Why Do Cuttings Fail? Propagation Tips

If you're propagating plants by cuttings, you've almost certainly asked the question: why do some of my cuttings die? They may rot (from the bottom up) or dry out (from the top down) but the real cause of failure can be difficult to determine. Here I break them into 3 categories:

Timecodes:
0:00 Intro
1:24 Failure Examples
3:45 Choosing difficult plant or method
6:30 Cutting technique
8:45 Growing environment

I'll share as many propagation tips as I can, but there's no way to cover all of the techniques and scenarios in a 10 minute video. Feel free to drop your questions in the comments below, and I'll try to help with more specifics.

If you find these videos useful, here are a few things you can do to help us out:

[timhills]

I can’t believe he jumped straight into the content without wasting our time, good video sir

[MushroomMagicGrowing]

This guy reminds of when YouTube was pure.. No BS ads or unnecessary talking. Straight to some botany education… Thanks dude!

[natdm]

You forgot to mention the fourth reason : Spite. I have had countless cuttings fail, just because they wanted to annoy me. The damage/loss due to spite is usually inversely proportional to how important/urgent/expensive the cuttings were, and how much time/energy was invested in them.
Great video by the way...

[DavyGoestoHollywood]

I have been growing stuff from cutting since a kid, and it was always a lottery as to what survived. This was SO helpful thank you for sharing.

[vikamitrichenko]

I was able to propagate 3 roses with 100% success. Thank you!!!!

[noxy]

I subscribed because you just delivered the content without too long introduction. Your presentation is relevant abd straight to the point. Thanks for this information. Cheers ❤

[Eidolin]

Hearing the rain in the back is awesome

[everettedl]

3:38 "Let's get right down to the root causes here." Nice one.

[macjmf]

Many thanks, Jason. I'm an old timer and have enjoyed horticulture most of my life, but I learnt a lot from your clear and ordered presentaion. Mac F, UK

[seilrang]

Ur explanation are so scientific and makes everything so clear. You could write a book too.
My rose cuttings are getting successful after watching ur videos

[danniellenelson]

Massive kudos to your presentation, information and wisdom. I've been gardening for 20 years (badly) hit or miss with everything. This year I am learning so much and your video really helped me. I just started 60box elder cuttings last week (before your video) and now I will be able to see what is and isn't working as they develop.
Thank you again! You made a subscriber out of me.

[wendychandler]

I've been taking cuttings for 80 years - taught by my grandpa. Now suddenly they are failing; I am cross, disappointed and baffled. It's not lack of experience but now I'm sorry for giving away so many plants that I miss. Variable weather, light deficiency outside etc., yes.

[giovannifiorentino]

Great sound even with the rain background. Like the idea of the plastic box for keeping humidity.

[vikamitrichenko]

finally i found no nonsense source of information, thank you!

[JesseJamesPigon]

I found that cuttings(stems thinner than a pencil) from young plants generally tend to be more viable in rooting even without hormone. Although the downside would be that it will take longer time for the plant mature but at the very least they are alive.

[anla]

For bushes and any plant with a firm stem, we tie a piece of polythene at the top of the cutting to prevent moisture loss. It really helps!

[saltlifegull]

I LOVE your videos, Jason. I go to your channel when I feel sad and need a pick me up, lol. Subscriber from Florida.

[Alistplay]

I witnessed a huge Oak tree fall over at 9:30pm 03/06/24 and as an Englishman (hearts of Oak), im on my way to propagate 12 off-cuts of it in 3 different locations.
1. Bottom of a large area valley (few meters from where it fell)
2. At the plateau top of the hills of the valley.
3.the slopes of the hills of the valley.

Soil is flint, clay, dark and rich top soil, very moist valley, hard water, cow and horse pastures in the area, mix of woodland.
Chess valley, Chalfront&Latimer, Buckinghamshire, England.

[MikeKincaid]

Hey, thanks for the shout out! I really appreciate it. Nice setup you've got there!

[servantEG]

Concise, informative, and super helpful. It's rare to find excellent material like this on youtube.