PROPAGATION OF PLANT FOR GARDEN CENTRES AND NURERIES AND FOR THE END USER. (PART ONE)

PROPAGATION OF PLANT FOR GARDEN CENTRES AND NURERIES AND FOR THE END USER. PART ONE

INTRODUCTION

I was a propagator ,  or in the trade known as a production manager. my function was to be able to manage plants Have them at the correct stage of development at the right time this may need the remove  flowering buds or growth which causing the  to develop vegetive growth so as cutting can be taken.

manage staff and space, in the greenhouses Glasshouses bench space, and propagation bench space and heating of propagation benches heating and ventilation of the glass houses and use of Co_2. How to manage auto climate communised system

How to and when to collect seed .How and get maximum germination in the first year and how to make seed beds

Grafting and budding and type of rootstock to produce the correct hybrid example of the is fruit tree

I also needed to know any new development such as tissue culture this is a lab type of propagation, and it is very complex in nature, and I may need to do another blog to do it justice

The parts are:-

1. The Collection, Preparation and insertion of cuttings
2.   Systems of Production from Cuttings
3.   Production House environment
4.    Other Methods of Propagation
5.    Tisue Culture

THE IMPORTANTANCE OF MOTHERPLANT

The mother plant must be true, to name. Need to be labelled with age  and name of plant and name of the person who named so it of known history the age. Is not to important as long as it vigorous but rooting deceases as the mother plant age increases generally more than 5 years old this is due  how plant is prune to produce the cutting

CUTTING

1. Softwood cutting
2. Semi ripe cutting
3. Leaf bud cutting (mallet)
4. Hardwood cutting
5. Root cutting
6. Heeled cutting

1. Softwood cutting.

Taken early in the season. (Lignification) at the base before hardening as occurred these cutting wilts dry out very quickly hence need to store in a closed plastic bag and kept cool place or inserted immediately ether under mist or plastic and a warm bed.

2. Semi ripe cutting.

These are taken in the later in the season as they have lignified at the base generally in June either in cold frame plastic in cold frame low tunnels or plastic.

3.leaf bud (mallet).

This type is where the main stem is cut above and low the bud is cut and taken late season

4. hardwood cutting.

These cutting are taken in the autumn and are made of season wood they are nodal cutting then bundled into 10 or 20 batches then inserted into open soil with only 2 to3 buds above the ground

5. Root cutting.

These are nodal cutting and these have no wrong way to do them and are taken mid season.6. Heeled cutting.

At this stage it is important to  know what the terms mean

1. Basal 

this is as the name suggested is basal is taken just above the axillary bud of the main stem.

2.  Node

This where the cut is made below a node.

COLLECTION AND PREPARING THE CUTTING

The cuttings should be protected from sun, and wind by putting them into poly bag or sacks and sealed. If to be transported any distances, and may be stored over night if kept in cool place.

The final operation is determined by the type of cutting basal, heeled or node this is determined by good material all similar physiological age and making of similar uniform size. This will make production line go smoothly and will finish with plants that similar.

DIPPING AND WOUNDING CUTTINGS

Wounding has been found to be stimulate rooting in many species. Either light to heavy wounding ranging from double wounding both side single  one side is opening to xylem or just removal of bark the wound is generally 25mm long cutting down wards.

Wounding of a Rhododendron cutting

Wounding can increase. Proliferation of new cells (callus) and improves, absorption of water, and remove physical barriers.

The cutting should be put into a fungicide.

IBA (indole butyric acid) 0.8% powder. The cuttings should be dipped this will increase rooting decrease time it takes, and NAA (naphthaleneacetic acid) is effective species even mixture of both could become effective.

Use of IBA 0.8% Choisy

Use of IBA  0.8% Viburnum carlcephalum 

TIMING INRELATION TO THE ROOTINGF OF CUTTINGS

Some species of trees and shrub can be rooted over an extended period between spring and autumn whereas other e.g. Prunus otto luyken can be rooted in a cold fame in September or mist in March depending in the pregame catch crops can be used to utilise the bench space. It is best to root cuttings quickly and early but with others e.g.  Pyracantha it is better to take them late as the early, May cutting never catch up nor do they flower in next Spring another example in Prunus incisa with the one taken September.

the genus prunus can illustrate another aspect of timing deciduous species falls into groups.

a, prunus incisa – roots readily root from softwood cuttings in mist taken when large enough to manage.

1. Japanese cherries -lower percentage rooting in when done at a similar time but root better as late semie hard cuttings.

INSERTION OF CUTTINGS                                                                       

The method adopted depends on the scale, hygiene and convenience the rooting media should be fresh for each batch and is composed of 40/60 parts of sphagnum peat and Bedford sand horticulture grit maximum size 2mm it is best to use trays inserted into the media of the mist unit directly they will be a build-up toxins this means the replacement of the media regularly the cuttings need to  removed and may be damaged whereas trayed  cuttings can be just knocked out  causing less damage to the roots the trays can be washed and reused  quickly trays are better as it minimise the time it takes to move and replace the tray and also move it to the weaner and to the potting bench or machine.

Actual insertion this is done by hand and a dibber pointed piece if doweling then not over firmed to keep cutting in place as loose compost leads to good aeration increasing rooting.

REMOVAL AND WEANING AND POTTING OF CUTTINGS

All cutting should be of the same species variety/cultivar and size and same stage of development.

The cutting produces roots then callus the cutting then produces new growth this is when it should be moved to the weaner once more growth appears and roots appear the holes of tray potting should commence.

Any questions, please email me. This email is Dudley’s Hub email, so please use the subject so my son (DanielDudleyUK) will know have me to replay to you dudleyshub@outlook.com