Plant propagation... the basics

DoGooder.... this Utube presentation on wintersowing is pretty good (turn down your volume though... it's got a 'parade' type theme song that will blow your eardrums out! -:) ) At the end of the video... there are some links to other wintersowing sites that might be helpful. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6aSoaxdFo0 Nancy

And how is Dave doing right about now....

Peg, I'm glad you asked 'cause I was thinking the same thing.

Dave, how are you? Haven't heard from you in a long time. So hoping you are getting your pump working good. Bet you are out Christmas shopping aren't you? Just kidding. Let us know how you are doing.

Jeanette

About the preferred container for winter sowing - I like the milk jugs because they are opaque and the light is diffuse. Otherwise, a clear container lets in direct sun and seedlings lean toward the light source. Just my opinion and preference for the milk jug.

A.

LOL Amanda, You copied me didn't you!! Just said it different?

"The milk jugs would be probably best in a lot of sun."

NF2932, that's an excellent wintersowing video! Thanks!

DoGooder

Jnette & AmandaEsq, I see the advantage of using opaque containers, however I'm considering planting some very tiny seeds and I read that they need sunlight, so maybe they would do best in a clear container sprinkled on the top layer of soil?

DoGooder

Sometimes I use recycled disposal clear food containers with lids.
I found using the seed starter soil gave me a better success rate. When I use the SS soil, I use the smallest container for the first month then transplant and ferterlize.

DoGooder ... you're welcome... I'm glad it was of benefit.... I liked that it walked you through 'step by step'... everyone has had lots of good ideas... you will no doubt end up with TONS of seedlings! -:) Nancy

Howdy:
funny you should axe about how I am doing. Its been a rough couple of days ok well month to 6 weeks. check in over at the fireside chat. so I stay on target.

as for seeds i tend to sow seeds all winter long. and I just make sure they are watered and above freezing. As I always say i use my gallon jugs full of water as well as a light bulb to knock off the chill. I do a lot of the cooler crops. Viola, Dianthus, Columnbine, etc. just look at the temp guides
We are lucky in that we get a lot of growing days in the winter as we have a wonderfull winter patterns. anyone want to hear about iy just ask and I will dmail it to you.
I will suggest some of the clear flat covers. I guess i am spoiled in that I use a lot of the specialty stuff made just for that specific task. One thing i really liked to use were whats called clam shell containers. I will try to see what else I can think of and post tomorrow...
Dave

here is the link to check out my updates.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1231067/

plantsforpeg, thanks for recommending seed starting soil! I think I will sow some seeds in my regular potting soil and others in seed starting soil to see the difference.

Pughbear7, I didn't consider the effects of freezing weather. Thanks for mentioning the advantage of wintersowing cold-hardy plants! I will check the link to the fireside chat as well.

DoGooder

OK, I will put my 2 cent's worth in here just in case you would like some extra info on winter sowing.

I came across this concept many years ago on GardenWeb, before there was a Dave's Garden. The person that really carried the torch for winter sowing was Trudi Davidoff, and what a super gal! She now has her own non-profit website as well so I thought to share this with you too. She has a myriad of lists so be prepared to print them if you have a printer or at least save them to file or bookmark them.

http://www.wintersown.org

There are others as well as many books. some are even available at your local library. LMK if you want more websites for seed sowing and titles of books. (I got lots!) I need all the help that I can get. Every year I check out a stack of books on seed-sowing as well as getting out my own from my book shelf.

I just recently, a couple of years ago started doing this as before I was working full time, and then I had a series of operations that kept me out of the garden for a while. It was a mess, getting back in....so many weeds! But I love to do it anyway, but please do not ask me why. I do not have the answer. "Why do you love the bad boys ?" would be as logical of a question. I am 70 and everything hurts most of the time, but especially in winter. I do not want to live in a warmer climate though, unless we could afford it,as most are costly. Anyway, I love where I live but every place has its good points and otherwise. My otherwise contains tons of pine cones, gophers, moles, voles, ground squirrels, deer, coyotes, foxes, rabbits, mountain lions and mosquitoes, though not too bad this last year. On the plus side is fresh mountain air, no billboards, 20 miles outside of the nearest town/city and lots of trees and birds and for the most part, quieter than city life and 12 acres..

Oh, Hi Dave! Thanks I did not see you there, as we cross-posted. Well I guess it is OK as there cannot be too much info when it comes to propagation. I am glad that you are doing better. ^_^

evelyn_inthegarden, thanks for the web site link!

DoGooder

Hah! Y'all gott'a take a look at this thread about seed starting!

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/423028

Yeah, that's the one Evelyn. A long one, but a good read for sure! I'll be putting pencil to paper soon to start planning the garden for spring. How fun! And it's almost 70 deg. here today so it's almost like being there... Going to plant some yellow tulip bulbs I picked up for a steal and a few purple alliums (Wish they'd had more of those!!!).

Loveya!
A.

evelyn_inthegarden, thanks for the information about they hydrogen peroxide and water solution sowing technique! I'm considering using that technique for seeds I'm going to sow directly on the soil.

DoGooder

DoGooder:
I do a presoak on a lot of my seeds in a mix of organic micharhiza, kelp and other benificial organisms for at least 24 hours on my bigger seeds. Daylilies for example will sprout in the soak most of th time for me.

More thoughts on growing from seed in the winter month's. I remember that someone said that plants will continue to grow as long as the temp is above 40 degree's. with that said i get a lot of growth during the winter months as we are often over 40 and sometimes even into the 60's like monday was. I will try to get a new thread going by monday as I know Evelyn is on dial up and it takes forever to load.

Pughbear7, thanks for the information about the beneficial organisms! Maybe I will immerse the seeds twice, first in peroxide then in a solution with organic life.

DoGooder

I usually mix them together but I am not sure if maybe the hydrogen peroxide does any thing to the benificials. sound like a good question and a neat experiment. now just to find the energy to try it.
New page coming up

Ok everyone keep you hands and feet inside the car at all times. please secure all valuable as it might be a bit bumpy along the way especially the last turn and final hill coming int part II.

We are now here http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1234328/

Please check in as I do not want to loose anyone along the way.

the pic is of Blue Angle hosta
Dave