BAG ROOTING - Advantages and What Can Go Wrong

THE ADVANTAGES OF BAG ROOTING

·    Avoids extremes of too wet and too dry

·    Provides what developing roots want most, humid and warm air spaces

·    Bag method does not require adding water

o  Open containers can be over-watered or catch rain

·    Bags trap the moisture, heat and humid air inside

o  Open containers lose water through evaporation

o  When an open container becomes heated in the sun, warm moist air expands and is expelled

o  When a bag is warmed by the sun the moisture that becomes air-borne condenses on the inside of the bag, harmlessly away from the cut-end but available to maintain the humidity of the air spaces

WHAT CAN GO WRONG WITH 

BAG ROOTING?

·    The rooting media was prepared with too much water

·    Rain water can gather and enter at the bonnet unless sealed to prevent this

o  The bonnet can be turned down so as to not act as a funnel

o  Tape or extra tight banding can reduce risk of water entering

·     If the rooting bags are placed directly on a heating pad the temperature will be too high and kill existing roots

·    The delicate roots can break away when removing the bag

o  It is best to let the roots become crowded before removing the bag

o  Tear the bag at both seams that run vertical to either side from top to bottom