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Last Updated Thursday, August 28, 2008 08:50 PM

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Garden Tips And Garden Secrets!

Propagation and Division

Division: This method can be done in spring or late fall.
1. Dig the entire plant up, maintaining as much of the root structure as possible.
 
2. With your hands gentle brake apart the plant into two or more pieces.
 
3. Tough roots may need to be cut apart.
 
4. Plant new plants in new homes.

Cuttings: depending on the plant species depends on which these methods is used. I will give a general list of different species and the best type of propagation method to use ; and the best time to do it. If you have any plants not listed please email us for specific method and time. Also I'm listing a couple of method on taking cutting because some are easer that other.

Method 1
1. Cut off the tip of a healthy growing plant, about 6 inches or less.
 
2. Strip the bottom leaves leaving the top with at least 3 to 4 leaves.
 
3. Cut the stem on a angle with a shape clippers, Then about a inch of the bottom of the stem take a sharp knife and cut the outer layer of bark if it is a tree or shrub if not skip peeling the bark off.
 
4 Then dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone and shake any access hormone off if your using the dust.

5.place plant in loose damp soil/mixed with vermiculite.
 
6.Clover with plastic or a mason jar to conserve moister.
 
7 When the roots form plant in a individual pot , This should happen in about 2 to 8 weeks depending on the plant.
 
Method 2
Large, clear plastic bags make great containers for starting cuttings. Simple put one cup of professional potting mix and one cup of vermiculite in a bag. Stick in your cutting (after dipping in rooting hormone) seal the bag. Place it in a warm , bright spot but not direct sun. the bag keeps in the humidity, the cuttings stay warm, and there's

Layering: This method is quite simple and easy to do to roses, perennials and bushes.
Simple dig a hole next to the plant that you wish to do this to , pull on branch down in to the hole with at least 2 inches of the tip of the branch sticking up out of the hole on the other side. Then cover the branch up with the dirt for the hole, be careful not to cover up the tip. Then leave it be for at least one or more months then simple un cover the dirt to check for roots, then cut the stem of the parent plant at the end of the root system, Then replant the new plant in it's new home.

Seeds
To start up 12 plants at a time , use a clean egg carton as a seed starter container. Punch holes in the bottom of each section for drainage, and file with all purpose potting mix. Never transplant a seedling until it has at least 4 leaves. The second set are "true leaves" are needed to help withstand transplanting shock.
Tip to planting seeds in your vegetable garden use a old salt shaker to sow small seeds in the rows, it will distribute the seed more evenly.
 

Propagation of tree and bushes seeds
On about the 100th day prior to your target planting date, take seeds and place them in a cup that will withstand some hot water. Draw warm to hot water from your faucet and pour it over the seeds. Most of the seeds will float, just leave the in the water overnight as the water cools down. 24 hours later most off the seeds will settled to the bottom of the cup, drain of the water. Place the seeds in a plastic bag with a mixture of sand and peat moss or other suitable mix. The peat or soil should be moist, but not soaking wet. Poke some holes in the bag so there is some air circulation , and place the bag in the refrigerator for a period of 100 days .
After 100 days you can plant the seeds outside. If you have timed it correctly, you should be at or close to your target planting date. To plant the seeds just sow them on top the bed of well drained topsoil or sterilized potting soil, and cover with approximately 3/8"of soil. Water them thoroughly, but allow the soil to dry out completely before watering thoroughly again.

This Table has information on many common trees, shrubs and flowers of many varieties so you can find the right technique for propagation for your needs.

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