Plant Propagation part XXV based on my own experience

When you have a silent argument, your body language speaks very loudly. Actually mine were very subtle but he got the message loud and clear.

The snow is so heavy on these trees that I really expect the power to go out any minute. Will be amazed if it doesn't. Bob went to bed and brought me a flashlight first.

Ok, for your "inquiring minds" MB stands for Myrtle Beach. It is about 40 miles from us and I hate to go there! ( hence the whiny, ok but you will do what I want too attitude). I have lost nothing there and he knows I hate to go, but DH has problems seeing to drive at night and DS only has a permit.

I cannot believe cigs are $8.00 /pack. I quit 9 years ago, ( yes after a very drastic event) and now wonder how people can pay 4 and 5 bucks a pack. Especially the school kids I see smoking when they think no one sees them. ( I guess Moms and Dads aren't sure whether they are buying cigs or lunches.)

Sharon, I am sorry you had a silent argument., but it is nice to know someone else does that too. DH and I have done that for years. Even to an extent with DS. My neighbor once told me she couldn't believe I had a teenager because it was always so quiet here.... no one ever yelled! I just told her none of us is hard of hearing and made a mental note to remember that she seems to want to listen in on our activities.... ( can anyone say Eee Uuu, Creepy!) nosey old biddy!

Canna seeds look a lot like little black peas. ( they are not as big as marbles, but probably a little bigger than a green pea.) they are dark brown ( but look more black) sometimes they are shiny, but most often have a matte finish to them. They sprout easily if you nick and soak them, or if they are fresh, you don't even have to nick them.

When I put the cuttings in sphagnum moss, I moisten the moss and add very little potting mix. Then I cut a piece of plastic ( I use plastic a little thicker than a garbage bag, but anykind would work) about 12 inches wide. I lay the moss mixture and cuttings on 1/2 of the plastic and then fold the other have over, then I roll the whole thing up like a jelly roll, with tops of the cuttings sticking out. Then I tie the bundles and put them in the greenhouse where they won't freeze. Usually by spring, my cuttings have rooted in the plastic and moss, and I can just take them out and plant them where I want them, or pot them up. In fact I need to do some of those later on.


We are getting rain and wind today. Our temps are supposed to go from a high of 58 to a low of 26 tonight. I am heading out to the greenhouse in a bit to water everything and make sure the little heater gets left on.

Has anyone rooted snoball viburnum?
Gotta go, still have tons to do. I will check with everyone later.
sea ya

LOL, We call that the "cold treatment" Linda and Sharon. Also, we don't have anyone within miles to hear anything. They would have to have very good ears.

Are those hardwood cuttings Linda? Do any of you take cuttings of the Black Elderberry Sambucus? The instructions all say to cut them back to about a foot in the spring. But, I don't really want a big bush. Right now I have one main trunk and a few small ones like suckers.

I tried canna seeds last spring and they didn't take. Yes, I nicked and soaked them.

The one I have collected have a fuzzy coating on the outside. I am assuming the seeds are inside. Some people here soak them in boiling water. They just boil the water, turn off the heat and put in the seeds., I think I might try that. I have a bunch of seeds if anyone wants some.

Not going to do much today. Woke up with a headache in one eye. We are in the 70s again today so I think I will take a long walk.

I never yell at Vern because he will pout for days. I actually never criticize him because he will do the same. He was the youngest and his two brothers were in high school when he was born so he was pampered. His brother warned me before we got married. It is not that hard to do. I just keep my mouth shut. I came to the conclusion a long time ago we do not march to the same drummer so I just go with that.

I also smoked but never at home, never before noon and very seldom in my office. But I did enjoy it. Vern hated it and I tried to quit for him. Could not make it. When I decided to quit for myself, I was fine. But it took about three years for the total thought to go away when I saw someone smoking. There is no way I would be paying that for a pack. But I do spend that on plants.

I will check in later. I am going to get my shower, get dressed and go for a walk, Later Friends. Sharon

Sharon ~ Love that picture! HaHa....my mom and dad and two grandparents all smoked. When I was little, and they were at the table playing cards or something, I had to leave the room as I could hardly breathe. My Papa (GPa) died when I was 12 of TB, my dad died when he was 70 - heart problems, and my mom died of emphysema. It wasn't so much the dying, but the quality of life for that last 20 years of life was so poor. People do not realize. My mom quit smoking a few years before she passed on, but too late as she was not a good candidate for a lung transplant. That was what she needed in order to live as the lungs got worse each year. It was so sad. I thought when we moved "up north", that we would do lots of activities together. She was barely able to walk across the room and always had oxygen with her. When she was younger and smoking only had a little tiny cough...barely noticeable. The young kids have no idea that they will suffer later on if they do not quit. Some people it doesn't bother, but how does one know? OK, I am off the "ciggy soapbox" well, almost. Right after she quit, she tried to get others to quit. I think it was like I tried to get her to quit for years. Like Sharon said, I think it is only when one feels the need to quit, they will. My son smoked from age 14 to 21. Then he quit. He said it was the hardest thing he ever had to do. I am glad I never liked it as I would probably be doing it too. OK, I am off now!

I haven't smoked in 8 years but you know you guys, the more you talk about it the way you are now, even to other people, the more you make an ex-smoker want a cigarette. i.e. don't talk about it to people who are trying to quit. I know.

My parents did the Schick Center to us kids and frequently drove on long, 3 hour trips one way in the car with the windows rolled up and puffed us out for 6 hours, then when we were whiny with head aches my mom would say, "Be quiet and chew this Wrigleys gum, to this day I hate all Wrigleys gum but Cinnamon, it gaggs me.

Ya'll are funny.
Jnette, I don't have any of the black sambucus, so I have never tried cuttings of those. Yes, I guess the jelly roll method would be better with hardwood cuttings, because in the spring and summer, the little roots would be baked.

I have simply come to accept the fact that I will only be a non-smoker until I light another cigarette. I smoked for many years and would not have quit except for the fact that i got so sick and my lungs hurt so badly I couldn't stand to walk by someone with a cigarette, let alone light one myself. Now that I have the asthma, I really don't want the pain and struggling for air. I have a brother who still smokes and a teenager who listens to me telling him, " you know you can't get away with it, I can smell you at the door".LOL and they think no one knows.

Just watered everything in my greenhouse. The heat is on and lights are going. Temps are supposed to go to 26 tonight, but they have a long way to drop, so maybe it won't get that cold. If it does we will have a major storm. It's ok, we can use more rain. LOL

Sharon, that is a cute picture.

Hey, has anyone heard from Dave?

sea ya

I wish I had a small greenhouse.

Dawn, I remember when my dad's cousin went to the schick center to lose weight... it must have been torture.

I guess it did not work all in all or it would still be around.

Well, Harbor Freight is advertising their 6 x 8 for $250. I guess there was a fellow on GardenWeb that gave instructions for installing that greenhouse and said when he got done it was a very stable and sound gh.

My daughter was going to buy their 10x12 gh but then decided like me that she doesn't get enough sun. The vacant lot next to her has overgrown trees that almost shade her entire lot.

So, we lost Dave and JB too. What's the matter, she didn't like me calling her a bad ass? Hope she isn't sitting there sulking. Maybe whining and kicking the little dog, Barney.

Or, she didn't want to hear everybody talking about not smoking. Bet that's it. It drove her to grab another cigarette. Believe me, if that's the case, I am really sorry. I think we need to get off that kick. Or maybe I'll have one with her.

OMG, first religion, now smoking. What next. Maybe propagation.

I did absolutely nothing today. I was going to go for a long walk and a friend called and ended up on the phone for 45 minutes. I finally begged for relief and took my shower. Never did get rid of my headache. Tomorrow I am going to hit the floor running. I am really close on finishing the garage. One good day should finish it. BUT we are also suppose to have great weather, so I could garden.

I do still have a few packages I need to get in the mail.

Watching the weather, JB is probably very cold and very wet with either rain or snow.

OK, a stupid question. How do you tell the difference between soft and hard wood? Maybe I will ask Google.....Later Sharon.

Jeez Sharon, I am glad I am not the only one asking, what one may consider, "stupid questions" I have often wondered that myself. Maybe the smoke got in my eyes :) I will wait with you for the answer. I bet JB is sitting back with her gin and a cig laughing at the both of us. Later
Lee

Sorry you guys if I offended you, but I was just being honest. Maybe it is time for me to drop the forum. Maybe I am getting touchy.

ttyl,

You didn't offend me Jnette, in fact I kind of feel like I started all of it with my comments about teaching Bible study and then freaking at 8 bucks a pack for smokes.

The difference between hardwood and softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings is: hardwood cuttings are normally taken when the plants are dormant. It will snap or break easily if you bend it. ( definitely has dark brown stems, like it is covered in bark.)
Semihardwood, is usually taken early in the fall. The new growth from the spring has hardened up a little, and rather than breaking it will bend.( looks kind of green, but beginning to take on the brown bark color)
Softwood is usually taken after the plants first flush of growth in the spring. Normally taken in june or july and are very soft and flexible. ( looks very green)

Hope that helps a little.

Have a great Monday everyone, i am off to work but I will check in later, Linda

"Sorry you guys if I offended you, but I was just being honest. Maybe it is time for me to drop the forum. Maybe I am getting touchy."

HA! You getting touchy, give me a break. Drop the forum.
I for one am not offended and if I feel like talking religion or cigarettes I will. I feel when you are among friends, if they are true friends, they will put up with more crap than most people. So, if you are a good friend of Jen's you put up with whatever she says bothers her, and do it anyway. LOL.....I am really a darling most of the time. Did what I just said make sense. I know what I meant. And Miss J. if you go anywhere I will follow you and talk about whatever bothers you. I promise.

I have not been pouting or kicking the dog. I have been closing down my internet business for the winter and trying to decide when to take more cuttings of Christmas Cactus so I can more plants this Spring. I have to research some additional links. I must water and feed all the plants today when I return from the cemetery with stuff for Christmas, the bank, the post office and the grocery store. Oh God, thinking about it makes me tired. Speaking of tired, WHERE IS DAVE?

I also have been completing the Christmas shopping online.

Now that my old cousin is in the Assisted Living she is so happy and it makes things so pleasant. She is so funny.She is going to be 90 next month and she said in the move someone stole her ladder.
I told her NO, Nobody stole the ladder, they took it from you because you are too old to be hanging your own curtains and if you fall they are responsible. Well, she understood, but she still wants to know what they did with her ladder. Does that sound like my family????? We are all crazy in some ways I swear. She says she feels like a real lady for a change, she no longer needs to cook, clean or shovel snow. She can sit on her butt and do puzzles.. She went into a Private facility in the town where we were kids and after city apartment living, she feels so secure she says she sleeps now. Thank God she is finally settled. This has been a real trial for all of us, especially my wonderful DIL who has been doing all the leg work.

Gotta go. Love and Hugs.JB

Jeanette, if you leave, I leave, now how is that for a threat???? I don't see how anyone would be offended. We are all adults, well most of us anyway:), and if we can't take the heat, we need to get out of the kitchen. There isn't much that would offend me, and certainly not on this forum. I consider all of you friends, and among friends talk should be no holds bared. If you can't say things to your friends, they probably shouldn't be said at all!!!!!
Enough said about that.
I agree, where's Dave??? Sometimes I worry about that boy----I know pain can get you down, but a word now and then would be appreciated so we know you are OK. Probably is so busy playing with plants he has no time for us oldies :)
Can't think of any plant talk so will ttyal, Lee

mornin:


I am not lost just got "painted into a corner so to speak. DW decided to paint the plywood we used as a subfloor when we raised the livingroom floor. had to keep off for 2 days and of course she gave me the required 24 hours notice ...NOT....
and now to further agrivate things I have some kind of virus kicking in the computer so I will post this and continue next post asap

Ok so I also have the nasty flu that returned to haunt me. I had a bad cold a couple of weeks ago if you remember well it hung on in my throat and decided to hit me like a freight train last night. Today we will hit a balmy 33 degrees as well. so its a good day to curl up and keep warm under my blankie.
I did start a course of zpak last night so it should help. I don't want to have this silly cold stop my shot on friday.
Linda great description on the differnt types of cuttings.

I forget whi was chatting about a greenhouse. personally I would use stick lumber and build one. I am planning to build one when we put up the garden shed.

brb

well it did it to me again.....
I will get back online later to retype the last thoughts I had.

I think we all get along and no one ever intends to run anyone off or offend anyone. if that is the intention I am sure we can all be adult enough to take it outside and solve the issue... not solve the issue scream and yell..... I know it tough to understand the inflection behind some of the messages here. I know I am often very carefull as sometimes I think I am or could be taken as offensive and I know I do not want to hurt anyones feelings

sorry for my absecse this weekend
more to follow after my nap
dave

There is a stranger among us. SHHHHH everyone, don't let him know we are listening.

HI DAVE!!

Wow, you got it all didn't you? I had to do the Zpak thing last week. It pretty much did the trick.

Yes, it is 45 degrees here would you believe?? We had 2 feet of snow a few days ago, now we have 4 inches. It is melting fast. The Pineapple Express from Hawaii. Now of course it is causing floods. Never anything normal. Goes from one insane thing to another.

But, I don't hear JB whining about the cold yet.

Linda, I always thought if the twig snapped and was brown that it was dead. Not so?? I might go out and get some starts off of my ninebark and try them. How long do you think they would take to root?

See, I would think they were frozen if they snapped and were brown inside. Frozen or dead. Or did you not say brown inside? Maybe I did.

Now JB, is this lady cousin the one the son was so worried about? I hope so. Maybe he will do better? It is nice to hear that she is happy where she is.

Or is the one I am thinking about a friend? Can't remember.

Oh thank goodness, Dave is realitively OK. Good thoughts. Glad you are alright for the most part. That flu can be nasty, but I was worried about your cronic pain. (not me) :) Hope all goes well with the shot.
Later, Lee

Ok, here it is, If I offended anyone I am sorry. I agree with JB and Lee, I will follow you all around.........

Dave, its good to see you back. ya can't stay away too long ya know.
Jnette, I didn't mean brown inside, I meant brown like bark on the stems..... If you take a cutting now and wrap it up like a jelly roll, then put it in a warm place and keep it until spring, it should root by spring........

I was finally able to get to my sphagnum moss, so I hope to take some camellia cuttings tomorrow. I will let you know if they root any faster over the winter than by taking the cuttings in july and august.

JB Your cousin sounds wonderful. DH had an Aunt with that kind of spirit and she was such a joy. ( she could be a real booger at times too, but most of the time, she was just so much fun. She is missed.) Oh and I am really happy you're not kicking little barney. He has had it rough in the past few months. ( said jokingly with love JB,)

I met a little puppy I would love to have brought home tonight. DH doesn't want another one, but I keep telling him hey I could be asking for more babies ya know.......... ( so the difference is between the two.... # of leggs they are all babies.) he isn't budging, but he knows me too well.

It was too cold here today. I think the high only got to about 36 and the wind blew all day long......... We made corn chowder and took it to mom's, but I am not warm yet. ( her house is big and feels cold to me.) Since she lost her sight, we are trying to go and help out with things more often. It isn't that far, but after school and dinner, sometimes it is hard to get there. I definitely don't get anything done after we get back.
I managed to work a little today, but I wasn't satisfied with what I designed. This past week it has been like that. I haven't liked anything I have made. LOL
Hope everyone has a great night.
Linda

Linda, I think Jnette was pulling your leg. But I loved your description. I went on line and read it again and came back again confused.

My Queen of Sheba is still blooming and putting on new growth. So I would assume soft wood. I am going to go with that idea.

I had my handyman's son as a helper today. I said yesterday I was going to hit the floor running this morning. Well I did, the handyman came in and set off the alarm. I told him I would leave the front door unlocked and I did open it but I forgot to take off the alarm.

Anyway, we kicked butt in the garage. Took everything out of the three built in cabinets. It is all in the middle of the garage on the floor. I could not believe how many duplicates I found of SO many things. I gave them all the junk i did not want so they could sell it on Craig's list. Now I am going to put together one shelf for propagation, two for fertilizers, one for spray paint and on and on.

I did find some canna seeds inside the pods that were shiny. I also found a bunch that were dried up. I think I harvested them to early. I have a bucket full of seeds I have harvested over the summer. I have them in open sandwich bags with a paper inside saying what they are. I found a whole bunch of Red Seed of the Texas Laurel. The Texas Laurel looks like a blue lilac. Slow growing tree. Evergreen.

If anyone finds anything I say offensive or hurt their feelings, then you are not reading it right. I love you all.

Have a wonderful day tomorrow. I am going to try to finish the garage tomorrow. And they are going to help me put out Christmas decorations in the back landscape for the toddlers park.

Ok ok you guys. I am not going anywhere. You know I can't keep my mouth shut. If I didn't have you all to yell at, swear at sometimes, etc. then where would I be? I don't have neighbors to do that to and Bob won't listen. So you're it.

I guess if you think you can talk about some things then I can talk against them. Right???

So Linda where is the puppy?? I wouldn't bring another dog in here for anything. I just took care of the two we have for a week and I don't know how Bob does it. They do get away with a lot more with him then they do with me. In and out, in and out, because they get a treat almost every time they come in. What is wrong with that guy that he can't see they are using him? He does love those dogs.

Ok I will take some cuttings of the ninebark, wonder if I can get Bob to go thru the snow and get a couple of the Black Elderberry, and then I think I have some moss. I will try it.

I saw on the news tht you guys are having a rough week weatherwise. Bundle up when you go out, keep anti freeze in the car etc. If it really gets cold leave your water in the sinks running a little bit to keep them from freezing up.

Sharon we cross posted. What are you confused about now for cripes sake? See, I still CAN yell at you. LOL

Think I'll go to bed. nite

Linda, what kind of puppy?

We took the dogs to the groomer last week and as soon as we got home after leaving them there, the groomer called and said the female was limping very badly. I told her the dog was conning her and there was nothing wrong with her leg. She does the same thing to me when Vern leaves town or if we bring out the suitcases.

I am with Jnette, I cannot imagine the weather you guys are having getting any worse. Our airport was full of people sleeping on the floor because all the flights were canceled to Chicago, Atlanta and just about anywhere east. It was this weekend the National Rodeo was over so there were many individuals leaving.

Anyway, tomorrow is another day. The garage should be done, we will be in the 70s again and then we will be going down to the 50s Wednesday afternoon. Then I will have time for cuttings AND I will not have to climb over 2 feet of snow to get to them.

Love you all. Sharon

I do not understand CRIPES sake. Sounds like a Japanese fish....

I am going to bed in about 20 minutes.

The puppy belonged to a friend of my brothers. It was a cross between a boxer and a weimeraner. It was the most gorgeous silver color and had the sweetest face and clumsiest little boxer body. LOL it was really funny. The deal is my cat is 17. my son 15, my dachshund 10 and my mutt is 4. I truly don't need another baby. Need and want however never meet in the middle............. my 4 year old mutt really needs someone who can keep up with him. I'm still working on DH, begging for a baby under the tree............... LOL ( yeah right).

Right now it is 23 degrees and our wind chill is 14. I don't think we had a day this cold all year last winter. I'm definitely putting a fire in the wood stove today. I need to work a little today.
Hope everyone has a great day.
I'll check in later.

OK..............IT WILL START NOW.

The weather is sub freezing, in the teens and going no higher than 26 today. It is cloudy and very windy, so the weather feels like single digits. I am not going to say anymore.
I am thinking it and just went online and bought a Kindle DX so I can read it in large letters or have it read to me. I spend too much time on the computer in the winter and watching crappy TV, I thought it might be a good idea to get back to the books and with this I may be able to read more. I do miss reading. i love mysteries and I am hoping it is money well spent. I was going to buy the cheaper one but it is only 6 inches instead of the 9 inches the DX has and I feel that will suit my needs better.

Must feed and water ALLTHE PLANTS IN THE HOUSE AND GREENHOUSE TODAY.
Also must sew which I did not get done yesterday. And since I am in charge of dinner, it is made because I did it in the slow cooker yesterday so I can just heat it up today. I am sneaky. LOL. I did not get as much done yesterday as I wanted to so off I go and am going to keep moving until I am done. Love you all. JB

Good afternoon all:
I am on the mend so to speak. I will break this up because my computer like to shut down at will. Its going in this weekend for debugging. I think my niece opened something and checked yes and it started the adds for virus ware. it keeps me from running my virus protection on the computer... sneaky little sob ....
brb

How about a boxerimer????

Hardwood cuttings typically take 6 months and longer. i take my boxwood cuttings stick them in a corner of the greenhouse in back and forget abot them. they get watered and all so I can do other stuff. if you can find somewhere to stick the cuttings somewhere out of the way they should be ok...

Lost this one so I retyped and BRB

Friday I will get to sleep the day away and have my niece handy to wait on me if I need it... of course I usualyy go do what I need because I get it done faster... is everyone that way????

well I will be going now.... be back soon I hope
Dave

OH MY GOD IT IS COLD! I have the heat on high on two greenhouse heaters and it is only 65 deg. in there and falling quickly. I cleaned up the GH today , watered and fed everything inside and in the house, made sleepy huts for the birds, did two loads of laundry which I need to fold and put away and now I am making dinner.

Talked to my two old cousins to be sure they were o.k. in this weather and I must work on Christmas stuff later. There is one good thing about this weather, but I can not think what it is. Hope you all have a good evening.

JB, I thought you said last summer that you were not going to b**** about the cold!! That's what you said. Now this is just the beginning!!

Are any of you interested in getting Japanese Maples in the spring for $20? He has a pretty good selection. I got one this year, hope it makes it thru the winter 'cause I have it in a planter on my deck. It is a real nice plant. I am trying to talk the same lady into having another one. She had them on Marketplace because she has a nursery license and can't sell on the coop.

But she doesn't want to do it again. Said she had about 6o trees go out. I think they were sent right from the nursery tho. One of the nurserymen back there was really complaining about her selling them. Well, he only sells JMs. So he felt it was taking money out of his pocket.

Dave, this might be something you would want to do??? Mine is Viridis. green

Dave, I'm glad you're on the mend. The cold is kicking my butt.......... I didn't get much accomplished today and I lost a couple of things that i spent forever looking for only to realize that 1 I am the only 1 who messes with them and 2 next time I want to make something else, they will be in my way. I finally decided that I would just check in on everyone and enjoy the fire and maybe i will pick up a book.

JB, I am kind of jealous! I've been thinking about a kindle. I may try to talk hubby into 1 after Christmas......... I just discovered google books too. there are so many outlets now............ so many books, so little time. I like the idea of being read to as well.... I have the heater on in the greenhouse too and my son told me that some of my plants look really burnt. I can't get anymore heat in there though, so I will just have to watch what happens tonight and tomorrow.

I'll have to pass on the japanese maples. they just blister here in the summer. I have seen a couple that are pretty, but for the most part they just take a beating.......

Hope everyone is warm and well. See ya tomorrow.

JB does Jeannette need a restraining order now?
You guys I pray you don't have a year like you did last Winter. It was on our news how much of the US was frozen under snow. We on the other hand was having hot, 80's. Freak heat. Now we will flip flop. We are heading for cold and wet, big storms back to back. Mother Nature forgot her Lithium.

Poor Dave must be dieing in this weather.

I have not done crap in my yard but turned my water on and hosed the plants, but nothing is propagating, most everything is dormant or gone. The Brugs are my only rooting cuttings, one is doing great, the other is hanging in there.

Boy that Boxer Weimer, sounds absolutely gorgeous.