1. Plant Propagation

2. Containers Plastic is best!Plastic is best! –Easy to clean and re-use –Durable Can use clayCan use clay –heavy, breakable, & salts build up Can use untreated wood like cedarCan use untreated wood like cedar –Treated wood contains arsenic and/or copper which is toxic to plants

3. Containers Can use paperCan use paper –Biodegradable –Flimsey Can use wood fiber/peatCan use wood fiber/peat –Biodegradable Can use coirCan use coir –Biodegradable, coconut fiber, renewable resource Can use peat pelletsCan use peat pellets –Both pot and media in one! –Biodegradable if you use the kind without plastic mesh

4. Plastic!

5. Clay

6. Salts!

7. Compressed wood fiber/peat

8. Coir

9. Coconut fiber coir

10. Jiffy Peat pots without plastic mesh

11. Paper pots

12. Media For seed:For seed: –Use a clean germination mix –Use a mix designed for seeds Smaller particles for good seed contactSmaller particles for good seed contact Need space for air and waterNeed space for air and water No fertilizer is necessary to start but timed-release fertilizer helps after germinationNo fertilizer is necessary to start but timed-release fertilizer helps after germination Wood/fiber/paper pots will need extra nitrogenWood/fiber/paper pots will need extra nitrogen –Microbes need a combination of both carbon and nitrogen

13. Different commercially-available seed germination mixes Obviously, not all germination media are the same! Ones on the left had no time-release starter fertilizer and those on the right did! Zinnias

14. Media ComponentsComponents –Organic: peat, bark, sphagnum moss, coir, compost, composted rice hulls –Inorganic: mineral components for drainage and aeration Sand (only horticultural sand, play sand has ocean salt!)Sand (only horticultural sand, play sand has ocean salt!) Perlite (for aeration, white in color like pearly white teeth, made from volcanic rock)Perlite (for aeration, white in color like pearly white teeth, made from volcanic rock) Vermiculite (for aeration & moisture-holding & nutrient exchange, tan in color-made from mica rock)Vermiculite (for aeration & moisture-holding & nutrient exchange, tan in color-made from mica rock)

15. Peat bog in Canada Harvester

16. Peat harvesters at work Peat is a slowly-renewable resource

17. Soillesspottingmix is a combo of combo ofpeatperlitevermiculite

18. Seed Collection Most seeds should be collected on a sunny, dry day, in mid-day (after the dew has dried up)Most seeds should be collected on a sunny, dry day, in mid-day (after the dew has dried up) Seeds can be collected in paper envelopes or brown paper bagsSeeds can be collected in paper envelopes or brown paper bags Capsules that split open should have a bag placed over them several days before they split so that seeds are not lostCapsules that split open should have a bag placed over them several days before they split so that seeds are not lost

22. Seed Collection If seed is enclosed in a fruit, you must remove the fruit firstIf seed is enclosed in a fruit, you must remove the fruit first Fruit can be soaked to soften and then removed by handFruit can be soaked to soften and then removed by hand Seed will NOT germinate if planted in a fleshy fruit!Seed will NOT germinate if planted in a fleshy fruit!

25. Seed Extraction

29. Storage Most seeds can be stored as follows:Most seeds can be stored as follows: –Cool (refrig. For short term, Freezer for long term, exceptions would be water-filled seeds of tropical plants) –Dry (air dry but not in direct sun!) –Dark –Consistent –Sealed wax paper or foil pouch best –Freezer storage bags wrapped in aluminum –Remember to LABEL!!

31. Seeds Seeds can have different type of needs to properly germinateSeeds can have different type of needs to properly germinate –1.) Ready to germinate… just give proper conditions –2.) Needs to have the seed coat abraded (scarification) –3.) Needs to have a period of cool-moist (stratification) –Needs both 2 & 3

32. Scarification This can be done by:This can be done by: –Using a file –Using sandpaper

33. Scarification This can be done by:This can be done by: –Using a rock tumbler filled with grit or lined with sandpaper

35. Stratification This can be done by:This can be done by: –In a zip-lock type baggie –Placing seeds in vermiculite or sand –Add water and drain off excess –Place in a refrigerator Generally 1 - 3 monthsGenerally 1 - 3 months Depends on where the plant is native toDepends on where the plant is native to