Greenhouse growers are now receiving unrooted cuttings from suppliers as the spring season begins to ramp up. What are the best management practices when receiving unrooted cuttings? How do growers evaluate their quality and determine which ones should be stuck first?
Upon arrival of cuttings, boxes should be opened immediately and inspected for wilting and quality, including appropriate length, caliper, leaf number and size. Also inspect for proper labeling and quantity, and noticeable signs of damage, stress, disease or death. Determine the cutting-tissue temperature with an infrared thermometer. Cuttings should be removed from the box to cool as quickly as possible, especially if the temperature of the cuttings is greater than 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) or if the box has been in transit for more than two days.