help because after 2 days my 80+ Japanese Maple cuttings were all brown. The box itself is in light shade for most of the day but the midday sun is able to shine on it which is why I thought the shade cloth would work. Any advice?
Glad to hear you build one of these. It's a great frame. As you've experience, shade cloth just won't work. Still allows too much direct sun and heat through. What you need to do is build a lean-to wall behind it with sides that block the sun but allow overhead light to get in. That's how I built my first frame before I built the hoop house. Doesn't have to be expensive or pretty. For that matter, you could even just prop some boards up to block the sun and I've done that as well.
@@MikeKincaid79 It's in an odd spot currently so I think I'll have to move it and get a board up against it. I'm just struggling to visualize the best orientation for it. If the box were to be completely exposed with a backboard slanted over it, what direction should I have the front facing? I can't figure out if the sun should be traveling across the box front/back or left/right.
Mike your videos are fantastic. I've been working on building a frame like this with some scrap lumber I had around. My question is, does it matter if the top is clear or white or frosted, etc? I was thinking about using an acrylic sheet as my lid and just hinging it. But I didn't know if clear would create too much heat inside the propagation frame . Thanks!
Thanks for the nice comment Doug! You can use acrylic if you want to. I know some people recommend painting the top white or using frosted glass but this is not necessary. If you paint it white it will block some sun but the inside will still heat up too much in the summer if it's in direct sun (in my experience). I've found that I get way better results but leaving the lid clear so that as much light as possible can get to the cuttings and then placing the frame in an area where there is a lot of overhead light but no direct sun (like on the north side of a building) or build a lean-to wall on the sun side of the frame to block direct sun.
@@MikeKincaid79 thanks Mike! I really appreciate how you get back to everyone with their questions. You run a great channel and are a great person! Keep up the good work!
@@MikeKincaid79 any suggestions on types of sand? Anything you've used from big box store than you might suggest? Trying to find coarse sand isn't as easy as I thought it would be.
Dougie acrylic wud be fine
Hi Mike,
Just on the sizes you have recommended part of your paid for video, I’ve got a 5ft glass panel I have spare, but you recommend 6ft… just wondering if I should make your system fit the glass I have or should I follow all your sizes including heating system and buy some new glass .
Also, could I use a plastic?
Thanks
Yes, you could use a plastic, such as plexiglass. If you have a 5 foot glass panel then make one that's 5 foot. I built my frame to fit the glass. I think the comparison I was making in the video was between my 6 x 2 frame and the 12 x 2.5. With the smaller frame, I was able to keep the heat levels up more consistently throughout the frame. That being said, if you had a larger frame, you could use more heaters. If I were you, I'd build the first frame to fit your glass. The smaller frames are easier to manage.
Thanks Mike 🙌
Hi Mike!! Me and my mate have done some Laurel cuttings about 3weeks ago and but 10% of them are going yellow already dose this mean their dying the rest still look nice and green at the moment ps love your vids!!.Mike
Hard to say without seeing them but just let them be and see what happens. A little yellow is ok and usually means the plant is starting to root (especially with laurel since they rarely rot). Good luck and keep us informed!
@@MikeKincaid79 thanks Mike we will keep the faith and fingers crossed!
I need to make one of these! On a flower note.. I recently had a nightmare of a time with some dahlia piñatas.. the lengths I went to for them to survive and bloom during the monsoons we had over the summer. GAH. question: are the bulbs (ones that you’ve taken up for the winter) supposed to have a kind of squishyness to them?
Uh oh, squishyness sounds like like rot to me, although I'm not there to look at them.
Mike Kincaid - Yes, if only you were my bulb inspector haha ☺️ I’ll keep them just to see what they do, but that was my first thought. I’d just never dug them up before so I don’t know how they should feel. Can always buy more. There’s just something about keeping the same plant alive or thriving every year that’s so fulfilling. Thanks! ^-^💜
Could I use Clear plastic Perspex instead of glass for the lid?
Absolutely
Hi Mike great video I'll become member after work today. Quick question. If you use sand as medium doesn't it drain water right through and dry out quicker than any other medium. How often do you need to water cuttings with sand as opposed to with fine bark ?
If the lid is left closed, you can water once a week or so depending on how dry the top of the sand looks. You really don't need that much water to root cuttings and that's the reason so many people end up with rotting cuttings.
@@MikeKincaid79
is this play box sand ?
Hey Mike, I am so excited to get started. I have watched the long video about building the Nearing frame (Member's Area). I think I can build it myself. I can't wait for my helper because he is busy with other work. And I need to get it ready NOW because i have rhodies that i need to take cuttings from NOW (Sept 23)! I am in Zone 7a, so i don't believe I need bottom heat through the winter. I will have the frame right against the house on the north side. We have pretty mild winters here; seldom below 10 degrees F. Am I correct about not needing bottom heat? Because I'm pretty sure I can build the frame but I would need help with the bottom heat part - PVC, pump, etc.
So awesome! I'm happy for you to get started. The bottom heat is not absolutely necessary, but helpful. If it's outside of what you can handle then just do it without the bottom heat and you'll still get a big percentage to root. It will take a little more time and patience but that's ok. The issue that arises without bottom heat is if your area goes through a lot of freeze thaw cycles during the winter. That can take a toll on the cuttings. But if it freezes and stays frozen for most of the winter then the cuttings will have an easier time surviving and rooting.
So if I can get a frame built this week with the bottom heat, I’m hoping I still have time to take cuttings before frost. Our lows here are still in the 50s to mid-40s.
I have a couple sources of cuttings. My question here is, how much time do I have from taking the cuttings to sticking them? My friend lives about 10 minutes away. So if I take the cuttings and put them in water there, would they be ok until I can get them stuck - maybe 30-45 minutes?
@@MikeKincaid79 About my recent question about time before sticking: I’m asking about rhododendron.
@@hosta127 Now that it's 8 months late and the wrong season to take rhododendron cuttings, you should be fine if you stick them in water. I frequently take cuttings of plants and stick them in wet paper towels or napkins to take them back to my house to deal with, and they usually do fine, even if they have to sit in the car for a while. Some plants will root in water with no extra input, but with rhododendron I wouldn't leave them in the water for more than a couple days, because the longer you leave them, the more likely some type of rot can set in.
I think I’m going to be making a frame with visqueen plastic as a cover. Much less thermoretentive than any glass or plexiglass.
I live in the Deep South and heat is an issue.
Sounds good, just don't let the sun hit it directly.
mike
can you use sand for all like soft semi and hardwood cuttings
yes
I have to go find some sand somewhere.
Size ALWAYS matters!... for plants that is.
It's not the size of the cutting that counts, it's how you root them, lol
Could I cut the bottom of the tote and attach my fabric to the bottom??
Sure, that would be fine
Mike....I share your passion for propagating. I made myself a small propagation box from a clear plastic bin with a light I put in the top of it using a CFL bulb I think it's a hundred Watts and I put little stones on the bottom to create humidity and I just looked in there today and some of my leaves are molding and some of my little house plants that I'm trying to root in dirt there is mold on top of the dirt and it wasn't like that before I added the stones. Any suggestions?
Take out the stones 😜
You've got too much moisture and possibly heat from the light.
Ok...will remove the stones, in meantime I rotated lid 1/4 ,of turn to allow air flow. Light is on 12 hrs a day.
Thank you😊
How do uou know the cutting is rooted for sure?
They talk to me, lol, just kidding. I've just had enough experience over the years to tell when most cuttings have good roots. Sometimes I dig down a little to see what's going on. The main thing is to have a set it and forget it mentality. Just stick the cuttings, keep them watered, and don't disturb until the following growing season. If they haven't rooted by then, they'll let you know.
so mike if I'm going to go buy the exact soil mix your using here what do I go get? lol sorry when you get time type out the formula for me. lol keep up the good work btw
No formula, it's just finely ground fir bark. It's a byproduct of the logging industry around here and people use it for mulch in their yards.
no sand added with it correct?
no sand in this but you could use just straight sand if that's all you had access to.
Hilo, when i propagate plant in icu method its make musty on the plant wood
What is the icu method?
The gap between the two frames should be air tight due to that those cuttings sitting near these cracks might use longer time to root. I know this from 40 years of experience he he, i'm getting on a bit he he. But I like your videos, some things doesn't apply to where I live but, then one just have to make it fit ones climate to make it work.
Hmmm begonias probably wouldn't survive in this would they, it would still get too cold in the winter for them right?.
Not if you had some bottom heat.
Just what I was hoping for. Mike, I have a late 19th one room school house on my property. When I remodeled it and replaced the original windows I kept them thinking they would make a great cold frame. They are the old wavy glass windows so have no u.v. protection to them. Will this old, true glass be a good choice for a cold frame or will they allow too much sun in and kill the plants by overheating?
They should work great but you don't want to place the frame in a place where the sun will hit the glass.
@@MikeKincaid79 PART SHADE OR ON THE NORTH END OF A BUILDING?
North end of a building where no sun will hit it but you get as much overhead light as possible. Some people use shaded locations with filtered sun but you can run into trouble on a hot day.
@@MikeKincaid79 - I got it. Thanks for the helpful information.
Mike how often do you release new videos? I know with the pinkie on the Blink you may be slowed down to our mere mortals speed
But cant wait for new ones.
LOL, I post randomly but try to get out at least 6 videos a month during spring and summer.
Could you flip your two frames around to give you more head space?
Sure, I suppose so.
So will this work for hardwood cuttings too? I see in the title it says softwood and in video you said softwood and sometimes semi hardwood. - better yet what about this box makes it not good for hardwood cuttings if that is the case? Thanks
It will work for hardwood cuttings but you will have better luck either putting in bottom heat or warming the bottoms of the cuttings for a couple weeks to build up callous and then sticking them in the frame.
Mike Kincaid thanks. I ask because I have not had much luck with any plastic totes etc. maybe 5% lol. I want to build something outside. I don’t have a greenhouse - but outside that I can use for all kinds of cuttings all year!
Not sure if you've been to my website yet but my program goes into detail showing you how to build the exact frame I use to propagate all types of cuttings throughout the different seasons.
Mike Kincaid i will check it out
Would this work well with hardwood cuttings ?
It works very well for hardwood cuttings. If you add bottom heat, you'll have even greater success with semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings. I have instructions for building it in the paid area on my website.
Ok I don’t have fine bark but I have perlite and some sand and peat moss would these together work for a medium?
They sure would. Sand works really well all on its own too.
Ok thanks so my next project is rooting baby gem boxwood cuttings……. Do you have a video on that?
@@MikeKincaid79 so I was gonna use 2x6 for bottom frame and 2x10 for top frame your thoughts?
Sounds perfect to me.
Hi Mike, all the way from South Africa!! Will this setup work for semi hardwood cuttings as well, specifically making rose cuttings?
Yes, absolutely. Only other thing you could do is add bottom heat for the winter.
@@MikeKincaid79 thank you. We are approaching spring/summer in South Africa so I do not think I will need it. Our average day temperatures in summer is about 32°C.
That will work out well. Bet you’re looking forward to spring.
@@MikeKincaid79 absolutely!! Our summers in South Africa are quite long. Spring start mid August then summer kick off in November right to the end of February. Autum start round about mid March and winter in May. First frost is usually about mid May.
How about BlackBerry bush
Got a couple videos about that too. Part 1) czcams.com/video/YP5QHHbV3Vg/video.html Part 2) czcams.com/video/8sjVF3sdlKw/video.html