Propagation: Perlite only or Perlite/Soil mix?

[zagoric]

With your leaf cuttings, do you start them out in straight perlite or do you give them some soil for nutrients?

[mdpillet]

I use 80% pumice, 20% sandy topsoil for all cuttings.

[zagoric]

Is the topsoil for nutrients, moisture retention, or both?

[mdpillet]

The pumice has no cation exchange capacity to speak of, so the topsoil will hold more nutrients. It does provide more moisture retention than the pumice, but my main reason is for surface area for more fine root attachment. I really don't water any cuttings beyond a slight misting every week in the evening.