36 How to re-root cuttin gs 

Root the cuttings by planting quite shallowly in a clean, slightly 
damp mixture of sand containing peat moss and charcoal, and as soon 
as roots form, plant in a regular way. A cutting box will be found 
most convenient for quickly rooting cuts and offsets. The box filled 
with clean, coarse sand should be placed in a warm exposure or it may 
be heated by an electric bulb placed beneath the box. The ideal ex- 

Cutting off the growing tip will increase the number 
of propagations which may be removed and re-rooted. 
Dotted line shows where to make the cutting. 
posture is in the sun, providing the sand is kept damp and the box 
is protected by a muslin cover. Sand is used because it is porous and 
speeds the formation of new roots. Desert types should be rooted in 
dry sand. Do not try to hurry the re-rooting of plants by over water- 
ing. Fresh cuts will induce rot if planted too soon. 
