Propagation: part III based on my own experience

Greetings to all. for those who are new to this thread Please feel free to ask questions, as always the only dumb question is the one not asked.
We came from here: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/905796/

We were discussing winter sowing. The basics behind winter sowing is that you sow your seeds outside and let the natural weather patterns aid in germination based on each seeds requirements. There is an article on the subject that I will try to locate and post in a few moments. This is a loose group, we kind of get a bit silly at times...ok we go overboard on silly.. we are all here to help each other as well as pick up a few new tips we have forgotten or have never been exposed to the idea.
There are a lot of ways to get things done and the one thats right for you may not be "by the book", but it works so why fix it. Anyway Welcome.
Dave
Tulsa Ok zone 6b

Have we lost anyone?

If I didn't get lost, then you know everyone else will find it.!!! lol
Come on Jeanette, get over here.

I'm not lost, just not sure where I am most of the time. LOL But I am comfy here, so it's ok. I'm going out to take last minute cuttings, our temps are going to 28 tomorrow. I am trying to save my perilla magilla, some pineapple sage, and a few other things....... Don't tell hubby, he doesn't know I am bringing in more. LOL

If I bring in another plant, I'll have to sleep in the hole where they lived.!! I got my brugs cut back today so now I'll have about a million of them rooting! lol

I'm here!! Ok, I tried winter sowing last year with 2 flats of sweet peas. Sweet peas should be easy no?? Well, about 1/3 of them came up. Half the time they were covered with snow and ice and the other half the time they were thawed out with sun on them. Just like Lorraine said.

Jeanette

I'm here too! I tried winter sowing but last year I only got about 10% germination :-(
I was wondering about hostas and winter sowing- I have a lot of hostas I want to plant...??
If I don't winter sow, do hostas require cold stratification?

This message was edited Nov 18, 2008 3:05 PM

Most definately hosta's do require the cold stratification, I never get them to grow. I hate to admit it but they just don't like me, even though I keep trying.
Dave

Hostas are easy for me. I just sow them like any other perennial. either winter sow, or summer. Dave try soaking them overnight first.That may help. Linda

I have been outside cutting down everything I think I can possible root. Our temps are supposed to go to 26 tonight! I have brought in everything I could and cut everything I couldn't. Hubby has a fire in the wood stove ( cuz he is always cold) and I am trying to see if jacobinia and persian shield will root in water or if I need to take the stems out and pot them up. If I do, it won't happen tonight. My son and I have killer sore throats and fevers, so it's comfy sweats and chicken soup for us the rest of the night. Hope all is well where you all are colder than I. Linda

New here on this tread,and lost as usual LOL
I am in zone 8 but would like to know more, on taking softwood cuttings. and where can I find more info. I read 'Johns journal ' and have my tanks ready. Just not sure where to go from here. Would love some help, I know most of you are high up in zones, I tryed winter sowing last year and it did not work for me.
Tilly

Like what kind of softwood cuttings Tilly? What are the plants? When you say you have your tanks ready, do you mean your are going to bubble them?

I wonder if that is a Washington State thing Tilly, about the winter sowing not working for us. LOL, I got only about 1/3 of my sweet peas to germinate out in the snow last year. One day they would have ice and snow on them and the next they would be in full sun and steaming. I always thought sweet peas were suppose to be easy.

Linda, you guys take care of those sore throats and fevers. That's nothing to mess with. My SO almost ended up in the hospital a couple weeks ago with that. Instead he spent $500 for meds.

Jeanette

This one's a killer, but Dr. said it isn't strepp. It is just the nasty bug going around. Our temps did drop to 26 and I cut so many things yesterday that I have no more space for anything. I have a few things in water that I think I need to put in soil, but over all, I think I managed to save a good bit.

Tilly, if you are planning to use a bubbler, I have found they are great. I use a little peroxide in the water with mine too and it is amazing how much that helps.

I am planning to winter sow this year. Last year, i sowed a few things in the house in october and when they didnt germinate I stuck the flat outside and forgot it, well,this spring I had all kinds of things germinate, so I thought I would do that again, only this time, it would be intentional. LOL

I will still germinate a few things in the house if I can find space. I have some tropical seeds that won't overwinter, so I will germinate those indoors, but most of my perennials are going out.

I'm off to feed the birds and check their heater. I'll check in later.

Tilly it's nice to have you here.

Tilly:
welcome, have you read parts 1 and 2 of this thread. it gets a bit chatty from time to time but there is great info on them both.
Like jeanette I am curious abvout what you want to grow. maybe if we new the plants we might be able to give better advise.
Dave

Thanks for the warm welcome, dashing off to work now. this is the chamber I want to use.
http://www.jbest123.thegardenjournals.org/?p=70#comment-4

Ta Ta for now.
Mary

Hi Everyone:
It just dawned on me that if anyone has a specific question or doesnot feel comfortable asking a question in the thread. You can also send me an email to pughbear7@hotmail.com Please do not hesitate.
dave

Hey all,
I need to go back to 1 and 2, and start over. I just skim over them.
We had a really weired winter and spring not normal for here. nothing worked. I didn't even do my vegi garden.
But I want to take cuttings from:
Lilacs
Hardy Fuschia
Buddia
Ceanothus
Japanese Pieris
Boxwood
Dog wood
Just to name a few.
I am looking to start some of my own to add to my own project with out having to buy them.
This is my woodland area I started last spring. I have a acre of land and many other places to plant. I also want to use a part of it to have a small nursery when I retire. Its time to start learning.
This is was.

This is now.

Mary you came to the right place. I have been looking over a few wholesale liner and plug cataloges wondering which one would be best to present to the group for a possible co-op. If I run it it has to be small in participants. I have seen on a couple of threads that "they are stoping all co-ops" but I have yet to find it. I realize this is not quite the forum for a cop-op but I know most of the people here and feel I would have a better chance at less hassels. Still rolling the idea around in the ole noggen.
Ok I know several people have expressed intrest in fuschias and EE's(aroids). What else is everyone interested in? Hopeing to have just one or two growers to buy from. Oh well like I said just an idea for now nothing etched in stone.
Dave

Dave, I think that is a great idea. I can never buy enough liners to fill an order because of my space limitations. I would be interested in any perennial or tropical etc.

Mary, I love your idea, I was forced to quit work due to a spinal injury and now I am trying to start a small nursery too. It looks as though you have done quite a lot with your wooded area.

I am planning to experiment with azalea and camellia cuttings in forsythe pots this week. ( if I can find a place that hubby won't notice). I have brought in so many things that like Lorraine, I may have to move into one of the holes. LOL

Our temperatures hit 26 last night. By far the coldest night for us earlier than I can remember in a lot of years. We normally don't get a frost until mid december so this is strange. I hope it doesn't mean a harsh winter.

Well, I am off again DS is getting braces today, so I will need lots of soup on hand.. Have a great day everyone, Linda

Ps. Dave, how are your cuttings doing?

Hope ya'll are feeling better - it *is* that time of year, huh? And you, too, Dave.

We are forecasted (is that a word?) to hit 18 degrees in the next few nights. Brrrrr....rrrr....rrr...

So far all but my chrysanthemums and begonia leaves have rooted well. I have lotsa coleus, ismene, lochilos vine, and sweet potato vines (well, I didn't really propagate them) and some of the more succulent mums doing well. I started some coleus seeds and they actually started in *2 days*. Must be the heat mat, wow! And perhaps fresh seeds?

Dave, I would love a liner co-op. Especially if you do any types of veggies. But still ...BTW, the co-op forum is open, or I know of a way we could do it without connecting it to DG.

I am like Mary and Linda just started with both feet on the nursery thing. I have a couple of sites for ornamental grass and it sounds like it could be split to make 1 gallon pots instead of the #3's suggested. I will walk everyone through that if you need the help. Its pretty easy and its a way to have a continual crop forever unless you get a run on the silly things but is that a bad thing? NOT... LOL
So what is the idea on how to not connect dg to it. I think thats how all the trouble starts. one person doesn't realize the rules and then doesn't like the rules they failed to read at the begining and then they are mad. I think Dg staff just doesent want the hassel of dealing with the unnecessary crap. I really like it here and don't ever want to do anything to go against the terms of use for DG. and I think we all feel the same way.
Ok so we are upto 7 for the co-op. sheryl can you drop me an email ?Pughbear7@hotmail.com

Oh yea: some of the growers do sell herbs and veggies. one grower has them for either 38cents or as low as 10 cents on the 500 cell trays. Tomatoes 11 varieties, peppers, eggplant, cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli.

Sorry everyone..I am runnin on 4 hours sleep ... I go through this every now and then. I also spotted a 48 ft heating cable with themostat in it for $37.95. I am planning to buy one myself a bit later maybe santa will bring me one hmmm dear santa... I can explain...

Looks like a good price for that heating cable Dave. I would probably be interested in a co-op too but think you better be careful about that since you are in Dave's and they have the co-op forum up and running.

However, they are adement in stating that it is "at your own risk" meaning that they have no rules and will not enforce any.

Jeanette

I am sure if I did something wrong they would ley me know so I can correct the situation. At the moment I am just tossing the idea around. I think Lorraine wants a cable as well.
Hmmm question...do we have to start all co-ops in the co-op forum? I would think it would not matter where it was put together just that they are not responsable. We all should be able to follow a few simple rules. I guess with that said I should start the co-ops in their forum unless anyone has any advise as to how to proceed.
Dave

If you are concerned about it Dave, why don't you write to Terry or Melody in Admin and ask. Actually, Is it really necessary that you get the heating cables now, or could you wait until after Christmas? You might get a better response then.

Also, have you talked to any vendors about giving a discount for so many orders? Maybe you would want to do that before asking Admin, or maybe you would prefer doing it the other way around. Don't know. Just some thoughts.

Jeanette

Dave, I just looked at the coop forum and someone has started a thread asking for interest in heat mats. Take a look and ask them about the cables.

Jeanette

Jeanette:
I spotted that one after I posted my last dmail to you. the cables look great and seem to be heavy duty enough for what I am doing. I am thinking I might do a raised bed for RC next spring on the south side of the house. that side is suposed to be mine to do as I please. I am not sure though, I kind of like my cell program for liners. It gives me a nice clean little root pall and nothing to worry about as far as did I get enough roots on each cutting.

Ok, glad you saw it. nite, Jeanette

Howdy: I won't be on much today. it seems I brought a gift from the grandbabies back with me. YUCK ...the flu... I reread the sticky dave put up and all it said was 2 basic things.
1.They do not or will not be resonsible in any way shape or form for the out come of a coop. So we have to work it out amongst our selves. Good bad or nutral.
2. participapate at your own risk "Buyer beware".
I believe we have all been around enough to know that about the co-ops anyway. So I think we are good as far as playing by the rules. i will pose the questions to admin to double check an a day or so. I just wanted to post and get some soup.
Dave

Lorraine you have mail. I hope everyone is warmer than we are tonight brrr...
Dave

Hope you are ok tonight Dave. Don't you know that little kids are the dirtiest little critters on the planet earth? LOL

Hope you are better for Thanksgiving. That is just next week you know.

I am going to try to get the seeds out to you guys in the next day or 2. I am trying to get a lot of things done before I go to the hospital. Like cleaning my house, throwing a lot of stuff out because I am going to need a lot of room.

Jeanette

Hai guys, still computer problems. Yuk. If you have enough people who want to share some flats, youdon't have to do a "co op" on the co op forum. You can just share with the ones you want. The reason you do a co op is to get enough people to get the discount.

Most of the time the venders will have price breaks for certain amounts, i.e., if you buy 100 it will be cheaper than buying 10, etc. If you are buying from someone who sells trays of plugs, they have minimums, like 4 trays, etc., and that's why you'd doa co op from them. Prices are the same, cause they mainly sell to retailers, it's the bigger amounts you hae to get.

Checking d mail, David. Sorry I wasn't on last night. I made the mistake of playing a game and then showed it to my 7 year old grandson who is the "video game" king of the world, lol, so he had my computer tied up for hours.

Linda, I have just finished making a cable heat bed. it fits 4 nursery flats. I had anough cable that I could have made more but I have a small greenhouse and am limited on space. after making the bed I put 1 inch of 3/4 minus gravel on top of that and then set my flats on that or cuttings. also on the Hosta seed. they are viable as soon as you want to germinate them. they don't need stratification, or light until after they sprout. if you are waiting to sow them in the spring, put them in the freezer. I start germinating my hybrid seed in late Oct. early Nov. I grow them on a plant stand that I put together with 5 shelves and 2 double florescent lights per shelf. I use a commercial soil mix just for germinating seeds. after they get their true leaves I up pot them. in the spring I move them out into my greenhouse. Jim

Greetings Jim:
Thanks for the great advice. I think there are a few of us that will use that tecnique. Do you grow anything other than hostas?
Dave

Dave, I do grow other companion plants with the Hosta, but they are my main focus, in hybridizing, and growing the seedlings. Jim

So, Jim - did you do the wood box+ sand + heating cables? Or something else?

I went a little crazy with Hosta this year, hope I get some seed out of them this coming year. That would be fun to try.

Thanks Jim, As soon as our weather warms back up, I will try to get my cold frame recovered. I could definitely use some heat beds like that out there. I was really thinking about using the sterlite storage boxes with rope lights and sand to see how that works. I love experimenting with germination. LOL I guess it's the little "science geek" kid left in me. LOL

I like the idea of 5 shelves with florescent lights. I currently have a table that holds 4 flats under a light, but I sure need more and If I just built it up, then it wouldn't take up any more actual space.

Have any of you tried the beer fertilizer recipe that is listed on the brug forum? I modified it a little and used it on my epiphyllum, brugs and some other plants and then I diluted it and started using it as a rooting solution. So far I have had fantastic results rooting brugs, morning glory trees, perilla, and a few other things.

I have some fresh hosta seeds, so I may try to start those this week. I also want to start some brugs, plumeria, and strelitzia. Maybe I can rig a light under my table too.
Yipee, Can't wait to run that idea by hubby. LOL He's gonna love it............

Hope ya'll are warm. It's 27 tonight, but I have a fire in the wood stove and hot tea in my cup. Life is good.
Linda

Oh Jim, I forgot to ask, Can you recommend some really fragrant hosta? I have guacamole and I love it. I would also like to have more fragrant varieties. I have lots of shade. Do you have any ideas? Thanks, Linda