This article includes both still photos and a movie.
When potting small plants it’s easy to make the mistake of potting them too deeply or fertilizing them with the wrong kind of fertilizer. Or even using a poor grade of potting soil.
The correct depth for potting rooted cuttings.
In this example I am potting a rooted cutting which is basically a stick with roots. In this example I have filled the pot with potting soil, leaving only 2″ from the top of the soil the the top of the pot. Yes, the roots of the cutting really are that close to the top of the pot because you don’t want much more than one inch of soil over the roots.
The correct way to place the rooted cutting in the pot, on top of the potting soil.
In the video you’ll see how and why I not only trimmed the top of this rooted cutting but I also trimmed the roots. It’s better to trim the roots, especially on a dormant cutting, than it is to bunch up the roots under the cutting. Once the roots are trimmed it’s easy to fan them out over the soil in the pot then cover with more potting soil.
Snowmound Spirea rooted cutting, just potted.
When I put the soil in the container over the roots, not only do I fill the pot completely to the top, but I pack the soil in tightly so very little settling can take place. Once potted we apply a slow release fertilizer like Osmocote 14-14-14. Regular garden fertilizer, even if it says 14-14-14 on the bag, will kill your potted plants almost instantly!
Be sure to watch the short movie because I show you how to prune the rooted cuttings before potting and explain it all in more detail.
There you have it, the correct way to pot rooted cuttings, nursery stock liners and other small plants.
My “Awesome Potting Soil Recipe” can be found here.
Me Swapping Spit with a Donkey? That’s here.
Questions, comments, mean things to say? Post them below and I will respond.
kevin ryan says
October 26, 2017 at 9:18 amWhat is best way to winter over 1 year old cuttings in 6″pots. Could I bury them in my raised beds for the winter or is small hoop house a better idea. I live a few miles south of Lake Michigan.
Mike says
October 27, 2017 at 8:29 amKevin,
I think either option is fine as long as they stay moist but not soaking wet.
JoAnn says
April 18, 2017 at 7:49 pmI cannot find where to buy that rooting gismo for plants like tree limbs. My neighbor has a cherry tree that is alot on my side of the fence and I would love to get that gismo you once talked about. Thanks. I hope you can figure out which gismo I’m looking for.
Mike says
April 19, 2017 at 9:19 amJoAnn, http://airpropagator.com
Anthony Bixenman says
April 8, 2017 at 11:21 amHi ya Mikes nursery! I planted a dozen 6 in rose cuttings in February
And wrapped container in its own green house and it’s April 8 now. The cutting all have
4.5.and 6 new buds where branches are gonna grow from .I’M IN Need to know when I can transplant
In yard / or separate Potts .is it to early ? Should I wait another month ? Or even ayear?.
The issue is the new rooted cuttings are all in same container with ot but inch or two between each.??H E L P.
Mike says
April 9, 2017 at 8:40 amAnthony,
Probably too soon. Buds doesnt’ mean that the cuttings have roots. They’ll often bud first, then make roots. Probably mid summer, that’s the earliest we touch our hardwood cuttings done over the winter.
mark palmer says
April 5, 2017 at 9:57 amI live in ontario and went to lowes and home depot but they didn’t have osmocote 14 14 14, do you know were else I can find it?….thanks
Mike says
April 5, 2017 at 6:47 pmMark,
I know that Walmart sometimes carries it. In the http://backyardgrowers.com/join area we have sources for large quantities for members of the trade. There are also other brands that I can’t get into here.