Question
Hi,
I am quite new to the whole houseplant world so I'm still learning as I go. My question is, I have done some cane cuttings from my dumbcane & set them on top of a 6"pot of soil. There are 4 cuttings & now so far 3 0f the 4 are showing little sprouts off of them. Everywhere I read about this procedure says to transplant them into their own pot before they completely set roots. Do I have to do this or can I just leave them in this pot? Will the 6" pot be too big for them right now & take forever for them to grow because of that? If I should transplant, do I put them all together or separately? Do I fertilize at all now that they are sprouting? Should I still leave them in the plastic bag tent for now or should I remove that now? Thank you for your assistance. Pam

Answer
The term 'Stem cutting' refers to a cutting from sections with foliage; a 'Cane cutting' has no leaves.  Both are very effective ways to multiply a Dumbcane ('Dieffenbachia seguine' to botanists).

Am I correct in guessing you are hoping to grow a lush, many-stemmed plant in a single pot, and this is your reason for leaving the cuttings in the pot?  I really, truly see absolutely no reason you can't do that with this plant.  The cuttings will be growing very slowly, and the plant itself is a cakewalk.  Fertilizing is an excellent idea; a slow-release dry fertilizer applied in very weak doses, with a concentration in Phosphorous (the middle number in the N-P-K formula on the bag), would give roots just the boost they need.

The plastic tent should be periodically removed to allow for air circulation and avoid fungus-related complications.  When roots have developed, there will be no need for plastic to retain moisture.

You don't sound like a beginner to me.  If this is what you're capable of at this level, wait 'til you really know what you're doing.

Note: Handle your Dieffenbachia with care.  Calcium oxalate in the sap causes swelling and/or burning; a protein -- asparagine -- enhances the physiological effects, which include loss of speech (hence, 'Dumb').  See the 'Propagate House Plants' flyer (http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/pubs/pdf/L290.pdf) published by University of George Cooperative Extension for illustrated descriptions of the many ways to multiply many of your favorite houseplants.