The cuttings are sprayed regularly in an endeavour to create some humidity. They normally strike in ten days and are then moved quickly to 3.5 inch plastic pots in John Innes Compost No. 2 to avoid the ever expanding roots becoming entwined. Maintain Growth Growth is very rapid in July and early August but it is nevertheless important that they are kept moving and are not checked. As soon as the pots are filled with roots, which is in early August, they are moved into 7 inch pots with a John Innes Compost No. 3 mixture. Ail my other late types i.e. Japs, Decoratives and Charms go through a series of clay pots which are porous and assist in ripening the wood.
Plastic appears to be more suited to late sprays which require a softer growth.
The single stem has to be supported and a split cane will suffice initially but a thin bamboo cane will be needed finally. They are now in their final pots and throughout August they will appreciate good ventilation and sufficient space to encourage good lateral growth. Turning the pots occasionally to let each area of the plant share the sunny side encourages balanced growth. The necessity for blacking-out has been explained. Response Group 10 plants will go into the black-out on 24th August and will be removed on 8th September.