Question
QUESTION: Mike, Before I ask my question I want to thank you for your time helping people that enjoy plants.

My question is, after I put my wood cuttings in water with Miracle Grow "Quick Start" (sparingly) they thrive and start leafing.

But once I put them in Miracle Grow and adding the "Quick Start (sparingly) to the water that I will use to water them once in the potting soil, the leaves turn yellow and the cutting eventually dies. I keep the cuttings well watered, warm, and lighted.

I have had success doing this one time but for the last two times it has not worked.

Thank you for any advice,

Robert L. Noe
ANSWER: Robert, it sounds like the roots are saturated, which will eventually result in a condition called root-rot. This is caused by poor drainage or too much water. The end result is that the roots are unable to draw in nutrients, which will gradually starve the plant.

Be sure to only water when the soil dries out. I water my seedlings once or twice per week at most. I wait until the soil is dry to the touch. I then water deeply, ensuring water runs out of the drainage hole. This seems to keep the plants healthy, and also helps prepare them for similar conditions outdoors.

Finally, never fertilize seedlings until they have developed their fourth set of leaves. The salt content that is present in most commercial fertilizers can burn the roots. If you use a fertile potting medium, fertilization is not needed at the early stages of growth.

I hope this answered your question. Please write again if I can ever be of assistance.

Regards,

Mike

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Mike, Thank you so much for the quick reply. I guess what I'm confused about is, why do the cuttings thrive in pure distilled water, yet when planted in Miracle Grow potting soil they wilt? And the water that I use is the same.

I make sure the soil is wet but not saturated. But they still die. I have the one Bougainvillea with the orange blooms. I can take a photo if you would like to see it.

I'm trying to get some with the red, blue and white flowers.  

Answer
Robert, it could be transplant shock.

Rather than starting them in water, start the cuttings directly in the potting soil. Just be sure it is a tender cutting, and not woody. Remove all but the top two sets of leaves, dip the cutting in a rooting compound, and cover the pot with clear plastic. Within 7-10 days, the roots should take, and the plastic can be removed. You would then treat the plant as you would any seedling, with ample light and moderate watering.

Good luck.

Mike