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'A Plant Propagator's Bible'       Send a link to a friend

[July 11, 2007]  "The Plant Propagator's Bible: A Step-By-Step Guide to Propagating Every Plant in Your Garden." Miranda Smith, Rodale, 2007, 192 pages.

Review by
Richard Sumrall

In her new book, "The Plant Propagator's Bible," horticulturist and author Miranda Smith writes, "Plant propagation is one of the most enjoyable -- and certainly one of the most exciting -- parts of gardening. … As far as the natural world is concerned, one purpose of a plant is make more plants." Smith's book is divided into the six topics that explain the propagating process: the tool kit, starting from seed, dividing established plants, cuttings, layering and grafting.

Propagator's tool kit

The usual tool kit for a propagator consists of different hand tools (knives, spades, pruners, etc.); equipment and supplies (tapes, labels, pots, sprayers, etc.); soil mixes (sand, compost, leaf mold, topsoil); and propagation equipment (lights, cold frames, greenhouses). One thing that is sometimes overlooked is safety supplies. Since you're going to be using sharp implements and mixing chemicals, it's essential that you have on hand the right safety gear and items for medical emergencies. Safety supplies include protective masks, gloves, goggles and a well-stocked first-aid kit.

Starting from seed

As Smith points out, "Seeds are true wonders." In this section she describes the different characteristics of seed and how those characteristics influence its germination into a plant. Regardless of whether you are propagating indoors or outside, there are many ways to germinate seeds. The most popular methods are leaching (running water over them to encourage germination); soaking (to break down certain compounds in the shell); scarification (opening the seed coat to allow water to penetrate); and stratification (introduce chilling cold to encourage germination). Whichever method you choose, remember that seeds require measured amounts of light, darkness, humidity, temperature and carbon dioxide.

One enjoyable activity for the propagator is saving and storing seeds. According to Smith, seed saving "allows you to breed plants especially adapted to your garden's environment."

Dividing established plants and cuttings

Once your seeds have successfully germinated into healthy plants, you can experiment with two creative forms of propagation: dividing and cutting.

Dividing a plant is exactly what the term implies -- using your garden implement to dig up all or part of a plant into portions for replanting. Different plants require different kinds of division techniques. Plants with fibrous roots can be divided only during certain times of the growing season, while plants with rhizomes should be divided with at least two healthy buds that have leaves growing from them.

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Cutting involves taking a section from either the stem or root of the existing plant. The cutting technique that you choose will depend on the plant from which you extract the material. The keys to successful cuttings are to take them from young, growing plants; to cut from the current year's growth; to cut in the morning (when the stem is full of water); and to take cuttings from plants free of disease and insects.

Layering

An easy way to propagate plants is through a process called layering. In layering, the plant's stem is stimulated and encouraged to develop a root. This process works best with plants that have this natural ability as a characteristic. To layer a plant, simply "wound the stem to stimulate rooting, and ... bury or surround the stem with soil or a moist rooting medium." Layering techniques including tipping (a stem makes contact with the ground and takes root); simple (stimulating the wounded stem to root in the soil); French (burying many of the plant's nodes along a branch); and dropping (burying virtually the entire plant underground). Remember that success in layering depends on using plants that are actually growing; layering in good, loose soil; stripping the leaves from the stem; and slightly wounding the stem that contacts the soil.

Grafting

The most advanced form of propagation is known as grafting. Grafting is defined as "attaching one part of a plant to another plant so they will form a union and grow as one plant." Grafting lets you create cultivars that can pollinate each other and create mixed cultivar trees that produce many different fruits. The most popular forms of grafting are rootstock; whip and tongue (combining two cut portions); wedge and saddle (insert a sample within a second sample); and approach (connect two cut stems with grafting tape). The secrets to a successful graft are the compatibility of the plants, choosing the right grafting technique and working quickly after you've made the cuts into the plant.

"The Plant Propagator's Bible" is an ideal source for anyone interested in starting his or her own plants and trees. The book is beautifully illustrated and contains step-by-step instructions that are clearly illustrated. In addition to all of the aforementioned methods and techniques, it also explains "the natural processes and conditions that stimulate plants to grow and reproduce and shows gardeners how to multiply plants successfully."

This book is recommended to gardeners, farmers and anyone who enjoys working with plants, flowers, bushes or trees.

[Text from file received from Richard Sumrall, Lincoln Public Library District]

    

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