How to Root Greenhouse Plants
Greenhouses run the gamut from small enclosed shelves for a few prized tropical orchids to glass buildings that house thousands of plants including fruits and vegetables. Greenhouses extend the growing season from early spring to late fall. Heated greenhouses keep plants growing all year. Cultivate additional plants for your greenhouse by rooting cuttings. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Rooting hormone powder
- Small dish
- Peat pots, 2-inch
- New potting soil
- Water
- Pencil
- Knife
- Tray
- Pebbles
Instructions
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1
Put a small amount, about a teaspoon, of rooting hormone powder in a small dish. If you dip the cuttings directly into the powder while it's still in its original container you run the risk of contaminating all of the powder.
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2
Fill the peat pots to the top with the potting soil. Use new potting soil which won't contain any harmful fungus or bacteria from previous uses. A fungus in old used soil causes dampening-off.
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3
Water the soil so it's damp but not soggy. You may have to let the soil dry out a day or two if you've gotten it too wet.
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4
Poke a hole in the soil with the pencil.
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Dip the end of the cutting into the rooting hormone so the bottom and about a 1/2 inch of the stem end is covered with powder. Gently tap the cutting against the edge of the container to shake off any excess.
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Put the cutting into the hole made by the pencil. Push the soil down around the stem of the cutting so the soil makes contact with the cut end.
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Fill a tray with pebbles. Put water in the tray until it almost covers the pebbles but doesn't. Greenhouses are humid environments. You need to keep the humidity levels high when growing cuttings from greenhouse plants.
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Place the pots on the tray. Place the tray where it receives the appropriate amount of light for the cuttings. For example, geranium cuttings will need lots of sun but African violets only need bright light but not direct sunlight. Adjust the grow lights in the greenhouse to the appropriate levels.
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Check to see if the greenhouse plants have rooted by gently, very gently, tugging on the stem. If it resists, the plant has rooted. If you feel no resistance, give the plant another week or so.
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Tips & Warnings
Root more cuttings than you think you'll need, not all of them will take root.
Over watering is more of a problem than under watering.
Don't let the water touch the bottoms of the peat pots. You just want it high enough to add extra humidity to the air around the pots.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
