European growers have for over fifty years used the Basal Long Soak Method to root cuttings of prunus rootstocks including St. Julien (plum and other stone fruit, etc.).

• In the Autumn sixteen inch cuttings are taken from the parent plant.
• Basal ends of the cuttings are Immersed in  Hortus IBA Water Soluble Salts (100 ppm as IBA) dissolved in water for 6-12 hours.
• Cuttings are then bundled in groups of 25.
• Bundles are wrapped in perforated transparent plastic sheeting.
• The wrapped packages are placed into crates which are piled to allow air circulation.
• The crates are left in cold storage at a temperature above freezing (33-35F) for the Winter.
• Ethylene generation is checked regularly as it could be toxic to the cuttings.
• During cold storage a callus ferrule forms around the lower end of the basal end.
• In the Spring the cuttings are planted in the open.

Basal Long Soak Method.