Propagation part V based on my own experience

okay - well I have 2 coleus that I can experiement with. I know about the ease of swedish ivy. Is latana really that easy? I have five of them dormant in the basement - in the spring I will try latana just for fun. I was successful with hydrangea last summer - I have three of these in the basement.

I have also had success growing zinnia, salvia, and marigolds from seeds.

What do others think?

I have rooted approx 30 petunia cuttings this past month.
Other easy cuttings for me:
Hydrangea
Pineapple Sage
Salvia
Gardenia
African Violet

I am trying Wintersowing first time this year.

Oh, Lynn, You are going to LOVE wintersowing. don't be discouraged if everything doesn't germinate - and some stuff might not germinate until May - and then you will have soooooooooo many plants you won't know what to do!

I wish I had known you could take cuttings from a Gardenia - so far I have killed 2.
You take cuttings from petunias? Like - do you keep them over the winter and start new ones?

I, too, have always killed my Gardenias. So last summer, I bought a small one at a nursery (didn't want to kill a more expensive one), I keep it in my GH (heated to about 40 in winter), it has tripled in size, blooms, and I now have about 6 cuttings doing well. I took them approx Nov, dipped in rootone, and put them in a seed starting mix.
I overwintered a yellow petunia in the GH this year. I took a bunch of cuttings from it approx 3-4 weeks ago, put them in my new (used) EZ Cloner, They surprised me by rooting very quickly. I took them out and potted them in Miracle Grow mix last week. I trimmed the mama again last week, put them in the cloner, and they have beautiful roots. I will prob pot them up next week. I trimmed a purple petunia this past week, they are in the cloner, and are now starting to root. I am hooked. I love petunias. I can't wait to get a wave petunia and try my luck with it. I planted a pack of petunia seeds last spring (first seeds I ever successfully planted), planted them out in the yard, and oh my gosh, they did way better than any petunia I ever bought in a six pack at the big box stores. BTW, the yellow mama doesn't look tired and straggly anymore, and is getting new growth. I am hoping the purple mama will do as good. Purple mama is one that I grew from seeds last spring.

Hi: I would not be afraid to try to root everything. Another easy one is mexican heather Cuphea. and blue daze (I don't remember the $20.00 name). Begonia, forsythia also is pretty easy. I look at propagation as whats the worst that will happen? it will die and I will be out a bit of time ant rooting hormone. I swear by dip-n-grow for a rooting hormone. You can find it on ebay or some of the other online suplies.
I am glad to see new people on this thread. Its nice to see the excitement you get from getting things to start. Please keep us posted on the success es you have. You may find you need stronger chemicals to root some of the more difficult plants. So getting into the more basic root hormones might be warented. Junipers come to mind as being a bit tricky. I used to thing azaleas would be tough but I noticed yesterday the 10 cells of cuttings have rooted. Its only been about 6 weeks so i think its a great addative to the cuttings to take
I was potting up some daylily seeds (150 or so) yesterday and noticed they were already sprouting. Jim I love the booster chemicals. I had been just soaking in water and hydrogen peroxide. I started using 1/3 hydro and 2/3 of a mix of fulvic acid. kelp, terantula and pirahna. I plan to switch to the seedling booster and fulvic acid. The terantula & pirahna seems to have the same ingredients as the rooting booster and the other stuff you recomended. I think it cheaper and unfortunately I had ordered the name brand stuff before we discussed the basic mixes. I have been watering with the mix as well and the leaves are looking so dark green its such a wonderful suprise.
Oh yea if anyone has forsythia in the landscape you may want to take a few longer limbs and put them in a vase to flower. Its a neat trick I learned a long time ago. Once the flowes fade you can cut up the stems and root them out. Its one of those plants that root in water.
I will look up some names for everyone so you don't have to ferrit out the info on basic homone powders for tougher plants.
Dave

Oh yea here is the amarillis I forced this year. Just wanted to share

Dave do you soak your daylily seed in the water and H2O2 ?



What is the name of your amaryills?

This message was edited Feb 1, 2009 12:07 AM

Does anyone have this problem? I LOVE starting plants - I think this is the coolest thing - but then I don't have room for all the plants that I start! The neighbours have let me branch out to the public terrace on our street - but I have those gardens pretty full now.

For instance, in the basement I have 12 trumpet lilies started from seed, 14 Easter lilies, 8 pygmy babyberry, about 15 baby spirea and so far I have probably planted about 60 rose seeds (well, I thought I would try . . . ^_^)

What do you do with all the plants you start - and don't say you toss them on the compost pile . . . .

Seandor did you come from the thread under that name? What are the 10 easiest plants to start from cuttings and/or seeds? Or something like that.

Not that I mind reading imput from new people but in case you didn't see it there is a whole thread on that subject. It is always interesting anyway.

Jeanette

Seander, nothing says in the directions that you have to germinate every seed. most of packets have way too many in them. I guess the seed companies think that they want to give us our monies worth. except for vegatable seeds, I say don't start more than you plan on growing. also most annual seeds, you can keep in the freezer and use them next year. good luck, Jim

OR, you can use them to trade with someone for something else you would like to have.

Jim is right. I normally start only a half a dozen of a lot of the seeds. If those don't take I can always try some more. Or, you can even trade the seedlings you know. A lot of people don't have good luck, or the equipment, space, or whatever to start seeds.

Jeanette

You can keep seeds in the freezer? I knew you could keep them in the fridge . . . .

I will try to limit myself to a dozen or less seeds in the future for most seeds.

I do need 28 orange profusion zinnias for the terrace (a public park in the middle of our street). And probably about 8 "Golden Autumn" Amaranthus, and 8 intense purple amaranthus and 32 cherry profusion zinnias for these huge landscape pots used to block our street. The trick is: if I want 8 do I sow 16? etc.

Don't feel lonely Seandor, I am now planting in 3 different yards because I don't have space and can't quit. LOL, luckily the other yard owners are happy with the situation. they always have something blooming and I always have seeds and cutting stock!. It is an obsession I do believe....

The easiest things for me to start are:
epicactus
lantana
azalea
pothos
snail vine
hydrangea
forsythia
gardenia
confederate rose hibiscus
brugmansia
hibiscus

the easiest from seeds:
plumeria
brugmansia
passiflora ( some varieties)
cannas
strelitzia
iris
daylilies
hibiscus

basically, I just love to propagate everything I can...

You lost me. Why would you do that? Plant 16 when you only want 8? If you don't think they would all come up maybe plant a couple extra. If you don't think any will come up then maybe you better either plant something else or buy plants.

Jeanette

imbartoo . . . we must be kindred spirits!

I grew brugs from seeds last year - and then had to try to find homes for them. Currently I have 9 down in the basement semi-dormant (honestly - what do I need 9 for?)

I also have 8 lantana - again - these are in pots - but I hardly need eight on a small city lot with limited sunshine!

jnette - we cross posted. Well, I just assumed that nature makes sooo many seeds because a large percent are either not viable or that some of the seedlings will not be as strong as others.

Maybe I am wrong . . .

We were both typing at the same time ibartoo. I have the same problem but not enough room to plant the seedlings so end up giving them away. Problem is the seeds cost so much. I always want to try new stuff so I end up with a lot of seeds left over each year.

Jeanette

Jeanette - a cost-effective way to get LOTS of seeds is to participate in one of the large seed swaps. For the last two years I have done this and I have LOTS of seeds (and I mean lots and lots!). The first time I didn't have much to trade, so I "seed-snatched" red salvia and sea holly seeds from the college where I work. I also collected echinacea seeds from my own plants. I was able to parlay these into a huge collection of seeds. That's why I can grow extra plants. But this summer, we will be travelling soooo much I can only grow a few plants - preferably those that are easy to start and tough enough to endure some serious neglect while we are gone.

Part of the reason I do this is because I love to plant and grow. The yards that I plant in are My parent's, my brother's and my nextdoor neighbor. In the case of my parents and neighbor, they can no longer take care of their yards and have gardens and it makes them happy, and I really just plant my brother's yard to try new things. LOL I just can't get enough.

They are all so different. I like to say they are like pokemon, gotta have them all. LOL One of these days I will get serious and start another nursery, but right now I enjoy being home with my family. By the time I get ready to start another nursery though, I should have some great stock.

You actually had a nursery??? Wow! well, I would like to have a nursery - but not have to make any money on it - you know, a kind of big time hobby.

I think making a nursery pay for itself might be challenging. But imagine! Having a greenhouse and lots of land to grow rows of plants just for cutting!

There are some seeds that are harder to start than others, but I don't have that much problem with most. The ones I have problem with are the ones that take a long time to germinate because I don't have the patience to mess with them. I give them a week maybe beyond what the package says they take and if they haven't started by then I will replant. I think the seeds are better than you give them credit for.

But, I plant with the expectations that they are going to grow.

Jeanette

Guess we did it again. LOL, Jeanette

Yes Seandor, I did have a little nursery before my son was born. It was tiny, but I loved it. I set up next to an ace hardware store and had lots of traffic. I have missed it many times.

Jnette, I agree with you. When things don't germinate for a long time, I get impatient.

DH found some seeds in the storage shed today and brought them in. There was a whole bag of different things. Some of them were 10 yrs old ( i have no clue how they got out there). I can only wonder if they will germinate. I may just have to experiment and see what happens. I have nothing to lose but some time right?

Most of what I do is "experimental" these days. LOL

did anyone build the cloner? I keep thinking I will go back to it...........

Hi






Hi:
I have been growing so much at the moment I am building up a good selection along with redoing our landscape. its got good bones just no detail or color beyond the spring flush of the azaleas. I am hopeing they have a good flower color. I have 10 or so of them rooted in the grenhouse. I really don't have a master plan just a loose idea of what I want to acomplish. I hope to have enough to be able to try and sell enough to cover the out bound expenses while building stock. Right now I have about a dozen jugs going in the winter sowing. I put most of the seeds I am not sure will germinate or I suspect would die because I miss a watering or two. I hope I get the same germination I did last year on the jap maples, mostly thread leaf reds.
Have you thought of a flea market or farmers market? Just a thought.
Dave

Here we have a farmers market for 3 hours on saturday mornings. Recently though they are building 2 shops/restaurants on the site of the farmers market so I have no clue if we will have one this year. There is a man here who goes to florida and fills a trailer with palms and exotic ( for us anyway) plants and then sets up beside the road. He is always busy. Sometimes he sells christmas trees too.He always has beautiful plants.
In June I am planning to root pieces of my azaleas and camellias. This year I have to get them marked. I can recognize most of the varieties when they bloom, but the rest of the year they are just azaleas. LOL. The camellias are easier, I know where they were planted.
I think I try to redesign my front yard just about every year. I need to make more room for different things, so I will be taking some plants out this year and replacing them. I will try just to " fill in" with some fresh perennials and a few annuals sown in place.
Today though I am starting more seeds. There is just something about filling every empty spot right? I cleaned the coldframe out so now I can put some of the seedlings outside and just keep the tropicals inside where it is warm.

Does anybody know how to root banana shrub, aka port wine magnolia? any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Linda

Linda: Have you tried air layering? It may be one of the over winter hardwood cuttings. Any chance of getting seeds from it? I'll do some looking to see if I can find some info on it. do you know the botanical name on it? is it in the magnolia genus?
Dave

Dave, the botanical name for it is Michelia figo. I may be able to get some cuttings, but I don't know about seed. I will research it too and then we can compare notes.
Thanks, Linda

Linda: From what I see it also known as Magnolia fuscata. It is in the magnolia family and looks a lot like the flower of many of the magnolia's. Acording to what I am seeing the best time to take cuttings is in june but there is a wide range of strength recomended it goes from 50 ppm to 1,000 ppm of iba. I will do more research on it but so far it apears to be a softwood cutting in late june would be best. As you are aware june can be different for each hardiness zone so I will look into my sources location to see if an adjustment might help as far as warmer states vs colder states.
It looks pretty good all in all.
Dave

Dave, I googled it, I like it a lot!!! I don't think it would work in my zone 8 though, all the pictures said tropical. good luck with propagating it. Jim

Hey Jim, we are headed to Heidis one the 16th, lots of new Hell babies. We'll I see you there???

Hey Jim, if you are talking about the banana shrub, it is hardy in my zone 8. I remember my grandfather had one when I was a kid and I loved the way it smelled.

ibartoo, if it's hardy in zone 8 I'll have to check out my catalogs. thanks Jim

I found a close relative at www.seedrack.com its 15 seeds for Michelia champaca
JOY Perfume Tree at 3.84 per pkg. I found a plant for $19.95 for a 1 gallon plant at

http://www.tytyga.com/product/Banana+Shrub

http://www.floridata.com/ref/M/mich_fig.cfm

lists it as propagation in warm weather... LOL.... I would say soft wood in may for you linda. Here in zone 6b we would have to drag it inside every year so even though it looks good and would work back in florida I will just admire everyones from here... "sniff sniff" great sweet smelll AWWWWW...
I hope this helps everyone. the close cousin is the scent used in joy soap so it would be a nice alternative or addition to the collection.
I hope this helps
Dave

I just noticed on my search engine they list a DG info sheet with several vendors.

http://davesgarden.com/products/ps/go/1187/

Thanks Dave, I actually have a michelia champaca and they look totally different. The banana shrub has small dark green glossy leaves similar to a camellia and the joy perfume tree has much larger and lighter colored leaves.
I will let you know if I find any.
Thanks, Linda

Ps, If I find some cuttings, i will share. Everyone needs one.

Hi:
I am going to go over safty for chemical handeling (hmmm spelling??). I know its probably a basic thing but I would feel horrid i some one ended up with an issue from chemicals. I will keep it basic and give some suggestions for those of us like me who is monitarial challenged. My wife is an accountant and she watches every penny, but she does not question my spending as long as I keep it within my weekly draw(yea lets call it a draw).
Any one have a question please feel free to ask.
Anyone starting plants from seed yet? I have perrienial salvia, gazania, peony flowered poppies and of course daylilies.
Dave

Hi Dave,
Getting ready to haven't started as yet. Have a bunch of seeds from swaps.
Datura, dbl purple
Allium
Lobelia Tupa
Lupine, Tutie fruitti
Nicotiana
Among a few, theres more

I started some hosta and some glads and have also got some lithrops sowed so far.

This most likley looks dumb, But I am trying to make a mini GH.
Any input or help????
Have no room in the GH plus its to cold out there.

I have started bunches of seeds. In fact i am about to have to comandeer the kitchen table. LOL. I have started brugmansia, plumeria, hosta, hibiscus, cannas and a few others. I have a table with a 4' flourescent light that holds 4 flats ( or 2 big trays of ziplock baggies) and one of those little portable greenhouses ( like the ones from dollar general) with a clamp light attached to it. both of those are full and I found more seeds to start today.....
The brugs are almost big enough to pot up, so maybe I can make some room soon.

I had thought I would save my christmas money to buy plants with, but that didn't work out so maybe I need to get my taxes done soon............ I could buy lots of plants with a nice refund.....LOL

Linda