Clematis: Trumpet Vines, 0 by jules_jewel

jules_jewel wrote:
Oh, Smockette, Bless your heart! Sounds like you've done a great job with your cuttings. I sincerely hope they work for you ... because I KNOW how thrilled you'll be to see those new little roots, then the new growth, etc.

I wish I was more familiar with the Desert Trumpet, but if they're anything like my Campsis Grandiflora, they should root just as well. As I've mentioned, this was my first time doing this, so I'm not sure if it matters how long the 'leaf strips' are. But, yes, mine were approx. 1" each. You can see in the photo, I've marked in white where I cut them. Hopefully larger than that will work too. I just followed someone else's instructions too (which I posted). Putting 3 in a pot should be OK. If 1 out of 3 roots, you still have a plant.

I did start mine in a covered lunch plate, making sure they were covered all the time, but I opened the top everyday for an hour or so. It just got sooo steamy inside (I had the plate sitting on a propagation heating pad), and I was worried about the cuttings rotting away in there. I read somewhere that they need to be covered to keep in some degree of humidity (just not sure how much, lol). You see, they have no roots yet, so they must absorb the moisture from the air. At least until the roots form. So that's why I had it covered.

With your cuttings being outside, it may be easier OR harder to root your cuttings. I just don't know. For my first try, I had mine inside the house (approx. 75 degrees) and under grow lights. So, yours being outside at this time of year, you may not need the bottom heat, and then you'll need to be very careful how you cover it (but maybe you shouldn't?) and not BAKE them with that hot sun on them. Be careful whatever you do.

And lastly, out of about 10 (1") pieces of cuttings, I only got 4 to root. 2 of those are what I have blooming now. Another one I gave to a friend, and the 4th one ultimately didn't make it. So, it would be wise to make as many as you can, or at least start with at least 3 times the amount that you wish to have. This is a rule of thumb I have read many times from other members.

Well, I hope that answers your questions and helps! Please keep us 'interested folks' posted on how it turns out.