North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[alexis <alexis@conev.org>]

I root cuttings from a lot of different plants. Mostly I use hardwood if 
I can get it. My experience is:
Figs -- always root 100% as long as its warm
Hardy Kiwis -- usually high success rate, but sometimes they crap out. 
Will root soft or hard wood, but hardwood seems to work better.
Fuzzy Kiwis -- same as hardy kiws, but lower success rate
Pomegranate -- usually high success rate, sometimes lower. On a good 
run, even tiny sticks will root.
Goumi -- low success rate. Hard wood is preferred, but they seem pretty 
fickle about rooting.
Mulberry -- moderate success rate (usually graft them instead)
Concord Grapes -- moderate success rate
I have rooted a wide variety of other plants (stone fruits etc) but 
generally graft them instead. I don't know class/ order/ order/ genus on 
all these plants....

Clearly, the biggest variable is the plant itself. Figs are very easy. 
Goumis are difficult, inconsistent at best. Even kiwis, which generally 
root easily, sometimes fail. I am trying to figure out how to root hard 
to root plants better (such as goumi) and what makes the difference with 
other plants (kiwis) in terms of the rate of success. Like I said, it 
seems like the rooting medium is less critical than temperature, but 
more clarity about other variables/ methods would be useful. I am trying 
to use/ improve low-input methods so I can help other folks learn how to 
do this at home. I have a heating mat with thermostat, but if I can 
figure out the best temperature range and method under ambient 
conditions, that would help others who wan to do this at home.
Any info appreciated.
Alexis