February Cultural Notes
Taking Cuttings
Continue taking cuttings throughout February and into March.
- Early February cuttings can be ready for the March and April plant sales (member sales at the March and April meetings and the public sale in April).
- Most February and March cuttings should be from early English and American varieties.
- Late Decoratives (Classes 4, 5, 14, and 15) should be started primarily in February.
- Remember to take cuttings for yourself and for the plant sale.
Varieties suitable for February cuttings:
- Classes #1 & #2: Lundy, Yellow Lundy, David Dando, Ralph Lambert, Yellow Ralph Lambert, Athabasca, Harry Gee, Jane Sharpe, Seychelles
- Class #3: Len Hall, Salmon, Primrose, Yellow Fairweathers, Stockton, Heather James
Fertilizing Cuttings
- Cuttings in bed media: No fertilization is needed before potting on.
- Cuttings in cross-bottom bands or 2” clay pots: Begin fertilizing after 3–4 weeks, as these generally take 5–6 weeks before potting on.
- Use an early mum fertilizer once a week beginning the 4th week:
- Peters 9-45-15 or Plant Marvel 12-45-10
- Mix 1 tsp per gallon of water, once weekly
Potting On
Most growers use the soilless M&R mix sold by the club.
OR
Sunshine #4 professional growers mix sold at Home Depot
- Additives: Generally not required for early potting (2” and 4” pots). Some growers add alfalfa meal or pellets as a stimulant.
- Avoid: Bone meal — it often encourages fungi growth due to high potassium.
Potting guidelines:
- Pot directly from cutting beds into 2” pots, or from starter bands/pots into 3” or 4” pots.
- Use new pots or disinfect used ones with a mild bleach solution (Clorox); rinse thoroughly afterward.
- Clay pots (2”, 3”, 4”, 6”) are recommended —
Clay pots are porous, so water evaporates more quickly. Plastic pots are non-porous and retain moisture longer. In the cooler months of March and April care must be taken not to overwater your plant starts
- Pot on when roots are ½–¾ inch long from cutting beds (≈4 weeks) or when roots are growing thickly out of bands/pots (≈6 weeks).
- Do not compact the mix!
- After potting, place plants out of direct light or under the bench for 2–3 days to stimulate root growth.
Care and Growing Conditions
- Shelter plants in a greenhouse, cold frame, or sunny indoor space (like a kitchen table or south-facing window).
- Maintain 50–60°F temperature.
- Glass overhead helps prevent legginess.
- B-9 (available through the club) can be applied at 4 inch potting and again at pinch time to control leggy growth.
- ⚠️ Do not use B-9 on naturally short varieties such as all Fairweathers, all Alexis, West Bromwich, King George and Port Stanley.
Plants will remain in this first potting for 4–6 weeks, until a root ring is visible around the bottom of the pot.
- Don’t hesitate to check root development by gently removing the root ball.
💡Fertilizing Tip:
After potting up your plant starts, wait about four weeks before beginning a regular fertilizing regimen. This allows the young plants time to establish new roots and draw nutrients from the fresh potting medium before additional fertilizer is introduced. Starting too early can stress tender roots or lead to fertilizer burn. At 4 weeks a fertilizer high phosphorus is recommended. Phosphorous promotes strong root development, enhances stress resistance, improves plant vigor and boosts photosynthesis.
