How to Propagate Potted Plants in Autumn
The article provides knowledge on how to propagate potted plants in autumn and the methods of plant propagation concerning green ornamental plants, with the details as follows:
When propagating various plants through cutting, it is essential to choose the right timing. Do not propagate during excessively hot summer and autumn seasons, especially when the temperature has not dropped below 28 degrees Celsius, as the success rate of propagation will be significantly reduced.
Excessive high temperatures can inhibit plant growth, and the cut surface of the plant is prone to fungal diseases. Even if the cuttings sprout, they can easily rot and wither after forming roots.
Most plants should be propagated in mild seasons. The best time is in spring and autumn, with the optimal propagation temperature being between 20-25 degrees Celsius. Too high or too low temperatures will affect the survival rate of propagation.
If you have a slightly shaded area in your home or garden with good ventilation and sunlight, such as under a tree or on a semi-shaded balcony, it is suitable for propagating plants.
One, the Benefits of Propagation
Whether it is woody or herbaceous flowers, it is worth trying to propagate through cuttings, especially for plants that are prone to diseases and pests. It is necessary to prepare backups by propagating more seedlings. This includes common plants such as Daisy, Fuchsia, Hydrangea, Catharanthus, Begonia, Geranium, Rose, and旱金莲 (Dahlia). These plants are susceptible to various issues and prone to infections and pests.
Propagation of Basil
The benefits of propagating plants include preparing backups in advance and continuously replicating new small potted plants. New potted plants grown from cuttings can retain all the characteristics of the original variety.
Two, Techniques for Propagation
1. Choosing Soil
When propagating various plants, it is first necessary to prepare suitable soil. The most crucial aspect is that it should be clean, breathable, loose with some water retention capacity, and not too fertile.
These points are quite understandable. Some gardening enthusiasts may fail frequently because they use old or fertile soil, or soil that has not been sterilized or disinfected, which is not loose enough, has poor water retention, or has too much fertilizer added, leading to propagation failure.
If you are a beginner in gardening and want to try propagating plants, the most suitable substrates include: vermiculite, perlite, peat soil, or fine-grained granite stone (3-5 mm). You can use vermiculite or perlite alone for propagation, or mix peat soil with perlite in a 2:1 ratio; or mix peat soil, vermiculite, and perlite in a 2:1:1 ratio.
How to Propagate Potted Plants in Autumn
Propagation Using Pure Perlite
If using ordinary garden soil for propagation, it is recommended to place it in the hot sun (make sure to spread it out) for a couple of days before use. After that, sieve out the larger particles and it can be used for propagation. Avoid using yellow soil or soil that is too sticky.
Propagation of Cattleya
2. Pruning Tool Treatment
Always disinfect the pruning tools before trimming the plant branches, which is crucial.
Not only should the tools be sharp (to ensure a smooth cut), but also avoid leaving any residual bacteria on the tools. After pruning each plant, disinfect the tools again by soaking them in potassium permanganate solution, carbendazim solution, or simply spray with 75% medical alcohol.
3. Choosing Cuttings
The cuttings to be propagated are the branches that need to be cut. It is generally recommended to choose healthy, full, and robust branches.