Calea ternifolia (syn zacatechichi) cuttings

[Ufostrahlen]

C. ternifolia is really easy to clone.

Make a cutting with 2 or 3 internodes (use a clean razorblade, put the cutting immediately into/under water), prepare peat pots with unfertilized coco soil substrate (my preferred substrate, as it doesn't attract mold so easy), poke the substrate with a Q-Tip, dip the cuttings into Clonex or similar product and put them into the hole. Compact the substrate around the stem.

Now put the pots into an indoor green house and leave the vents closed. Open/vent the hood 2x a day and also spray the transparent hood inside with water 1x a day (no need to directly spray the cuttings). Don't place the green house into direct sunlight! They only need a warm place (+20°C-30°C) and indirect light.

Now wait 2-4 weeks, then the first roots break through the peat pots. Probably some mold will show up, too, so now it's time to remove the hood or leave the vents 24h open with the hood loosely attached (stack effect!). Remove the peat pots and put the cuttings into real soil and a bigger pot. Fertilize with a mild solution.

Done!

 

[Ufostrahlen]

2 weeks later ... success! The first roots are showing up and no mold developed because of the frequent venting.
I now wait 1-2 weeks until the other plants develop similar and stronger roots, then I repot the cuttings.

Venting and spraying shouldn't cease until the roots are strongly developed. Then you can acclimate the cuttings to a <80% humidity, as they now can absorb water through the roots.

 

[slewb]

Nice! Did you cut above or below the nodes? Or somewhere between?

 

[Ufostrahlen]

Nice! Did you cut above or below the nodes? Or somewhere between?

Thanks.

I cut below the nodes, as seen here:

Picture is from the extended how-to "New Plants from Cuttings".