2104 -Seed Propagation in Containers Flashcards
Types of Containers
Pots Seed Trays Plug Trays Modules Root Rrainers
Modular Tray
- Minimise root disturbance (plants that resent it)
- No need to prick out, less labour
- Take up more space, fewer plants
- Not often re-usable
Seed Tray
- Less space, more plant
- re-usable
- quick & easy to prepare
- suitable for plant that do not mind root disturbance
- plants that are not susceptible to damping off
Examples of Seed prop in - Tree, Shrub, Conifer, Perennial, Hedging, Bedding
Tree: Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior Shrub: Mahonia aquifolium, Fatsia japonica Conifer: Pinus nigra Herbaceous Perennial: Geum 'Mrs Bradshaw', Echinacea purpurea Bedding: Lobelia erinus, Tagetes patula, Tagetes erecta, Cosmos bipinnatus
Seed sowing checklist
- Low fertility, sterile compost eg. J.I seed compost
- Container appropriate for seed number and density
- Fill and strike (striking-off board)
- Gently firm (firming board) for seed contact
- Sow (dibber if necessary)
- Cover
- Water (fine rose, or from underneath)
- Label with China Pencil
- Correct environment, cold frame, prop frame, glass cover
Growing Medium must be….
- Friable (fro too penetration)
- Moisture Retentive (hold/provide adequate water)
- Well drained/aerated (Sufficient Oxygen supply)
- Low fertility (scorch roots and prevent P&D)
- Sterile (free of P&D)
Large Seeds
Sown in individual modules, 7cm pots or plugs
Cucurbita pepo
Medium Seeds
Sown on seed tray, sprinkled finely and covered with compost.
Lactuca sativa
Fine Seeds
Mixed with dry silver sand to enable even distribution.
Sown on surface of seed tray and left uncovered.
Begonia semperflorens
Sowing aftercare
- Keep at optimum temperature for species
- keep moist with clean water
- keep covered, protected environment
- Remove cover when seedlings emerge, increased ventilation and reduction of fungal disease
- Monitor for P&D regularly, take appropriate action
Breaking Physical Dormany
- Scarification
deliberate controlled damage to the seed coat, allowing water to enter. Nicking seeds with a sharp knife. - Soaking in very hot water
- Soak in Sulphuric acid, but risk to Embryo
Breaking Physiological Dormancy
- Stratification
Deliberate and controlled exposure to period of cold, or warm then cold.
Can mimic seeds natural environment, period of winter.
Put seeds in the fridge.
Pricking Out
- Seeds that have grown in a seed tray
- Moves seeds from seed tray to individual modules or pots. (potting)
- Requires Care
- Best done in morning, cooler, retains moisture
- Grade seedlings, reject weak or diseased
- dibber and plant up to seed leaves
- water well and place in suitable environment, away from direct sunlight and temperature extremes
Seedling Aftercare
- Can benefit from bottom heat (16-21c) species specific
- Shade from direct sunlight
- Good ventilation to avoid Damping Off
- Monitor soil moisture
- Check for P&D regularly, remove dead diseased plants
- Harden off gradually, protecting from temperature extremes
Seedling Diseases
- Damping Off
- Botrytis
Damping Off
Damping Off:
- Soil Borne fungus
- Causes collapse and decay
Cause:
- High Humidity
- Poor air circulation
- Seedlings sown too thick
Control:
- Sterile/Semi-sterile compost
- Sterile potting equipment (seed/trays w/ Jeyes Fluid)
- Sow thinly to avoid overcrowding
- Clean Water, not rain water
- Keep well ventilated, reduce humidity
Botrytis
Botrytis:
- Grey Mould Disease
- Wounded or stressed plants, but can infect healthy
Cause:
- Common under glass
- High humidity
- Overcrowded
Control:
- Hygiene
- Remove infected material
- reduce humidity and increase ventilation
Seedling Pests
Slugs/Snails: Rasping, Seedling eaten at ground level
- avoid mess, hiding places
- nematodes
Mice: Seedlings eaten
- Traps
- Cover seedlings with mesh
Outdoor Propagation - plant types
- Hardy Annuals
- Hardy Perennials
- Many Vegetables
Outdoor Propagation - Methods
- Broadcast: Lolium perenne (grass)
- Drills: Daucus carota
- Station: Pastinaca sativa
- Trench: Pisum sativum
- Individual: Phaseolous coccineus (runner beans)
Soil Cultivation- Primary, Secondary, Tilth
Primary:
- remove large stones or rock
- remove treat pernicious weeds
Stellaria media (annual) Elymus repans (perennial)
- stale seed bed
(allow seeds to grow, hoeing and repeat before sowing intended crop)
- Single / Double digging
- Incorporate well rotted organic matter
Secondary:
- Breaking down soil clods
- raking level
- consolidated (removing air pockets)
Tilth Production:
- Add fertiliser if necessary
- Rake to sufficiently fine tilth for crop/seed
Broadcasting (grass/meadows)
- mostly lawn seeds and annual meadows
- plot divided into metre squares
- seed scatered according to manufacturer’s direction
- seed can be combined with fine sand for more even application
- one direction, followed by another at right angle to ensure full coverage
Lolium perenne (rye grass)
V Drills (carrot)
- medium and large vegetable seeds
- easily distinguish between weeds and crop
- taught line or board to achieve straight line
- use a hoe to required depth
- sow seed at required spacing
- draw soil back into Drill, gently watered
Daucus carota
Flat bottomed Drills / Trench (pea)
Similar to V Drill
Pisum sativum
Station Sowing (Parsnip 2/3)
Sow two or three seeds every few centimetre along a drill. More economical, less thinning out.
- Pastinaca sativa
Station Sowing (Runner Bean individual)
Sow seeds individually along a trench.
Usually at the base of a support for runner bean.
- Phaseolous cooccineus
Outdoor seedling aftercare
- Label: genus, species, date (sturdy, china pencil)
- monitor moisture levels
- thin out if necessary, remove weak seedlings
- control weeds
- Monitor for Pests and Disease
