Propogate Your Evergreens Successfully

In former days many home gardeners found itThe good seeds must be thoroughly washed
difficult to increase the supply of their favoriteagain with water before they are stored. A
evergreens by the usual methods of reproduction,better way to separate the pulp from the seed is
viz., seeds, layers, and cuttings. The complexity ofto soak the fruits in ethyl alcohol for a few
starting new plants has been materially lessenedminutes.
since the introduction of polyethylene plastic. InFor propagating purposes, containers can either be
the field of plant propagation its use has been aentirely filled with sphagnum, or this moss may be
real boon. No longer is a greenhouse a necessaryused as a finishing layer over a bottom layer of
possession for raising these plants from seedssoil, in which case allow space for at least 1 inch
and cuttings. Polyethylene is a substance whichof sphagnum compressed to an even surface.
has the ability to retain moisture and to permit anThe seeds are then placed in the containers. The
exchange of gases.finished layer of moss should come to within 1/2
There are two fundamental methods ofto 1 inch of the top of the container.
propagation: the sexual method, whereby plantsThe advantage of a layer of soil under the moss
are increased by means of seed; and the asexualis that the transplanting can be deferred for a
(vegetative) method. The sexual method is notlonger time; the young plants will strike root in the
always reliable, because seedlings cannot beearth and thus be supplied with sufficient nutrients
depended on to run true to type, and in mostto maintain growth. Whether a flat or a pot is
instances is a slow tedious procedure. The principalused, to assure proper drainage be sure not to
reason to recommend it is because you neveroverlook placing broken pieces of pots concave
know when a new strain of plant may result. Theside down, over the holes in the bottom of the
most reliable way to perpetuate a plant true tocontainer.
type is by vegetative reproduction. With thisCuttings
method, plants are propagated by cuttings, layers,Vegetative propagation has been greatly
division, grafting, and budding.facilitated by the use of polyethylene plastic. A
Seedingpropogating unit may easily be constructed using
Generally speaking, the seeds of cone-bearingthis plastic. Because of it, excellent results have
evergreens are collected at the time the conebeen obtained in reproducing evergreens by
scales open; at that time the coat will turn brownmeans of cuttings, air-layers, grafting, and budding.
and the seeds themselves will become firm. TheThe plastic is not required in simple layering.
seeds must be well cleaned before they areAmong the evergreens that are successfully
placed in storage; those with wings should havegrown from slips are Arbor-vitae, evergreen
the wings removed. To obtain seeds from fleshyAzaleas, evergreen Barberry, Box, Cotoneaster,
fruits (such as the berries of Holly) mash theEuonymus, Pyracantha, Gardenia, Mahonia,
fruits and soak them in water for three or fourOsmanthus, Pieris, evergreen Privet, Holly,
days.Rhododendron, creeping Junipers, and Yews.
During this soaking period stir them vigorouslyGround covers such as English Ivy, Pachysandra,
several times; this will hasten the separation ofSarcococca hookeriana humilis, Skimmia japonica,
the pulp from the seeds. Care must be taken notPachistima canbyi, and Vinca minor can all be
to allow them to "sour." The viable seeds willrooted easily by cuttings.
settle in the bottom of the container, and thoseEvergreens can be easily grown from seed or
that are nonviable, together with the pulp, willcuttings.
collect on the surface and should be discarded.