Kiwi Phil
Commander
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2003
- Messages
- 2,182
Making Babies <br /><br />Plants can be propagated by <br /><br />aerial layering, <br /><br />division, <br /><br />tissue culture, <br /><br />grafting, <br /><br /> Seed Raising <br /><br /> and Cuttings. <br /><br />This story focuses on the latter 2 methods . <br /><br />Propagation via cuttings is a vegetative or asexual method of reproduction. <br /><br />This means that all new plants will be genetically identical to one another and to their parent plant. <br /><br />Seed raising is a sexual method of reproduction. The seed is produced by the fertilisation of an ovule within a flower by pollen. When the seed germinates, it produces a plant that is genetically unique. Sexual propagation is very important for maintaining the rich biodiversity of the planet <br /><br />Seeds contain an embryo that will develop into the plant and an endosperm or food source for the embryo. The size of seed varies. Generally, the larger the seed the more endosperm it contains and the longer it can survive without food from the soil. <br /><br /> SEEDS should be planted about twice the depth of their thickness. For example, sprinkle small seeds such as those of Aquilegia sp on the surface, but sow sweet peas a little deeper.<br /><br />When planting seeds, ensure that seed raising trays have plenty of drainage holes in the base. If recycled trays are used, sterilise them with chlorine (bleech) and water. <br /><br />To make your own seed raising mix, swell a dry block of copra peat in water. Mix equal parts of peat with washed river sand, add a handful of perlite or vermiculite to improve aeration, drainage and water absorption. To speed germination, spray the planted seeds with a mixture of one teaspoon of magnesium sulphate (Epsom salts) and five litres of water.<br /><br />Then again you could probably buy a small bag of "seed raising mix" from your Garden Centre/Hardware Store.<br /><br />When I have raised and removed the seedlings, I do not throw out the mix, but use it again. I do this with my potted colour seedlings (petunia/marigold/vinca/impatiens etc etc). If I didn't, then I would go tons of mix a year.<br /><br />When the seeds have germinated and grown to have a least 2 leaves, then ***** then out, with something like a table knife. Remove them gently. Make sure you do not crush the stems or leaves. I put mine straight in to a pot, but I would suggest to you to put them in something like an old cordboard egg carton (filled with mix), so you can grow them on a little more, and harden them up. This carton is great, because when you come to putting them in the garden, cut the egg-carton with scissors, so you have individual little pots, make sure the cardboard is really wet, pull it apart with your thumb, just a little bit, them plant the lot in the ground. Saves disturbing the seedling. The roots will grow through the rips you put in and the wet cardboard.<br /><br /><br />There are three basic types of vegetative cuttings. Hardwood cuttings (e.g roses) are taken from older stems. Cut the top of the stem at an angle for orientation purposes, plant the base and leave it in the soil for a year until roots form. Heeled cuttings have a small portion of bark remaining from the main stem at the base of a young shoot (e.g. camellias). Soft wood cuttings or tip cuttings are taken from young stems. To aid root formation, dip the heel into root forming compound. It is important to trim off the lower leaves to prevent rotting. To prevent damage to the base of the cutting, make a hole in the propagation mix, place the cutting in and firm the soil around it. <br /><br />Most important:<br /><br />Whenever you put down seeds, do cuttings, transplant.....always "water-in" which means, with a watering can or hose on fine/slow drizzle, water the mix really well.<br /><br />These are the basics. I will elaborate on some points next time.<br /><br />Cheers<br />Phillip
