Shown at left is a rooted cutting of Microbiota decussata or Russian Carpet Cypress that was removed from the Wardian case about eight weeks after the cutting was inserted. *See softwood cutting plant propagation. I am not sure if the 1 : 1 sand to peat moss mixture was an optimal rooting media for this plant species as I noted only about fifty percent (50%) of the cuttings rooted adequately for transplanting into the garden row for further growth, development, and hardening off prior to winter's onset. The remaining cuttings had callous development at the wounded areas and I decided to plant these cuttings in a partially shaded and protected location where I have had prior success with calloused but not rooted Chamaecyparis species. Much to my amazement the calloused cuttings eventually rooted and over-wintered in pure, well rotted, garden compost. I had forgotten about them and discovered them happily growing the following spring. Next year I will try a media of clean, sharp, builder's sand without the peat moss as a growing media for softwood cuttings of Microbiota and threadleaf cultivars of Chamaecyparis or False Cypress species. Builder's sand is additionally a good media for rooting Juniper species.

Pieris japonica "Mountain Fire" shown at left had a much higher percentage of root initiation than the Russian Carpet Cypress cuttings. Approximately ninety percent (90%) of cuttings rooted, and had a well developed and robust root system. The 1 : 1 ratio of sand to peat moss growing media seemed to favor this member of ericaceous plant family.

Further Research: Hartmann and Kester, Plant Propagation Principles and Practices, © 1983, Prentice-Hall, Inc. 4th Edition.