| Sowing Containers -Cell flats (plugs): smaller cells have to stay hydrated, more vulnerable, 150-270 plants. Better for automatic watering sys, takes more contestant attention -4' pot: good for larger seeds (cucurbic family; beans corn pumpkin) Can put 2 seeds in each corner, uses more volume soil=more nutrients so won't dry out as fast, less watering 6 pack: small volume of soil, water once a day 25-30% shade dappled/filtered light Types of PropagationDivision:
use with: bulbs, asparagus, artichokes *Put in water if possible to relieve plant stress Cuttings/slips/cloning/tissue culture:
*root during the main growing season | Tips! *Plant should be same size as pot *Cuttings do not require strictly sterile environment * Get it used to what conditions it will encounter *You want small roots emerging from containers *Soak larger seeds overnight plant next day (smaller seeds become harder to handle when wet) gives you even germination, good for bean/legume plants, -->after soaking dip in rhizobium (bacterium) powder ~ 70% more production when inoculated *Get seeds from a respected seed source! *Look for safe seed pledge (Territorial seeds, High moving seeds, Turtle tree, check syllabus for more! *Which end is up? Do not plant cuttings upside down! *Use a cutting code: cut top flat, cut bottom at angle |
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Happy First Day! Today we learned about COMPOSTING Paul's Quotes: “Miracle gro is like crack for plants! In fact they don’t even have a choice, because it is water soluble, they will grow out of control. What we want is food to be delivered to the plant at the right proportion that the plant is used to. So this is where the microorganisms come in to play, we feed them and they feed the ecosystem of the soil.” “We are all smarter than a bug, you don’t have to go buy pesticide.” “Each humus particle is actually a spiky particle that attracts nutrients and microorganisms, you can look at them as tiny energy batteries throughout soil.” Miscellaneous Compost Tips: *Put compost container with lid in freezer so it doesn’t smell up your kitchen! Methods: Static Composting Pros: If you have a lot of material (bulky) but not enough equipment/labor to turn it Cons: Takes the longest, 6mo-1yr Mulching Pros: Sequesters carbon, cools soil, and creates habitat for biodiversity. It is a simple method, lay materials on soil as they naturally decompose, they slowely move into soil as humus. Humus: the end result of composting, its particles are microscopic, and are important because they resist decay, sequester carbon, and move slowly through the soil profile releasing nutrients and making it dark Pit Composting Pros: Good for small space or urban environments, detracts vermin (mice, rats, possums, cockroaches that your pile may attract) Sheet Composting “Lasagna Gardening” Pros: Good for extremely hard soil, loosens and opens up soil Tips→ Begin with pre-moistened soil, make sure it is soaked, after a rain if possible |
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