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PART TWO PROPAGATION OF PLANT FOR GARDEN CENTRES AND NURERIES AND FOR THE END USER.
PART TWO PROPAGATION OF PLANT FOR GARDEN CENTRES AND NURERIES AND FOR THE END USER.
SYSTEMS OF PRODUCTION FROM CUTTING
MIST SYSTEM
the first mister was made USA around 3rd and 4th decade of 1900 and was a foggier due to no means of controlling the mist nozzles the system this was not very good as the top of the cutting was warm and the base was cooler and fungal attacks was common
in the 60 s the mister became better due to advances underground heating cables rod thermostats solenoids valves and artificial leaf made of two electrodes in cased in plastic and advance in controlling units
Mist unit
Mist unit as you see from the diagram above consist of coarse grit ballast to drain the excess water from the system with holes in the bottom the heating cable6-30 volt laid over
Ballast in straight lines 7.5cm apart to give 15 watts per30cm2 and then covered with Bedford sand then material mesh is placed on top this is to protect the cables and even the heat throughout the unit about 5cm above that the rod thermostat is installed and set at 21-24oC rest of the Bedford sand then 3 parts Bedford 1 part peat is mixed and put in unless trays are going to be used
The mist nozzles are deflector type it can be from the underside of the bench or suspended from above the bench the usual spacing for bench 1m wide 1.0 m spacing to 1.05m
These are controlled by an electronic leaf which is made of plastic with two electrodes inserted. These control the solenoids which in turn control water flow to the mist nozzles the source of water needs to be lime free so as so no lime is not deposited on the cutting this unit is known as a water witch (good for hard water areas) will stop liming of the solenoids` and nozzles electrodes leaf reduce maintenance
In the control box there is switch that control some nozzles that can made into weaners will only one spray to two sprays per mist or1/4 or1/6 up to 1/32
propagation house with mist
Advantage of mist
- It is a automatic system
- Self-adjusting according to weather conditions
- Self-adjusting humidity in the glasshouse
Still may need shading
Disadvantage of mist
- Very on dependent on electronics
- Maintenance to water supply if there no water witch
- If in hard water area the leaves lime up
WARM BENCH AND PLASTIC SYSTEM
The bench in constructed same as the mis unit the difference is that it as 80-100 gauge clear plastic sheet layered on top of the cuttings and after insertion the cutting are watered in the plastic then fog up and water droplets on the underside of plastic this is why the cutting does not wilt can not be used in direct sun as it heats up quickly even in the winter sun so shading is necessary all the year round and heavy shading woven material during the summer the plastic sheet as 4 plastic laths on the four sides to seal it
Heated bench with plastic
Mist unit with plastic and jets turned off
The cutting takes slightly longer to root than under mist but are better than under mist as leech as occurred
With plastic there can be dry spots these need to found and watered while been inspected and the plastic neds to be turn over or replaced or turned over at the last at the last inspection then new plastic must be used the plastic can be dried and reused if it is good condition and as not lost the ability to fog or form droplets
IT IS IMPORTANT TO US A FUNGICIDE MORE SO THAN UNDER MIST DUE TO CONDITIONS THE CUTTING IS PUT INTO AND FOR TIME THEY ARE TO BE LEFT THERE FORE
COLD FRAMES WIT AND WTHOUT PLASTIC
Cold frames have been used for propagation 3 crops September-October, April and June-July commonest time is September and October to be left for a full year before transplanting these can be grown on if give good conditions and irrigation.
Most genera do not want plastic if rooted over the winter period but x Cupressocyparis and Pttosporum plastic gives improved rooting results the placing and insertion cuttings should be conducted the same as before.
The plastic should be laid as in heated bench and sealed.
Shading is necessary A.Y.R.(all year round) heavy woven shading in the summer
Cold frame without and with plastic
LOW TUNNEL
This is an inexpensive and simple system for mass production for wide range of species which are easy to root and of low value. The tunnel is made of 500 gauge White 50% light transmission supported by wire hoops and sealed at the sides and end.
The root zone on heavy loam as a mixture of peat and sand mixed with the loam to aid rooting and help when lifting mister may be added but this is luxury
It does have one drawback when the sun is out it get hot but due to high humidity the cutting survives but leave may get burnt but this soon dissipate as the cutting grow
Low tunnel
Weaning of the cutting is simple the polythene is slashed with sharp knife then follow periodically to increase the air flow hardening the cutting until removal of the polythene cutting is allowed to grow on until Autumn
Forsythia cutting inserted in low tunnel in June lifted four month later
Hypericum cutting inserted in low tunnel in June lifted four month later
Philadelphus cutting inserted in low tunnel in June lifted four months later
Senecio cutting inserted in low tunnel in June lifted four
months later