Allow the container to drain then either cover with a propagator top or plastic bag supported with canes and place in a warm shaded position or in a heated propagator for about 14 - 21 days.

There will be no need to water again as during this time the plants will transpire, (lose water through their leaves) the water vapour will run inside the covering and be taken up again by the cuttings.

After 14 - 21 days, check if the cuttings have taken (rooted), a gentle tug on the leaves will be resisted, but if you feel the cutting starting to pull away from the compost leave well alone for another week or so and replace the container to a shaded position.

Do not remove the cutting until you are sure that it has rooted enough to sustain the shock that transfer can cause.

As discussed previously this can be any proprietary compost, John lnnes, Levington’s, Arthur Bower’s etc. and the pot size should be 21/2", certainly no bigger than 3 inch even with a very well rooted cutting.

Again when placing the cutting in the compost, make sure that it is only planted at the same level that it was in the cutting compost, -- not above or below but at the same level.

After gently firming the cutting in, without getting your thumbs in the pot and pressing for all your worth, water in the same way as when the cutting was first taken and again place in a warm shaded position for a couple of days making sure that they are out of direct sunlight no matter how weak the sun seems in the early months of the year.

In about 3 weeks time you should knock the cutting out of the pot by placing your hand over the pot with the stem between two fingers turning the pot upside down and giving a sharp tap on the bench.