Layering the Garden
A polythene sleeve, made by slitting a suitably sized bag along the bottom, is then slipped over to enclose the wound and firmly bound at the base with electricians’ tape. Pack moist sphagnum around the wound then seal the top of the bag. By moist I mean that a handful of the moss when squeezed just oozes water. To make certain the weakened stem does not break I tie the whole contraption firmly to a cane.
Not all are so obliging and must be helped in a small way. This process is known as layering and the main requirements are patience and a soil in good physical condition. A few weeks prior to layering work in a liberal quantity of peat and sharp sand around the selected plant.
Eventually the keen gardener will want to try a few buds or grafts, and these arc no more difficult than many other garden tasks. My first attempts at grafting resulted in one of my father’s treasured James Grieve apple trees producing not only typical fruit but several branches of Laxtons as well. A sharp knife is of the utmost importance, indeed, the ability to maintain a keen edge on the blade makes the difference between success and failure.
Where it is not possible to pull a branch down to soil level recourse may be made to the rather more difficult air-layering which has been brought within everyone’s compass by the invention of polythene. I use this form of propagation for acers, certain rhododendrons, in fact anything rather special which may be reluctant to root from cuttings. The operation is carried out in April on young, disease-free wood of the previous season’s growth.
Odd though it may seem there are shrubs which lend themselves with a little gentle persuasion to propagation by means of division, a perfectly legitimate short cut in my opinion for those possessed of sufficient confidence. In fact, when considering further plantings of romneya, pernettya, spiraea, even fuchsia.
I lift existing plantings just as growth is starting in the spring and then with a spade filed really sharp. indulge in a little precise surgery, which reduces one plant to several healthy pieces. Replanted in soil prepared with sharp sand they quickly establish themselves and make flowering-sized specimens by the summer.
Tags: all, best, business, buy, gardening, health, home, info, internet, my, news, skateboards, the, tips, your
 Print This Post
|
Rate this post:
Related Posts:
- No related posts