Plant PropagationPlant Propagation

ContainersContainers• PlasticPlastic is best! is best!

– Easy to clean and re-useEasy to clean and re-use– DurableDurable

• Can use Can use clayclay – heavy, breakable, & salts build upheavy, breakable, & salts build up

• Can use Can use untreateduntreated woodwood like cedar like cedar – Treated wood contains arsenic and/or copper which Treated wood contains arsenic and/or copper which

is toxic to plantsis toxic to plants

ContainersContainers• Can use Can use paperpaper

– BiodegradableBiodegradable– FlimseyFlimsey

• Can use Can use wood fiber/peatwood fiber/peat – BiodegradableBiodegradable

• Can use Can use coircoir – Biodegradable, coconut fiber, renewable resourceBiodegradable, coconut fiber, renewable resource

• Can use Can use peat pelletspeat pellets – Both “pot” and media in one! Both “pot” and media in one! – Biodegradable if you use the kind without plastic meshBiodegradable if you use the kind without plastic mesh

Plastic!Plastic!

ClayClay

Salts!Salts!

Compressed wood fiber/peatCompressed wood fiber/peat

CoirCoir

Coconut fiber “coir” Coconut fiber “coir”

Jiffy Peat pots without plastic meshJiffy Peat pots without plastic mesh

Paper potsPaper pots

MediaMedia• For seed:For seed:

– Use a “clean” germination mixUse a “clean” germination mix

– Use a mix designed for seedsUse a mix designed for seeds

• Smaller particles for good seed contactSmaller particles for good seed contact

• Need space for air and waterNeed space for air and water

• No fertilizer is necessary to start but timed-release No fertilizer is necessary to start but timed-release

fertilizer helps after germinationfertilizer helps after germination

• Wood/fiber/paper pots will need extra nitrogenWood/fiber/paper pots will need extra nitrogen

– Microbes need a combination of both carbon and nitrogenMicrobes need a combination of both carbon and nitrogen

Different commercially-available seed germination mixesDifferent commercially-available seed germination mixes

Obviously, not all germination media are the same!Obviously, not all germination media are the same!

Ones on the left had no time-release “starter” fertilizer Ones on the left had no time-release “starter” fertilizer and those on the right did!and those on the right did!

ZinniasZinnias

MediaMedia•ComponentsComponents

–OrganicOrganic: peat, bark, sphagnum moss, coir, : peat, bark, sphagnum moss, coir, compost, composted rice hullscompost, composted rice hulls–InorganicInorganic: mineral components for drainage and : mineral components for drainage and aerationaeration

•SandSand (only horticultural sand, play sand has ocean salt!) (only horticultural sand, play sand has ocean salt!)

•PerlitePerlite (for aeration, white in color like “pearly white (for aeration, white in color like “pearly white teeth”, made from volcanic rock)teeth”, made from volcanic rock)

•VermiculiteVermiculite (for aeration & moisture-holding & nutrient (for aeration & moisture-holding & nutrient exchange, tan in color-made from mica rock)exchange, tan in color-made from mica rock)

Peat bog in CanadaPeat bog in Canada

HarvesterHarvester

Peat harvesters at workPeat harvesters at work

Peat is a slowly-renewable resourcePeat is a slowly-renewable resource

Soilless Soilless pottingpotting

mixmixis ais a

combo ofcombo ofpeatpeat

perliteperlitevermiculitevermiculite

Seed CollectionSeed Collection• Most seeds should be collected on a sunny, dry Most seeds should be collected on a sunny, dry

day, in mid-day (after the dew has dried up)day, in mid-day (after the dew has dried up)

• Seeds can be collected in paper envelopes or Seeds can be collected in paper envelopes or brown paper bagsbrown paper bags

• Capsules that split open should have a bag Capsules that split open should have a bag placed over them several days before they split placed over them several days before they split so that seeds are not lostso that seeds are not lost

Seed CollectionSeed Collection• If seed is enclosed in a fruit, you must remove If seed is enclosed in a fruit, you must remove

the fruit firstthe fruit first

• Fruit can be soaked to soften and then removed Fruit can be soaked to soften and then removed by handby hand

• Seed will NOT germinate if planted in a fleshy Seed will NOT germinate if planted in a fleshy fruit!fruit!

Seed ExtractionSeed Extraction

StorageStorage• Most seeds can be stored as follows:Most seeds can be stored as follows:

– Cool (refrig. For short term, Freezer for long term, exceptions Cool (refrig. For short term, Freezer for long term, exceptions

would be water-filled seeds of tropical plants)would be water-filled seeds of tropical plants)

– Dry (air dry but not in direct sun!)Dry (air dry but not in direct sun!)

– DarkDark

– ConsistentConsistent

– Sealed wax paper or foil pouch bestSealed wax paper or foil pouch best

– Freezer storage bags wrapped in aluminumFreezer storage bags wrapped in aluminum

– Remember to LABEL!!Remember to LABEL!!

SeedsSeeds• Seeds can have different type of needs to Seeds can have different type of needs to

properly germinateproperly germinate– 1.) Ready to germinate… just give proper 1.) Ready to germinate… just give proper

conditionsconditions– 2.) Needs to have the seed coat abraded 2.) Needs to have the seed coat abraded

((scarificationscarification))– 3.) Needs to have a period of cool-moist 3.) Needs to have a period of cool-moist

((stratificationstratification))– Needs both 2 & 3Needs both 2 & 3

ScarificationScarification• This can be done by:This can be done by:

– Using a fileUsing a file

– Using sandpaperUsing sandpaper

ScarificationScarification• This can be done by:This can be done by:

– Using a rock tumbler filled with grit or lined Using a rock tumbler filled with grit or lined with sandpaperwith sandpaper

StratificationStratification• This can be done by:This can be done by:

– In a zip-lock type baggieIn a zip-lock type baggie– Placing seeds in vermiculite or sandPlacing seeds in vermiculite or sand– Add water and drain off excessAdd water and drain off excess– Place in a refrigeratorPlace in a refrigerator

• Generally 1 - 3 monthsGenerally 1 - 3 months

• Depends on where the plant is native toDepends on where the plant is native to