PLANTPROPAGATION

James City County/WilliamsburgMaster Gardeners

MG Training Class

February 6, 2012

PLANT PROPAGATION

Why do we propagate plants?

1. To increase the number of plants

2. To perpetuate species or individual plant

What are the two ways we propagate plants?

1. By seed - Sexual 2. Vegetatively - Asexual

Pollen + Egg (Floral)

New combination of genes

Uses part of plant

Identical to original plantNo exchange of genetic material

Cheaper, quickerNew varieties, hybrid vigor

Easier, fasterPerpetuate cultivars

ASEXUAL OR VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION

CUTTINGSStemLeafRoot

LAYERINGSoilAir

DIVISION & SEPARATIONStolens & RunnersOffsetsBulbs & CormsCrown Divisions

GRAFTING & BUDDING

TISSUE CULTURE

STEM CUTTINGS

Tip Medial Cane

Single Eye Double Eye Heel

LEAF CUTTINGS

ROOT CUTTINGS

Whole Leafw/ Petiole w/o Petiole

SplitVein

Leaf Section

Plants with Small Roots

Plants with Large Roots

LAYERING

Tip Simple Compound

Mound

AIR LAYERING

DIVISION AND SEPARATION

CROWN DIVISION

STOLENS & RUNNERS 0FFSETS BULBS CORMS

TISSUE CULTURE Asceptically growing plant tissue such as cells, meristems,

shoot tips, embryos, root or stem and leaf sections

GRAFTING AND BUDDINGJoining of plant parts so they will grow as one plant

SEXUAL OR SEED PROPAGATION

A plant in a box with its lunch

Union of the pollen (male) with the egg (female) to produce a seed

A seed is made up of three parts:

Embryo young plant before emerging from seed

Endosperm seed’s food reserve

Seed coat protects the seed

A mature seed, put in a favorable environment, will germinate, or begin active growth

SEED ANATOMY

1.  2 cotyledons2.  microphyle (hole)3.  hilium   (scar)4.  seed coat6.  plumule 7.  radicle  

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORSTHAT AFFECT GERMINATION

MOISTURE

HEAT

OXYGEN

LIGHT

SEED STARTING REQUIREMENTS

Soil

Temperature

Moisture

Light

Air

Use clean seed starting mix w/o fertilizerDo NOT use garden soil

Germination temperature refers to soil temperature as well as air temperature

Seeds need constant moisture and soil that is not overly wet

Some seeds need light to germinateAll seeds need light upon germination

Respiration rate increases during seed germination and as seedling grows

GROWING SEEDS INDOORS

MATERIALS:CONTAINERS: pots, flats or containers. Clean &

disinfect used pots. 1 part bleach to 10 parts water.

SOIL: Bagged soilless seed starting mix (Potting soil)

PLANT LABELS: Plastic

INDELIBLE MARKER: Waterproof

STIFF CLEAR PLASTIC OR PLASTIC BAGS: Greenhouse-like atmosphere for germination

WATER: Use tepid water only to maintain soil temperature for seeding and until seedlings develop true leaves

LIGHT: Florescent or high density plant light

TIMER: 16 - 18 hours of light

Heating Mat with Thermostat

Seed Starting Materials

Seed Starting Materials 1. seeder with rotating wheel

2. labels

3. dibbler

4. fine-point black waterproof

marker

5. mini-transplanter

6. moisture meter

7. plant snips

8. seeder (tap or shake)

9. seeder (suction)

10. timer

11. plant light meter

12. indoor/outdoor min/max

thermometer

13. magnifying glass with light

14. soil scoop

15. spray bottle

16 small plastic flats

17. small bulldog clips

STARTING YOUR SEEDS

Prepare A Seed Starting Worksheet Name of seed (species, cultivar) Source of seed (Seed Company) Catalog number Seeds per packet and/or number of seeds sown Weeks to last frost date or planting out date Days for germination Cover seed? Date seeded Date transplanted Notes: Actual germination days, % Germination, Seed requirements,

Crop failure, etc.

TIME YOUR PLANTINGS RELATIVE TO LAST FROST DATE OR PLANTING OUT DATE USING INFORMATION ON CHARTS AND SEED PACKS

SEED STARTING WORKSHEET 2012

SEED NAMESPECIES, CULTIVAR

SOURCE SEED CO

CAT#

SEED /PKT

WKS TO SET OUT

DA TOGERM

COVERSEED

DATESEEDED

DATETRNSPLD

NOTES:

Coleus, Wizard Mixed Park

Seed Co.

C4482 50 10 5-10 NO

Seed Packet Information

Common, botanical and cultivar name Maturity date in days. Number of seeds in the package. Date packaged. Days to germinate. Minimum germination percentage. Cultural information including the following:

Germination temperature. Planting depth. Light required for germination. Seed pretreatment:

SoakingScarificationStatification

STARTING YOUR SEEDS

Planting Your SeedsPreparing planting mediumFilling containersSowing seeds following each seeds

requirementsCovering seedsWatering seedsProviding humid environmentProviding proper soil temperatureProviding proper light

Preparing Planting Medium

Dampen potting soil

Loosen potting soil

Filling Containers With Soil

Use pre-dampened potting mix

Don't pack the potting mix into the container

Fill to about 1/4” from the lip of the container

Gently firm and level with a spoon or a small board.

Sowing Seeds in Containers

Recheck seed requirements: pretreatment, light, sowing depth

Sprinkle small seeds lightly on top of the potting mix.

Larger seeds can be counted out and planted individually.

Plant a few extras but do not overseed.

Covering Your Seeds

Recheck seed covering requirements

Many seeds need light for germination

Some seeds need a light cover.

Some seeds need 2 to 3 times their diameter cover

Cover the seeds with the dampened potting mix and then gently firm again.

Watering Newly Planted Seeds

Spray a little additional tepid water over the newly planted seed

Moistens top layer of mix

Ensures good contact between the seed the mix

Spray bottle gives best control

Providing Humid Environment

Create a Greenhouse Effect

Contain both heat and moisture

Plastic bags w/tie or ziploc bags

Seed trays with clear plastic covers

SOIL TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENTS

Warm, draft free spot

Soil temperature between 70 and 80 degrees F

Heating mats & Thermostats

Tops of water heaters & refrigerators

LIGHT REQUIREMENTS

Seeds and seedlings require 16-18 hours/day of light

Two 48” 40watt fluorescent tubes placed 1” from soil of plants provide the necessary 1000 footcandles.

Indirect window light yield ¼ as much.

Automatic timer

Plant lights should be 1” above the seeds or plants. Plants touching fluorescent lights will not be harmed.

MONITOR SEEDS DAILY

HUMIDITY moisture

on bag or glass

LIGHT CONDITIONS 16-18 hours,1” above soil or seedlings

HEAT CONDITIONS soil temperature - 70o, 75o, 80o room temperature - ambient

FOR GERMINATION

remove cover or bag as soon as you see germination

EMERGING SEEDLINGS

Radical, hypocotyl, cotyledons

Remove seed container from greenhouse environment

Monitor:

LIGHT – 16-18 hours, 1” above seedlings

MOISTURE – use tepid water to bottom water if needed

TEMPERATURE -air 55o – soil >70o for good root development

FERTILIZATION - none needed at this point

GROWING TO TRANSPLANT SIZE

True leaves, photosynthesis

Fertilizing

Thinning

Monitor: LIGHT – 16-18 hours, 1” above seedlings WATERING AND FERTILIZING – bottom water with tepid dilute fertilizer

solution TEMPERATURE – warm soil, cool air AIR CIRCULATION – disease, strength

TRANSPLANTING SEEDLINGS

True leaves

Seedlings are transplanted with soil up to their cotyledons

Bottom water to settle seedlings in

CARING FOR TRANSPLANTS

LIGHT – 16-18 hours, fluorescent lights 2” or less above seedlings

WATERING AND FERTILIZING – only bottom water with a dilute fertilizer solution

TEMPERATURE – no need for heating mats and maintain air temperatures of 55o for sturdy compact plants

AIR CIRCULATION – use of a fan to control fungus

HARDENING OFF TRANSPLANTSAcclimating seedlings from indoor to outdoor conditions

Takes 2-3 weeks

Sunlight 3 hours all dayLath stripsPartial shade

Temperature Above 45 degreesCoverBring indoors

Wind

PREGERMINATIONGerminating seeds before sowing

WHY START PLANTS FROM SEED ?

Starting plants from seed is less expensive

Unavailability of the plants you want locally:

Quantities

Varieties

Grow plant that are higher quality for planting

Having plants suitable for you planting schedule

Satisfaction of growing your own plants from seed

Plant sales

GOOD SEED STARTING AND HERB GROWING WEBSITES HOW TO SUCCEED AT SEED STARTING http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/plantsci/landscap/h1139.pdf STARTING PLANTS FROM SEEDS http://extension.missouri.edu/xplor/agguides/hort/g06570.htm VIRGINIA TECH PROPAGATING FROM SEED http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/envirohort/426-001/426-001.pdf STARTING SEEDS AT HOME http://ecgardening.cce.cornell.edu/PDFs/Starting%20Seeds%20at%20Home.pdf WEEKEND GARDENER INDIIVIDUAL PLANT SEED TIPS http://www.chestnut-sw.com/seedhp.htm SEED GERMINATION DATABASE http://www.backyardgardener.com/tm.html http://tomclothier.hort.net/ FIRST YEAR BLOOMING PERENNIALS http://www.dianeseeds.com/flowers/first-year-perennials.html http://www.inthegardenonline.com/basics_firstyearperennialsB20.htm http://www.robsplants.com/plants/fastperennials.php GROWING HERBS AT HOME http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-8110.html

REFERENCE: THE NEW SEED-STARTERS HANDBOOK, NANCY BUBEL,1988, RODALE ASEXUAL PLANT PROPAGATION WEBSITES: VIRGINIA TECH http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426-002/426-002.html UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/mg/propagation/ REFERENCES: PLANT PROPAGATION A-Z, GEOFF BRYANT, FIREFLY, 2003 THE AHC PLANT PROPAGATION, ALAN TOOGOOD, DK, 1999

SEEDS AND SEED SUPPLIES

Park Seed Company, 1 Parkton Ave, | Greenwood, SC 29647 800-213-0076 http://www.parkseed.com Harris Seeds, 355 Paul Rd. P.O. Box 24966, Rochester, NY 14624-0966 (800)514-4441 http://gardeners.harrisseeds.com Home Harvest Seeds (Ferry Morse), 4870 Dawn Avenue, East Lansing, Michigan 48823 517.332.3688 http://homeharvestseeds.com/ferrymorsemain.htm W. Atlee Burpee & Co., 300 Park Avenue, Warminster, PA 18974, (800) 888-1447 http://www.burpee.com Johnny's Selected Seeds, 955 Benton Avenue, Winslow, Maine 04901 (877)564-6697 http://www.johnnyseeds.com Stokes Seeds, P.O.Box 548, Buffalo, NY 1420-0548 Ph (800)396-9238 http://www.stokeseeds.com

SEEDS ONLY Select Seed, 180 Stickney Hill Rd, Union, CT 06076 (800)684-0395 http://www.selectseeds.com/ Heirloom Seeds, 287 E. Finley Drive, West Finley, PA 15377 http://www.heirloomseeds.com/ Diane's Flower Seeds, 1380 N. Hwy 89, Ogden, UT 84404. http://www.dianeseeds.com Pinetree Garden Seeds, P.O.Box300, New Gloucester, ME 04260 (888) 527-3337 http://www.superseeds.com Heirloom Acres Seeds, 2529 CR #338, New Bloomfield, MO 65063 Ph (573)491-3001 http://www.heirloomacresseeds.com Territorial Seed Company, PO Box 158, Cottage Grove, OR • 97424-0061 800-626-0866 http://www.territorialseed.com/ Thompson & Morgan Seedsmen, Inc., 220 Faraday Avenue, Jackson, NJ 08527-5073 (800) 274-7333 http://www.tmseeds.com

Jerry Babski

burgflem@yahoo.com

Deb Secrist

gardenhoe1@me.com