Plant Propagation

For the past couple of years, I have been propagating everything from trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. This is to save money on plants, and because propagation is relatively easy. 

Results take longer. But the end results are worth it. Propagating is a way to keep money in your pocket, a way to reduce your plastic consumption (no more plant containers that end up in a landfill), and a way to educate yourself on every stage of a plant's life and how to live more sustainably.

The types of propagation I have tried thus far are cuttings and seeds. I tried grafting a couple times but didn't have any success. I also didn't do it properly. My future goal is to try again until I have success. I know a family who has grafted their own trees and now has an orchard of fruit trees. Hmmm...they may get a visit from me this year.  

Every year I pull a book off my shelf that my best friend had given me many years ago (she was someone who I could talk to for hours on plants). The book is Plant Propagation by Alan Toogood. He is the author of several plant propagation books. I highly recommend him for go-to information on propagation techniques for beginners, and even those who are experienced. There's always something new to learn when it comes to plants.

My mother was the first to introduce me to plant propagation. She always started plants in pots on her windowsill. A rooted rose cutting, a lemon tree from seeds, and a pineapple top turned into a pineapple plant, things she commonly grew. Once, she had taken a peach seed and planted it, and many years later it now produces plenty of peaches.

This year I started 4 apple trees from seeds. They came from trees on my son's property that is good for pies and applesauce. Time will tell if they survive and fruit. Another son had given me wild black raspberry plant starters. I also currently have heirloom rose cuttings in saved pots, cherry seeds, and several shrubs. From last year's propagation, I planted a buckeye tree and a Chestnut tree recently. I'm not yet sure what type of chestnut tree the seed came from, but I'll find out this fall with an app and post it here. Most certainly it's not an American chestnut. These types "suffered a catastrophic population collapse due to chestnut blight caused by an Asian bark fungus".

Buckeye trees aren't really good for anything other than squirrel food. I love squirrels, so I planted it in the field for them, even when I know there are other nuts trees in our yard that they enjoy and make their homes in.

I can't say enough of how fascinating and fun it is to propagate your own plants, whether you do it for food, pollinators, or aesthetic reasons. Even giving plants away when you know you don't need more plants, it is rewarding to know someone else will benefit from the fruits of your labor, and might even become a gardener themselves.

Happy Propagating!