Trying To Fight Fungus

[Tobermory]

I took some rose stem cuttings and put them in a propagator. All seemed to be going well, as buds opened on the cuttings and light green leaf(-lets) developed from them. Then I noticed a fluffy fungus on some of the new growth and within two days this growth had wilted and turned brown. The fungus had an appearance like little pieces of white Candy Floss. I have since sprayed the cuttings with ‘Scotts’ “Fungus Clear Ultra” and had previously sprayed them with Copper Sulphate Pentahydrate about once a week.

I wondered if anyone can tell from my description above what the nature of the fungus might be and how I should treat it?

I realise that this batch of cuttings are likely beyond saving but I would like to establish how I can avoid the same thing happening in the future.

[veggiechicken]

Sounds like it was too humid in the propagator.
Not too much water and plenty of ventilation.

[Tobermory]

Thank you, veggiechicken. I will endeavour to improve the ventilation for the next attempt. My concern is that reducing the humidity greatly could result in the cuttings dehydrating. Which is why I am hoping that there might be a substance that I could spray or otherwise cleanse the confines of the propagator with to prevent the fungus growing.

[veggiechicken]

I root rose cuttings in pots without a propagator.
Putting them inside a plastic bag is another way, undoing the top of the bag when it condenses over.
You could wash out the propagator if you're concerned - I don't use sprays so can't help.

[mothhawk]

Rose cuttings don't need protection. You're killing them with kindness.

It's a bit late to be taking cuttings in December, I do mine at the end of September through to October, when I'm tidying up stems for the winter. Any pieces of semi-ripe stems I've cut off that are about as thick as a pencil and about 12" long I literally just shove into the ground, leaving about 4" sticking out. Ignore them for 12 months or so, by which time they've grown good roots and some top growth and are ready to move to their permanent home.

[Scarlet]

I do the same as Mothhawk for roses.

This is worth a read for info on taking hardwood cuttings.

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=387

[Squingy]

Only suggestions to add would be to use fresh substrate/soil and remove top cover every so often once you see soft growth, watering the soil only to prevent drying out.

I didn't even thibk you could put rose cuttings in a propagator, was of the opinion it's better to shoved in the chill so they can come to life in spring with the seasons? If you have cuttings to spare how about try both outdoor and indoor method to compare and do come back to tell us how you got on.

[Tobermory]

When I first tried to grow roses from stem cuttings a couple of years ago I did simply plant the cuttings in the ground outside. After a couple of months I noticed that the bottom of the exposed part of some of the cuttings had turned brown. Then the tops of the cuttings turned brown. Then the brown from the bottom met with the brown from the top and some of the cuttings had spots of either white or orange fungus on them. So I concluded that they were dead and tried a different approach.

[rary]

As has been said keep them off the heat, if you do have more cuttings dip some of them into cinnamon which is an anti fungal powder

[Squingy]

Darn. Good luck Tobermory, seems u can't win :-(