I was going to remove a small lower branch of a Japanese Maple. Would Clonex Cloning Gel be useful for propagating it? Dip in some Clonex, place in a pot in shade until roots develop.

About how long do you think it would take for roots to develop before transferring to sun?

What should I cover the bare space on the trunk with from where the branch is cut?

I have tried Clonex for two years. I could have as well thrown my money down the drain: literally every plant I propagated using it had both very low radication rates and problems developing health root systems. A complete waste of time and money and has since flown right into the garbage.

Japanese maple can be easily rooted without any rooting compound: the key factors are high temperature and moisture. Covering the cutting with a clear plastic bag and putting it in the hottest part of the house where it will get some indirect sunlight are the best ways to increase rooting chances.

ElPolloDiablo said: I have tried Clonex for two years. I could have as well thrown my money down the drain: literally every plant I propagated using it had both very low radication rates and problems developing health root systems. A complete waste of time and money and has since flown right into the garbage.

Japanese maple can be easily rooted without any rooting compound: the key factors are high temperature and moisture. Covering the cutting with a clear plastic bag and putting it in the hottest part of the house where it will get some indirect sunlight are the best ways to increase rooting chances.

-We were thinking of cutting a thin 2-3 ft low (very close to ground) branch with a bunch of leaves. Do you mean to put the entire thing in a bag, or just have a bag around the base of the cutting where roots would grow?
-Do you mean potting it and then placing the whole thing in a bag? Would you moisten the soil?
-If moisture helps should the cutting be placed in a glass of water?

Thanks for the feedback on Clonex. I've heard some people swear by it, and some people say they think it does nothing.

Just plant your cutting in a container and put a clear plastic bag over it.
The soil needs to be moist but never soggy and extremely well drained: some people swear by a 50/50 mixture of peat and sand (or akadama) but personally I prefer citrus potting compound. Keeping the bag on will help retain moisture in the ground for a long time.

I've never seen Japanese maple cuttings in plain water honestly so I cannot vouch for it.

Thank you. Would you do the same to root cuttings of tomato and pepper plants, and perennials? And to make sure I understand you, you mean placing the entire pot + plant inside a closed plastic bag, in the shade out of direct sun?