rootling

1. gerundparticiplepresentpresent participle and gerund of rootle

plural rootlings

1. A small or miniature root; a rootlet.
2. a plantling just beginning to root.

   Coming to actual plantation, we are confronted by the question whether a cutting or a rootling is to be prepared.

   1928, Victoria. Dept. of Agriculture, The Journal of the Department of Agriculture of Victoria - Volume 25 - Page 417

   2 more examples

   Our little 69¢ gem really took off and outgrew its pot. My sother separated and transplanted it. Now there were several pots (we had given little rootlings away to special friends in Toronto too) and the plant was doing strong.

   1981 April 18, Nancy Walker, “I'm A Nut”, in Gay Community News, page 13

   Ideally, rootlings should have several major roots spreading in different directions and several shoots, 4-5 mm thick and 20 cm […]

   1992, Bryan George Coombe, Peter R. Dry, Viticulture