Propagation: Propagation: part IV based on my own experienc

Lorraine, has anyone ever told you that you are hilarious? Dummy a bad name - I'll have to remember that one. Too funny!

Look at everyone. I pop out of town for a day and its earthworms 101... I had a greatgrandpa that raised both red wigglers and night crawlers. Jim if you need some once I dig out of my tree extravaganza I will rocket some out to you. I do know some people used to use old bread under a board to collect fresh ones.
Bait shop is a good alternative though.
lorraine how about the weather ???? today was upper 70's and now its below freezing... high chance of snow...
Anyone need any firewood???? Pics tomorrow Crazy ...i am a bit loopy and you will see why.....
Dave ... a bit off center but still here

'Yes', Jim, please save it for me, would love to have it. When I get a chance when I can get to work outside, I will see if I can get a batch of worms started for you. And really check out your GH. ^_^ I want to start that indoor worm bin, but I have no place to but it. I have hit on a idea of a table that we used. at the collage I worked for I maintain the nursery GH when there where no classes. They had a 4' x 6' (or it may have been bigger this was years ago) table with 8" sides, heat cable under a mix of gravel one the bottom and sand on the top. and would place the seedling trays one top. then it had a plastic curtain that when around the whole table and was inclose with a misting water system and set with a timer. Just need to remember how they did it.

Dave, I need some fire wood, but I don't think I could afford the shipping cost LOL.

Tillysrat, that's basically how my bed is done. except for the misting. were they doing greenwood and harwood cuttings? I've only done greenwood. I've wanted to do the hardwood but need the misting to do it. I'd like to see the finished product, and your garden of course this spring. Jim

Has anyone tried the EZ Clone 120 Hydroponic machine? I have a chance to buy a used one for $150, and was wondering if it is worth it?
It retails for around $450

Tilly: What a beautiful dahlia! I hope you don't lose her either.

Lynn, I have a friend who has one, it's about 3 years old. and it has worked great for her. if you can get it for $150 I'd say buy it. that's a great price. $450 is the going rate. I've seen some home made ones and they're not bad at all. but not as good as the one your talking about. I made up some of my home made rooting formula for my friend. she was paying $25 to $40 for a pint of rooting hormones at the hydroponics store. I can do it for a lot less. good luck, Jim

Thanks Jim.
I just got home with my new toy. It is much bigger and in better shape than I expected it to be. (I haven't plugged them in yet, though). It constantly bathes the cuttings with warm water via misters. I also picked up 2 grow lights 48" to use with it. I just need to make a bracket for them. Do I need light on them while they are rooting? He lost the instructions, so it will be trial and error. What temp should the water be for the cuttings?

Tell me more about your rooting formula. I bought some Grandma Enggy's H2 Humic Acid, is that a rooting hormone? I am so excited to play with this. I have had pretty good success so far with just sticking cuttings in a seed starter mix with heat mats. But I wanted to try this method.

He lives in Renton and has 3 more for sale, if anyone is interested.

Yes Jim they did everything in it, Hardwoods, softwoods, and leaf cuttings from the spores. this was a school that taught Hortaculture, the say thing is I was just the care taker never got to get involved. wish I got to be there when the class was there. And guess what, It was at the Olympia collage in Bremerton 1983.

Good morning:
Lynn. To answer your question about Grandma Enggy's H2 Humic Acid.
I have been trying to read through everything I can find on the subject of humic acid, fulvic acid and mycorrhiza. From what I have read, the humic and fulvic acids have to do with availability of nutriens within the soil. The product you are asking about seems to me to be a soil conditioner that will aid in nutritional uptake from the soil by the plant, which is a good thing.
I have been reading up on mycorrhiza and its effects on root development. What I have sumized thus far is that addition of mycorrhiza to our soils, rooting media and soilless planting media would be advisable. I have a couple of products coming in that I want to try to see what the difference will be between cuttings, rooted transplants and landscape plants installed.
It seems Kind of unique that you have inquired about rooting compounds and the use of "super rooting hormone", at the same time as I am researching for my own use. I believe we will come up with an inexpensive alternative to the "wonder hormone".
Currently I use dip-n-grow for my propagation, but that is about to change, I think...
We have a great bunch of people here on this thread and everyone seems to have good information to add and it gives us a well rounded group.
I hope this all makes sense
Dave

Thanks Dave, I am glad to have a comrade in my research! I picked up (free at Walmart pharmacy) 2 of the medicine droppers so I can be more accurate and not waste my products since they are rather pricey. For about a month now, I have been watering and misting my cuttings that I took in November with the Humic Acid, H2O2, and Superthrive water. I now have new growth on many. I also did the same on my Boxwood, Passiflora, Rosemary, and Palms that I started last year. They now have new growth, instead of just sitting in their little pots looking at me. It may be just their time to grow, but I think the products are helping. The hydrangea cuttings are doing fantastic, and the Sambucus cutting is leafing out.

I was using Root tone. but it is old. I bought some Biogel, have not tried it yet. I am hoping to get my EZ Cloner set up today. I need a bigger GH! I was going to make my own bubbler, but the EZ will make up to 120 cuttings at once, and the price was right.

I will look up the mycorhizza in a few minutes. Also the fulvic acid. I was going to go to the Hydroponic store later today or tomorrow, and bring money! It's too bad it is all so expensive to try out.

What products do you have coming? I am so happy to have people like you to share ideas with! Thank you!

Lynn:
I convinced myself to try out Tarantula AND Piranha. I ordered them through ebay. free shipping and it was $1.00 cheaper to bid and win. Hey 2 bucks is 2 bucks. My line of thinking is that they both contain a certian amount of mycorrhiza and the 2 together seemed to cover the best range of options.
I am trying to find the site I had. it discussed growing your own inoculant which is something I want to do. Anyway I am hopeful that these two products will allow me to expand them to be able to use the one buy to inoculate everything I grow. Probably wishful thinking but hey I like to dream big.
Now the fuvic and humic acids are two different ranges of a mineral that has the compound. I probably have it all mixed up so I will stop with the description. Maybe the hydroponics guys can explain the difference to you. Here is the link of the place I buy from on ebay. I like the mail order thing. It keeps me from having to go out and hunt down the new stores. I will be doing more reading and get back to you on anything I find.

Dave

Dave , You forgot to attach the link .

sorry bout that. I was not sure if everyone wanted to follow the trial and error I am doing. Here it is.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Advanced-Nutrients-Tarantula-Beneficial-Bacteria-50g_W0QQitemZ120358014166QQihZ002QQcategoryZ43555QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1713.m153.l1262

I am trying this to see how it works for me. I am also using

http://cgi.ebay.com/Advanced-Nutrients-Piranha-50g-Hydroponics-FREE-SHIP_W0QQitemZ120358606362QQihZ002QQcategoryZ43555QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

It will be an expensive trial at least in mind its pricey to try. Please let us know how things go for you and your results on the products you are using.
Everything I have read refers to mycorrhiza playing an important part in root production. For me it stands to reason that if the root zone is growing the top has to be following right behind them. I have always compaired root size to the leafy size of a plant. I also read where they also help in strengthening the resistence to phytopthera and rhizoctonia (both soil diseases effecting the roots). there fore in my pea brain it stands to reason that if it stops 2 or 3 diseases from forming then we will have a much better plant.
I think I need to add a second syory to my green house. Do I need a building permit? attached is a pic of the tree we had taken down. Anyone need any fire wood. all it will cost is shipping. How many logs will fit into a flat rate box?
I am hopeing to be able to post some results of my new experiment soon.

sorry about the wrong photo. I will find it and send it tomorrow This is kim and the grandbabies
Dave

You have some Darlings there Dave !!!!
OK how much is 50g? Is it a liquid form? If it is that isn't really a bad price for 50g. It really sounds like it might be good stuff.

Cute family, Dave.
It would be much cheaper for me to order online, instead of all of the temptations in the store. But, then again, it is so EASY to just click a litlle button, and VOILA, it is mine, all mine!
I am going to order one of them. I like the idea of innoculating the plants and getting bigger, healthier roots at the same time. Keep me informed of your results.

Dave, google the humic acid, there are several that are soo much cheaper and reputable dealers. you're going to pay the most at a retail hydroponics place. for the rooting hormones look up super-grow.biz. they sell the hormones and you can mix them yourself. I have had several threads on doing this. on Dave Garden. Super-Grow has the humic acid and Mycorrhizae also. SG deals mostly to the hobbiest. in small quantities. also there's a lot of information from the users of the products. they're very reasonable on the shipping also. Jim

It looks like I have a lot more homework to do on the subject. One thing jim pointed out was that using the mycorrhiza in the mix we have to be careful not to use harsh chemicals for insect and disease controll because they will kill off the benificial micros we are trying to create. Its going to be a fine line to walk.
I wounder how the mycorrhiza would react to a pyrithroid pesticide? Being of an organic origin maybe it would be ok? sounds like a lot of trial and error. Here is the pic of firewood... I hope
Dave

O'''' Please send that to me, Ha Ha
That looks like good wood. Wish LOL

Oh Lordy Dave I sure wish I had that here. I wouldn't have to worry about camping wood for a couple years LOL

OK, I looked at the Super Grow link, and now I don't know what to get. Probably the Kelp Extract & Fulvic Acid, Gibberelic Acid, MycoMax, and maybe the Super Grow Root Tonic. Jim, you said they have good support - I will call them tomorrow to make sure I am using the right product for the correct application.

I put cuttings of Pineapple Sage, Lemon Zest Petunia, Snowball Vibernum, Hydrangeas and Lavender in the EZ Clone today. I put Humic Acid and Super THrive in the water. It was rather fun and so easy. The hardest part was rearranging the GH to make room for the 48x24 container. There should be roots in a few days.

Hey Dave need to start another thread don't we? Getting long here.

Yes I will try to do it later today ...its time to get horrizontal backs screamin
Dave

Lynn, the Kelp Extract, Fulvic Acid, MycoMax are water soluble. but the Gibberelic Acid and Root Tonic require mixing with a very small amount of Alcohol 1st then add to water. if your not sure how to mix, Michael will answer any questions. or I can walk you through it. you're going to love how well the rooting mixture works. and how inexpensive it is. you'll never buy another off the shelf hormone. In the growing season. I go through 1 liter every 2 weeks, I spray all my bareroot plants from catalog orders. any potting up, or transplanting, and of course the cuttings. good luck. Jim

What size do you recommend buying? I was tired last night, so the measurement in grams just kinda flew past my eyeballs and didn't enter my noggin. I am going to order today. Would I still use the Humic acid, too? Thanks Jim. We have friends in the Gig Harbor area that we go riding with (nice weather, of course). The next time we take the Harleys your way, I would love to stop and chat with you, if you don't mind.

That is a lot of stuff to mix and manage. I am anxious to hear the results of using it on some plants and not on others. I hope it proves to be wondrful!

Please keep us posted.

Ok you asked for it and here it is. Please check in so we know we have not lost anyone. Everyone know how I worry about looseing any of our friends from Here
Dave

OPPPs

LOL Here is the link

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/940669/

Hi Dave, Lorraine, and Everyone, I have been among the missing since before the Holidays because we are in the Christmas Tree business as well, and it starts on Thanksgiving and goes until Christmas Eve. We have such fun and make so many people happy, but it cuts into my plants and greenhouse work big time. I spend months making arrangements, wreaths, cemetery crosses, cones, for sale starting in Oct.
But I am back here and was trying to catch up on some of the latest posts.

It was interesting to read Dave's remarks about business taxes, etc. When I sold my bird farm and moved here to my daughter and SILs farm, I got back into house plants and tropicals. I put up a greenhouse in 2007 and it was quite an expense, but last year, my accountant told me I could deduct and depreciate if I were to open my business again. I am 80 and my business in the past was breeding and selling birds plus crafts and dried flowers. I had closed it when I moved. So, just for the heck of it, I reopened my business in Feb. 2008. I now include JBsPlants that I ship. I got certified as a nursery by my state of NJ so I could ship plants. Well, it was worth it. I will get money back this year from Uncle Sam.

So, Dave, give us all the information you can and we can use it if needed. I am always wanting to learn more. It was only by accident I found out I could make my little investment of the greenhouse work for me instead of against me. Hopefully the information here will help someone else. It is so good to be back and hearing how all of you are surviving this winter. Hugs to all of you and thanks for all the good info. JB

JB: Its great to hear from you. we moved to a new spot part V http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/940669/
I am always happy to hear about others successes. I am sure having been another form of breeding a lot of the basic ideas and standard will transfer over into plants. I know there are a lot of co-ops starting up for spring. How big is your GH? It sounds like ou are doing things like I am planning to do. I currently have about 300 daylily seeds sown. I bought a germination cart from www.harrisseeds.com If you want to have one please do not do like I did and buy the ready made package. we have just disscussed how to build them for about half the cost of the package.
If you need info tht you don't feel comfortable discussing on the thead I can be reached at pughbear7@hotmail.com. I have had several from the thread contact me outside the thread for various reasons. I have opened up this invite to anyone needing help or just want to chat about personal things.
Welcome back
Dave

Okay, well I'm getting right into the veggie business....

Went today and picked up 4 trays of plugs to sell, 288 plugs per tray, $27.05 a tray.

2 trays of cabbage
1 tray of broccoli
1 tray of cauliflower

And ordered 16 more of tomatoes and peppers. OMG. Am jumping into this feet first - wish me (us) luck!!!!

Ok PC where in the world did you find veggie flats at this time of year?

LOL - I'm in Tennessee - we've begun the rush already. But remember, these are pinkie-sized plug flats - it's another 4 wks before they're ready to be sold in a store near you!

Oh Crap I was hoping LOL. It has been fairly nice here for the last week except for the wind and rain but warm at least.

You are so right. I was poking around a local garden center. they were potting up baskets and containers for sale this spring. Its planting time in most zones now.
Dave

Well I have a ways to go before I get there. ABOUT 2 MONTHS YET . GRRRRRRRRRR.

FF: yea ole mother nature is not done with us. she has a late season blast waiting for us to pop our heads up and smack them. LOL

LOL I believe that. I want to get out and do something so bad, I am just literally tired of setting in the house and cleaning house, doing laundry and all the nasty stuff. LOL

FF you have mail