1

I have hardwood cutting from a couple of black currant bushes collected this winter. Many have been planted in small pots as I'm getting them started indoors on a warming mat. The warming mat is hooked up to a thermostat so I can control how warm the mat gets based on a soil thermometer inserted 1" into one of the seedling pot's soil.

I wonder, what temperature is optimal for these cuttings? As a general rule of thumb I'm thinking 70 degrees F? What I've read on blank currant propagation so far has not mentioned temperature for starting them.

cr0
  • 2,047
  • 3
  • 19
  • 28

1 Answers1

4

Probably the main reason you found no temperature recommendation is because currant cuttings are often propagated outdoors:
In late fall, cuttings (from the current year) are placed deep into garden soil. They stay outside all winter, protected by a layer of leaf mulch or similar.

Propagating in pots is of course possible, but I would not put them in a warm environement and certainly not on a warming mat. Hardwood cuttings need time to develop roots and you should expect a few weeks until the cutting has formed enough roots. I’m not sure is you can really speed up the process. Successful cuttings will show new growth in spring. This is another reason I wouldn’t “rush” the development: If the cuttings start pushing out the new growth too early indoors, you risk etiolation and hardening off becomes more complicated.

In my opinion, a cool spot would be the better choice, just don’t forget to check the pots regularly and water as needed.

Stephie
  • 17,295
  • 5
  • 34
  • 61