by Kent Higgins
Air-layering and Hormone Treatments
To increase a plants woody stem, air-layering is necessary. The main house plants that are propagated in this manner are azalea, cissus, codiaeum, fatsia, philodendron and rhoicissus.
The action is performed by slitting through the stem on one side to form a sort of groove or tongue, where you want to incite roots to be produced. The tongue is dusted with a hormone powder and dampened moss is packed into the slit and the layer is then covered with moss. In order to prevent tissue damage or drying, the moss is covered with a polythene sheet and this is best done during the summertime when active growth is occurring.
Once roots have been sufficiently formed, the shoot is then cut off and set in a suitably sized pot.
How to do ring propagation
The method is called this because it involves removing a ring from the stems of plants, where new root growth is desired.
When the lower leaves of plants get to be too tall and leggy, ringing is performed.
The ideal time for ringing is early in the spring when active growth begins. About an inch wide section or ring of bark is removed, just below the lower leaves. The ring stem is bound with moss and covered with plastic film, which keeps it most until the newer roots form. Then the rooted upper portion can be cut and set up in a separate pot.
How to Grow Ferns from Spores
Many fern plants that are used as house plants can be increased by using spores. Boston fern plant spores form in clusters and usually on the backsides of matured fern fronds. The clusters are brown colored and if they are ready for sowing, the fronds should be gathered together and put into a paper bag and hung in a warm room for a couple days. By this time, the spores will have dropped to the bottom of the bag and formed a brownish colored powder.
Place a flower pot filled with a soil and covered with a layer of sifted peat moss. The spores might then be sprinkled in a thin layer on the surface and cover the pot with a pane of glass and put in a saucer of water. The pot need to be placed in a warm room and in about four to six weeks, the top of the compost will be covered with a fine layer of moss like growth. The growth contains small structures bearing male and female organs, after they have been fertilized, new ferns begin to appear. The young ferns can be taken out, much in the same way other seedlings are, into a light and fertile soil. After they have been picked out and put in a pan or pot, they have to be put into a pan or saucer of water and covered with a pane of glass once again. Eventually the plants will be large enough to put into separate pots. The final step is to put these plant into a glass-covered box, here they remain until they have achieved their maximum growth potential. Then the glass can be removed and the plants can be acclimated to the environment of the room.
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February 23 2009 | Gardening | No Comments »
by Thomas Fryd
It’s easy to grow orchids in your home. It can be a beautiful hobby, and orchids have been a symbol of love and commitment for centuries. Traditionally used in wedding bouquets and corsages, they can add an exotic touch to any room. Orchids are an especially beautiful flower, and they are relatively easy to grow. However, they do require some special care, and you should learn how to grow orchids properly before investing in one, because it does take patience.
Making a place for your new orchids
When you are first learning how to grow an orchid, buy a book on them. This will help you provide all of the requirements orchids need to thrive. Your new orchid would enjoy a home on a windowsill, with southern exposure if possible. You’ll also need a humidity tray on which to place your potted orchids, because they are used to a very humid climate. You should also have a misting bottle to provide them even more moisture.
Determining Light Levels
Once you have your windowsill ready for an orchid, purchase two or three plants. Any more will crowd your windowsill and may be hard to handle. Check your orchid book to determine the necessary light levels for the types of orchids you have chosen. If yours enjoy lots of sunlight, place them several inches from the glass in your window. If your type of orchid enjoys shade, it can be grown in the shadow of your other orchid. Be careful, because direct sunlight can burn the leaves of your orchids, especially during the summer months.
Regulating conditions
To protect your orchids from light and heat, you may want to consider placing a sheer curtain over the window. Orchids also thrive with good air circulation, so consider directing a fan just above the leaves of your orchid plants. If you see pests on your plant, spot treat the leaves with isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol), which is ah handy household chemical.
Watering your orchids
You need to be especially careful when watering your plants, especially if you are just beginning to grow orchids. They will be better off a little too dry rather than too wet. When watering your orchid, make sure that the water runs through the pot, to get rid of any mineral deposits that have settled into the soil. The amount of water your orchid needs depends on the size of the pot, the type of soil, the specific type of orchid, and its light and heat conditions. If it is in its active growing season, it will need more water. Over-watering an orchid, however, can be quite damaging.
Growing your own orchids is a beautiful and easy hobby. Care for many orchids such as the Phalaenopsis or Moth orchid may not seem easy especially when you see them in wedding bouquets and corsages, but in fact they can be successfully grown as houseplants with the right care and attention.
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February 11 2009 | Gardening | No Comments »