Growing Shrubs,Trees, and Plants from Cuttings

This past Saturday, Deberah and I attended a greenhouse workshop called "Propagating Shrubs, Trees and Plants from Stem Cuttings" hosted by Coweta County Master Gardener Extension Volunteers. The class was held at their greenhouse located off Pine Road at the Coweta County Fairgrounds.

There are many reasons why this was a great learning experience, but top reasons for me included; it was hands on, cheap $15.00 (to include all materials) and enough instructors to give individual help, regardless of your propagating knowledge. As you can see above, if all goes well the next seven or eight weeks, I'll have 15 new plants to add to my landscape from cuttings.

The class was well organized and I learned there are three basic steps in propagating cuttings; preparation, doing the work and last but not least, maintaining the plants until the roots are established to repot and/or plant where you want them to grow. I learned 4 or 5 different ways to cut the stems depending on the type, size and species of the plant to insure the best success for rooting.
Also, instruction was given on the amount and percent of hormone needed to start and speed root growth from the stem. 

Although, I hope to be proficient in the art of propagating in the near future at this stage in my experience, I don't feel comfortable trying to teach anyone else the proper methods needed to grow cuttings. However, I do recommend anyone interested attend a class (there are three per year) by contacting the Coweta County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers to pre-register. I think the next class will be held in June.

Above are just a few plants in the greenhouse they have propagated for their plant sale April 13th, 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM at the Coweta County Fairgrounds Agriculture Building, located at 275 Pine Road, Newnan, GA   30263.

 

 

 

Also, the plants seen above will be sold, as many other house plants, shrubs, trees, and other varieties to plant in containers, yards and gardens. The price will be minimal for the amount of work that has been volunteered over the last several months.

 

 

 

My 15 cuttings, include 3 each of Rose of Sharon, Tar diva Hydrangea, Forsythia or Yellow Bells, Butterfly Rose, and Pee Gee Hydrangea which I am maintaining per instruction by week. This care consists of maintaining light, moisture and temperature for 7 or 8 weeks until the stems have sprouted roots.

 

I will keep you  posted on my level of success and will blog when my cuttings are ready to repot. 

 

 

Until next time.........

 

Happy Gardening 2013!

 

 

Posted by Wilma Smith