Armpitting and growing on tomato side shoots

[rob the roller]

I am in the process of armpitting my tomato plants and potting the shoots to raise new plants. This has always worked in the past but for some reason they are not taking this year. I am using GP compost into 2" square pots. The shoots are from about 2" with some as long as 6"-8". The smaller ones look healthier, but none of them are showingany signs of growth. Can anyone offer any advice?

Thanks

Rob

[Flummery]

Try rooting them first in water. It takes maybe a week or even a fortnight but you get good bushy roots and they don't look back when you put them in compost. I find doing it straight into compost a bit hit and miss.

[Ashaman42]

Out of interest would the rooting in water be done in the dark or is light ok?

[Davyburns]

Out of interest would the rooting in water be done in the dark or is light ok?

If you leave them on a windowsill, as I do, then i suppose it would be half and half

[Flummery]

I do mine on the kitchen windowsill - very light.

[Germinater]

i take cuttings and use rooting powder with does work but still have losses would putting rooting powder in water and rooting in water work??

[rob the roller]

Thank you everyone who has replied.

As said, I have not had problems in the past, but in view of Flummery's suggestion I am wondering whether I used wetter compost previously? Usually this time of the year is pretty damp. This year has been so dry, I am thinking that the compost may simply not be wet enough for roots to form. I have to do the job again this weekend and will divide them into two, one into water, the other into well soaked compost. Will post an update on the results.

Rob

[Flummery]

i take cuttings and use rooting powder with does work but still have losses would putting rooting powder in water and rooting in water work??

Roting powder only has a useful shelf life of about 6 months. I never use it. They go like crazy in plain water.

[Germinater]

Didn't know that thank you .will try water

[Hillwalker]

Roting powder...

That's where I'm going wrong.

They go like crazy in plain water.

I've never tried starting them in just water. I've read that they develop a different and softer type of root system. I'm guessing you've had no probs...?
I know some of the hydroponic sites recommend starting tomatoes in 100% vermiculite if eventually transferring to soil.

[Flummery]

Whoop, rooting, of course!
They do develop lots of root in water but it never gives a problem when transferred to compost.