Hey guys, I need some help ASAP.
I just got 2 fresh psychotria viridis leaves in the mail.
They seem to be packaged well and healthy. The vendor sandwiched them between a thin piece of moist tissue or something and put them in a ziplock bag.

I have cactus soil, vermiculite, western sand, access to rich garden soil, and access to soil from under a pine tree. I was told lemon juice is good to use for leaf cuttings. I know that they like acidic soil and like indirect light. I supposed they don't really need nutes right now since they still need to sprout roots, so I was thinking a 6-1 verm-sand mix? That way I can avoid mold and whatnot.
I can run out and grab some potting soil if need be.

Advice on which medium to use?
Thoughts?
Tips?

ANY help would be MUCH appreciated!!

Howdy,

I've never done it but this might help:

propogating Psychotria

Thanks wear. I have already read that thread several times.

I do not have access to pine bark based soil or a greenhouse.
I have fluorescent lights which I plan to use.

Anyone else care to help?

it often takes a good lil while. Using a soil that is fairly inert is key. Obviously the leaf isn't growing so no nutrients needed. Stay away from peat based soils as fungus gnats will proliferate long before the leaf comes into it's own.

If it was me in your scenario, I'd be using some sort of cactus mix with a good bit of sand mixed in. Not much in the way of lighting is needed until the lil ones arrive.

good luck
rw

Ok.
I will use the cactus/succulent soil with some sand.
Thanks for the help worm.

happy I could be of service. Feel free to msg me anytime you need assistance.

Funny people are selling leaves to root. At one point I was using the leaves as packing material

Ummm, that one went over my head. Why would you use leaves as packing material?

My favorite way to root cuttings is to weight down a bubble wand in a Rubbermaid or other food grade plastic tub. I cover with tape to cut down light, this reduces algae growth.

Drill a few holes in the lid, then use rubber fender washers from a hardware store, with a diameter larger then the diameter of the holes you cut. Cut a slit radially hole to edge. I place the cutting into the washer and set it in over a hole in the lid.

The inside of the tub will contain water and a little lemon juice, and possibly rooting hormone. There will be an aquarium air-[pump and rubber hose to the bubble wand. I drill a hole for the tube towards the top of the container as to avoid water leaking out.

I try to keep the water level just below the bottom of the cut edge of the stem, water splashing makes this technically aeroponic.

Transplant when wilting stops and I get a decent taproot.

I agree with Ringworm about peat, as I've had fungus gnats when using it. I stopped them by sprinkling a layer of diatomaceous earth over the surface. I no longer use sphagnum peat moss though as the world demand outstrips supply and bog growth rate, so it's becoming quite expensive.

Because I couldn't afford packing peanuts or newspaper at the time.