Date: Fri, 7 May 1999 15:11:02 EDT From: Davidogray@aol.com To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg1572$foo@default> Subject: Re: Reducing leaves on cuttings
First, thanks to Cliff for his informative and well-thougth series of 
articles on culture. I hope this inspires others to write as well.
I have a little tip I learned when I was propagating hard-to-root shrubs in 
college: if you plan to reduce the leaf area, cut the leaves back a few days 
BEFORE you take the cutting off the mother plant. The cut surfaces of the 
leaf transpire huge amounts of water through the cut vessels and open leaf 
tissues at first. By letting the plant close these wounds while its still 
able to replace the water from the root system, the cutting undergoes less 
stress after being severed. I've found this makes a big difference in 
wilt-prone plants; try it and see if it helps your propagating efforts
Cheers,
David O. Gray 
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