Burned roots

[GoneWithTheFig]

S.O.S.

I may or may not have added 50/50 miracle gro/water solution and killed the roots from some of my cuttings. The top of the cutting is still alive, but the leaves have died off. Not sure if the portion of the cutting inside the potting mix is dead, but I am assuming it's not doing well. Has anyone made the same mistake and had their cuttings rebound? If so, what did you do? Maybe rinse out the fertilizer as best as possible? Or maybe cut the cutting where the soil line is and start over with the top 1-2 nodes?

TIA for any advice!

 

[sykofan]

I've done that. I've left them as is and about half grew out new roots eventually, but it took a couple of months. The other half I didn't have the patience to wait and luckily they were extras so I tossed them.
If you plan to cut off at the soil line, try digging further down under the soil, you may get an extra node. Tho, I'd probably wait on it first.

 

[GoneWithTheFig]

I've done that. I've left them as is and about half grew out new roots eventually, but it took a couple of months. The other half I didn't have the patience to wait and luckily they were extras so I tossed them.
If you plan to cut off at the soil line, try digging further down under the soil, you may get an extra node. Tho, I'd probably wait on it first.

Thanks for letting me know your experience! My concern is, since time is of the essence once the cuttings are in a growing medium, it sounds like the longer I leave them as-is the lower the success rate will be. I opened up one of the damaged fig pops, and although I lost a majority of the roots, the first half inch or so seem to be alive. I fig popped it with fresh potting mix, so I am cautiously optimistic.

 

[TorontoJoe]

I'm assuming that's a liquid MG fert you're referring to. What is the recommended mix ratio on the label?

 

[GoneWithTheFig]

I'm assuming that's a liquid MG fert you're referring to. What is the recommended mix ratio on the label?

It is, and I'm not seeing a ratio on the bottle, however it says to attach to a feeder which attaches to a hose.... It did make me hesitate, but I figured I'd give a diluted solution a try as some of my fig pops sustained root damage from being packed like sardines in my ice chest. Maybe the best option is to graft them. I've never done it before but have been wanting to try it out.

 

[bushdoctor82]

Per attached link in the FAQ section, the recommended dilution is 1.5tsp/gallon. You overshot it … just a bit.

https://scottsmiraclegro.com/en-us/brands/miracle-gro/products/plant-food-and-care/miracle-gro-liquafeed-all-purpose-plant-food.html?bvstate=pg:2/ct:r

 

[JDaaze]

Oh yeah, they’ll bounce back.

 

[GoneWithTheFig]

Per attached link in the FAQ section, the recommended dilution is 1.5tsp/gallon. You overshot it … just a bit.

https://scottsmiraclegro.com/en-us/brands/miracle-gro/products/plant-food-and-care/miracle-gro-liquafeed-all-purpose-plant-food.html?bvstate=pg:2/ct:r

welp, time to take them out of the fig pops and rinse them off. Thank you for finding that info!

 

[betdempster]

I bet that cutting you pictured will be ok if you get it in fresh soil. I really had some with really damaged roots and not as good looking as what you had when I tried water rooting and made a mess of it. And my cutting made it even after I snipped off have the dead roots that were there because they looked slimy and rotten. I just up potted it and is growing well. As long as they aren't rotting they will try to find a way to grow.

 

[TorontoJoe]

It is, and I'm not seeing a ratio on the bottle, however it says to attach to a feeder which attaches to a hose.... It did make me hesitate, but I figured I'd give a diluted solution a try as some of my fig pops sustained root damage from being packed like sardines in my ice chest. Maybe the best option is to graft them. I've never done it before but have been wanting to try it out.

That's odd that it doesn't give a ratio or application rate....

 

[GoneWithTheFig]

That's odd that it doesn't give a ratio or application rate....

It does say use 1 bottle (16 fl oz) per 400 sf on the bottle, but that's after attaching to their feeder sprayer thingy. I saw some people mention doing 1/4th diluted solution of fert and full strength so I went with 50%. They probably used different ferts) I just used what I had, although I had never used it before. Will rinse of the fert and try re-popping if it's got viable roots, and try my hand at grafting if all roots are dead.

 

[TorontoJoe]

It does say use 1 bottle (16 fl oz) per 400 sf on the bottle, but that's after attaching to their feeder sprayer thingy. I saw some people mention doing 1/4th diluted solution of fert and full strength so I went with 50%. They probably used different ferts) I just used what I had, although I had never used it before. Will rinse of the fert and try re-popping if it's got viable roots, and try my hand at grafting if all roots are dead.

OK.... this is just based on some Google searches. If you use a Miracle Gro hose end sprayer, the application ratio it mixes is one tablespoon of liquid fert per gallon of water.

Now.... a US Gallon = 256 tablespoons..... So, if you did 50/50, that would be 256 tablespoons per gallon, instead of 1. This is if my math is correct and I read it right.

Don't beat yourself up. I once dumped so much Ammonium Sulphate on a tree that I'm surprised it didn't launch into orbit. It happens.