Gear on the table
Comfortable scissors
Spring-loaded shears reduce hand fatigue on a long run of cuts
Water glasses
One jar holds raw cuts. A second holds trimmed starts so they never dry out
Sterilizer
Alcohol or 3 percent hydrogen peroxide plus towels for the bench, blades, and gloves
Root dip
Use a solution with NAA, IAA, IBA, or a mix of those rooting hormones
Take and trim
Clean first
Wipe the table and scissors. Wash hands and wear latex gloves
Into water
Place freshly cut ends in water at once so they do not wilt
Even length
Line canopies, then recut stems so the tray sits level
Fresh face
Wipe the blades and recut about 1/8 inch (3 mm) off the stem just before dipping
Dip and set
Hormone depth
Dip about 1/2 inch (13 mm) of stem
Planting depth
Set at least 1 inch (25 mm) into the medium
Side roots
New roots emerge from the stem sides and nodes, not from the flat bottom cut
Open wounds
Treat every cutting like surgery. Sterile tools and a clean room matter
First irrigation
pH water
Irrigate with water near pH 6.0 to 6.3
Helpers
Dilute rooting enhancers, compost tea, or mycorrhizae can go in once you start watering
Surface wipe
A light hydrogen peroxide spray on the medium surface acts as an antiseptic
Dome week
Keep a cover on so humidity stays high until roots show