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Penstemon cuttings

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  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    Lyn said:
    Up to 2 weeks I would think, it’s not something I’ve ever timed. I suppose it depends where you have them, I always do mine in the kitchen.
    I took these 3 week ago tomorrow and they ( mostly ) all look fine still, but not a root amongst them.
    Devon.
  • Crikey you have got a lot of penstemon cuttings there.  I only have a small plant and was able to only take 4 cuttings - about 2 - 3 weeks ago.  I don't have any sign of roots either.  Have you changed the water in your jars - it looks crystal clear.
  • I know what you mean @AnniD this is my first move without a greenhouse,just not enough room to have one, but I did get moaned at all winter and spring for filling up the kitchen window sills!  However OH was very happy to sit out, in amongst the flowers during the summer! He's very kindly put up some shelves for me in the porch now.........filled with cuttings already!
    The whole truth is an instrument that can only be played by an expert.
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    @Valley Gardener ,I wanted to take some pelagonium cuttings, as demonstrated on Beechgrove last week, but they really need to be kept indoors. I have a couple of coldframes and an unheated greenhouse, but l'd have kept them in the spare bedroom - and that ain't going to happen! With regard to the penstemon cuttings, there's still no sign of roots, so l have taken some more using the root powder way. Haven't given up on the water ones yet though!
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Hostafan1 said:
    Lyn said:
    Up to 2 weeks I would think, it’s not something I’ve ever timed. I suppose it depends where you have them, I always do mine in the kitchen.
    I took these 3 week ago tomorrow and they ( mostly ) all look fine still, but not a root amongst them.
    I would split the middle jar up a bit, also cut the debris off from the bottom of the stalks. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • I have a jam jar with Verbena,Salvia Sensation Blue ( Which performed better than East Friesland) and Husker Red Penstemon,as I see little hairy roots I'm taking them out and potting up! I prepped them all as if they were going into compost.This is the first time of trying the water method,and a big thank you to all of you that advised it,much simpler,and you know for sure they've taken! I think there will be money saved for sure for next summer.
    The whole truth is an instrument that can only be played by an expert.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Don’t be in a rush to pot up, make sure there’s plenty of root, if they are too fine they could rot when covered in compost.
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Had a check on them @Lyn, as you say don't put them in with too fine a root,but so far so good with a bit of extra growth on the top,in fact I'm pinching out flowers buds on the Coreopsis. They are about 3" high and should be really hardy,probably best kept in the porch through the winter though?
    The whole truth is an instrument that can only be played by an expert.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    edited September 2018
    I keep them in for the first winter, but it gets very cold, frosts up to May and very windy. Although this year has been the calmest I’ve ever known it on the moors. 

    Edited to add ....  don’t worry about the penstemon cuttings going mouldy through the winter, it’s inevitable this will happen, but in the Spring you cut them down anyway and all the white leaves are gone. 🙂
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    Still no roots on mine after 5 weeks. I'm off to put them in compost.
    Devon.
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