February 2, 2002
PLANT PROPAGATION
Sherwood's Forest Nursery & Garden Center

Propagation is the act or action of propagating as to increase in numbers. Almost all flowering and conebearing plants can be propagated by seeds, by cuttings, division, grafting or layering as well as from bulbs, corms, rhizomes, offsets and runners. Seeds are the common method for reproducing most vegetables, annuals, biennials, and many trees and shrubs. Many fruit trees, ornamentals and many house plants are grown from cuttings or grafts. Behold a sower sent forth to sow, Matthew 13:3.

What is a seed? Essentially, a seed consists of an embryo with nourishing and protecting tissue. The embryo is a minute plant. A good tree bringeth forth good fruit, but an evil tree bringeth forth corrupt fruit.

A garden is full of magic. The magic begins with a seed adventure - seeds are everywhere. They're inside fruits, vegetables, flowers, trees and even weeds.

A lot of what you eat comes from seeds. The peanuts in peanut butter are seeds. The Cocoa beans that give us Chocolate are seeds. Corn on the cob is a bunch of seeds or kernels on the cob. Sunflower - seeds.

Have you ever wondered what a seed is and where it comes from or what makes it grow? We're going to explore the magic of seeds with lots of fun projects and experiments. Seeds are amazing little packages of life. Hidden inside a seed is a tiny plant just waiting to grow. It has two very small leaves, a stem and the beginning of the first root. The seed also has enough food around the little plant to feed it until the plant is big enough to make its own food. Seeds are alive!

Seeds are very different just as the plants that they become. Seeds vary in size from as small as a Ladybug's footprint, to one special seed, a Coconut!

Where do seeds come from? Plants make flowers, and flowers produce seeds so new little plants can grow. This cycle, going around and around has developed through time. We can thank the wind, water, sun, insects and birds for their part in this system.

We now know what those magic seeds need to sprout. Water, soil, light, air. Here is a good experiment and a little magic with Lima Bean seeds.

Fold a paper towel small enough to fit into the sandwich bag. Soak the paper towel in water and lightly squeeze it out. Put the seed on top of the paper towel and place in sandwich bag.

Once you have the moist towel and seed on top, tape it on, or place it near a sunny window. Keep the towel moist. Now have you given the seed all it needs to sprout? And will it continue to grow?

You need to watch and observe for about a week or so and see what happens. Once it has spouted you can plant it and watch it grow.

Sometimes seeds grow better if they are started indoors. If it is too cold outside, seeds won't sprout or may be harmed by frost or freezing temperatures. By starting seeds indoors, you give them a head start.

Always check seed packets to see time needed for life into the garden. The seed packet will tell you when to start your seeds indoors. Be careful not to start seeds too early. They'll have a tendency to get too tall/leggy.

Growing plants from seeds can be rewarding hobby for home gardeners.

We now know that seeds and sprouts have roots. This hidden but crucial part and foundation of the plant. See our displays of the Sweet Potato, Spider Plant, Swedish Ivy or the Hardy Spring Bulbs, with their roots. The support system of the plant. Though hidden, usually below the ground or in a pot and too often ignored by gardeners, roots are so vital to the plant's survival and growth. They absorb water and nutrients and help transport them throughout the plant; they store food for future use. The root is also the anchor or base of the plant that keeps the plant in the soil or a tree upright from falling over.

The root is distinguished from the stem by its structure, by the way in which it is form, and by the lack of such appendages as buds and leaves. The first root of the plant, known as the radical, elongates during germination of the seed and forms the primary root.

As they seek water and nutrients, roots grow through the soil away from the center of the plant. This growth takes place in the apical meristem, a region at the root tip where cells are actively dividing, growing and elongating. Just behind the tender root tip, which is protected by the root cap, is a zone of cells that produce many tiny projecting root hairs. These are in direct contact with the soil and increase the surface area available for absorption of water and nutrients.

Roots that branch out from the primary root are called secondary roots. In many plants the primary root is known as a taproot because it is much larger than secondary roots and penetrates deeper into the soil. Roots of many plants are edible and contain considerable quantities of food materials particularly starch. Root crops and important in agriculture include the Sweet Potato, beet, turnip, carrot, parsnip, radish. Beyond these edible taproots, some plants/trees having taproots cannot be transplanted easily, for breaking the taproot may result in the loss of the root system then the cause of the death of the plant.

Occasionally roots may be formed from leaves, as in the African Violet, which may be propagated by rooting the cut end of a leaf base in water. Also the Sanevia, Mother-In-Law Tongue plant and the Stone Sedum.

Light - seedlings must receive bright light promptly after germination. Place them in a bright, south window if possible. If a large, bright window is not available, place the flats under fluorescent lights. A fixture containing two 40-watt fluorescent tubes is adequate. Place the seedlings about 6 inches from the tubes, and keep lights on for 14 to 16 hours each day. As seedlings grow, the lights may need to be raised, to prevent leaf burn as seedlings touch the tubes.

Plants need some red and infrared radiation. Since this is not supplied by common fluorescent tubes, additional light from incandescent lamps or windows is necessary. If this cannot be given, use a fluorescent tube specially designed for plant growing. This is available under a variety of trade names.

Temperature - Most annual plants and vegetables prefer night temperatures between 60 and 65 degrees. Day temperatures may run about 10 degrees higher. If temperatures are warmer than this, leggy plants result. Cool season vegetable crops and a few flowers prefer night temperatures no higher than 55 degrees and day temperatures near 65. An unused bedroom, basement, or sun porch is often a good location.

Moisture - Good humidity is an asset for producing good plants. A humidifier may be used, or shallow pans of gravel filled with water may be placed as close to the growing area as possible. Flats should be kept moist at all times but never soggy. Allow drying between waterings, but don't allow seedlings to wilt at anytime.

Fertilization - Seedlings will need some fertilization for best development. Those in totally artificial mixes need prompt and regular fertilization. Use a soluble house plant fertilizer as sold in garden centers, nurseries, or on plant supply counters. Young, tender seedlings are easily damaged by too much fertilizer. Apply fertilizer at about half-recommended strength a few days after seedlings have germinated. After that, fertilize at two-week intervals with the dilution recommended by the manufacturer. Water and fertilize carefully.

Vegetables easily transplanted include broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, lettuce, and tomato. Those with a little slower root development include cauliflower, celery, eggplant, onion and pepper. They may be successfully transplanted, however, Plants that do not transplant well, and therefore are seeded in individual pots include cucumber, muskmelon, squash, and watermelon.

Most flowers normally grown indoors transplant well, but a few that are difficult to transplant include poppy, larkspur, lupine, sweet pea, and cornflower. These are generally seeded outdoors, but to start them indoors place them directly into individual pots.

Containers for starting seeds can vary from deluxe kits of complete mini greenhouses to as simple as an egg carton. I would like to suggest starting with an egg carton-cardboard or plastic. Save and use the bottom section that held the eggs in place. Use a pencil or pen to poke a hole in each cup of the egg carton. Poke from the inside out. This is for drainage. Now fill each cup with potting soil mix. I would not use soil from the garden. Next find a tray or pan that will sit below, as a saucer. Moisten the soil or put water in the tray. The water should be absorbed into the soil. Pour excess water away. With the moist soil, place two or three seeds in each section/cup. Push seeds down to about ¼ inch deep into the soil. Place in a sunny window.

After seeds have germinated, they must be promptly given the best possible growing conditions to insure stocky vigorous plants for outdoor planting. Cultural requirements must be considered carefully.