Propagation Ideas & Help

Dirt Cheap: Low-Cost Grow-Light Frame Plans & Horizontal hydroponic unit
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/467210/

Photos: PVC gro-light stand
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/169142/

Photos: Heat Box for Propagating seeds
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/182057/

T's Flowers--Make your own lighted floral plant stand.
http://www.carlnet.org/~ttsdaly/plantstand.html

Classic Threads: Propagation: Overview of techniques
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/367693/

General Discussion: Favorite gardening tip
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/385522/

I use empty cardboard egg cartons to dry out seeds and seed heads, wrapped first in cut up paper towels. I store them to dry out on top of the fridge, where the temp is 70 to 75 degrees.

This is also a good place to germinate some seeds too. Why waste the heat it's like a free incubator up there.

Empty cardboard egg cartons are also good as seed germinators; I put them in a plastic/styrofoam clean meat tray; and water from the bottom. If the cardboard is dry, then they need watering.

I write the plants'/seeds names on an address label in a fine indelible marker and stick it onto the pot. I'm forever loosing the 'name' tags; or maybe there's a fairie stealing name tags gang out there.

I found this site to be quite helpful to me:
Golden Harvest Organics - Site Map
http://www.ghorganics.com/Site_Map.html

Organic Insect Treatments
Companion Planting

~* Robin

bump

~* Robin

Thanks Robin! Would like to do something this winter... :)

Thank you! I like the grow light idea! I am using my side of the garage for propagation on some plants so this helps out tons.

I found the little 1" round circles used to seal double postcards or folded flyers work great for labelling seed trays. They stick to the six packs even when you water from below. Be sure to use permanent marking pens as the regular ink will run in water.

Toothpicks are very handy to manipulate seedlings into the little holes you have made for them in the trays. Two work better than one. Be sure that the little side roots near where the stem meets the root are below the media surface. It is OK to bury the stem some on the leggy seedlings. Seedlings seem to do better if they are upright instead of laying down. I am not sure why. You can use the toothpicks to manipulate them into an upright position.

After transplanting the very tiny seedlings keep the dome lids on for at least a week to keep the seedlings from drying out. I was getting good germination but losing them right after transplanting. You just cannot keep the tops wet enough for the extremely tiny roots. Toothpicks are very useful for moving these seeds in clumps which seems to work better.