Transcript propagation of plants

CONSIDERATIONS
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TYPE OF MATERIAL YOU ARE PROPAGATING (
VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, TREES, SHRUBS, VINES )
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SEASON YOU ARE DOING THE PROPAGATING
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PLACEMENT ( CONDO, FARM, GREENHOUSE, INDOOR )
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AVAILABLE EQUIPMENT ( HEATING MATS, AUTOMATIC DRIP
OR MISTING SYSTEMS, GROW LIGHTS, HYDROPONIC TOWER … )
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TIME AND EXPENSE
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NONORGANIC, ORGANIC, HYDROPONIC
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WATER QUALITY ( RV FILTER, CITY, WELL, RECLAIMED )
(
SUBSTRATE, FERTILIZER, INSECT CONTROL, EFFECT ON TASTE )
ROOTING MEDIA
(seed or cuttings)
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MOISTURE RETENTION + GOOD AERATION
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CLEAN / STERILE
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MIX: PERLITE/PEAT MOSS/VERMICULITE
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ROCK WOOL AND OTHER SUBSTRATES
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pH –
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LITTLE TO NO FERTILIZER AT 1ST
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ROOT ENHANCEMENT CONDITIONS:
(Hydroponics: usually best if water solution is mildly acidic. Can use pH
test kit or electric tester) / soil for azalea vs buttonwood
INTERMITTENT MIST, HEAT MAT, AIR CIRCULATION, HORMONES
Germination
Factors that affect Germination:
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WATER- seed coat, softened by water, swells and splits open.
The water dissolves nutrients in the endosperm making them
available to the embryo and growth begins (growing medium
must be constantly moist, but not wet. Any dry period may
cause death of the sprouting embryo)
LIGHT- can stimulate or inhibit germination. This determines
whether the seed should be sown on the surface or below the
surface
OXYGEN- seed must respire to break down the food stored in
the seed. This is one reason for using a light, well-aerated
growing medium
TEMPERATURE- Every seed has an optimum temperature
range for germination. Many seeds have a fairly wide
temperature range for germination, but some are limited to a
SCARIFICATION
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Particularly hard seed may need scarification which
involves breaking, scratching or softening the seed coat to
allow moisture penetration.
Two methods of scarification commonly used by the home
gardener are mechanical and hot water. Mechanical
scarification involves breaking or weakening the seed coat
with a file, sandpaper or hammer. Hot water scarification
involves placing seeds in water that is 170 to 210 degrees
F. After the water cools, seeds should continue to soak for
12 to 24 hours. Then they are planted
STRATIFICATION
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Some seeds will not break their dormancy unless exposed
to a period of low temperature and moist conditions
Plants that typically require seed stratification include
many trees and shrubs, and certain perennials
Stratification can be accomplished by placing seed in a
moist, sterile (pasteurized) growing medium, such as a mix
of equal parts clean sand and peat or sphagnum peat
moss, in a disinfected container. Enclose the container in a
tightly sealed plastic bag and place it in the non-freezer
section of the refrigerator. Towards the end of the
stratification period seeds may start to sprout. Handle
sprouted seeds carefully when transplanting into pots
PRE-SPROUTING SEEDS
CUTTINGS
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LATE FALL/WINTER: HARDWOOD CUTTINGS-
DORMANT
SPRING/SUMMER: YOUNG NEW GROWTH (Cuttings are
sufficiently mature enough when the stem snaps easily instead of
bending under pressure)
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EARLY FALL: SEMI-HARDWOOD
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CAN CHEAT USING MIST AND/OR HEAT MAT
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How to Take Cuttings
Take wood from vigorous, healthy branches, preferably from the
upper part of the plant
Make the cuttings four to six inches long. Make a slanting smooth cut
with a sharp knife. Cut directly below a node to help callus the cut
surface
Remove the leaves from the lower half to one-third of the cutting.
Insert the cuttings one to two inches deep into the rooting medium. Be
sure to insert one or two nodes into the rooting medium
Firm the medium around the base of the cuttings to hold the cuttings
firm and eliminate any air pockets. Then water thoroughly to further
settle the medium
High humidity around the leaves is necessary to prevent them from
drying out and dying
Care of Rooted Cuttings
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After the cuttings have produced a root system
one to three inches long, transplant them from
the bed or flat into a potting mixture (increase
drainage as transfer to deeper pot)
Most shrubs root within three to six weeks
Soon after rooting, apply a water soluble
fertilizer at half the recommended rate. Water
with this fertilizer solution every other week
ROOT CUTTINGS
(if vertical cannot put upside down)
AIR LAYERING
EQUIPMENT