why do my plants keep being in bad condition
HU-308931658
2 years ago
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Comments (24)
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
2 years agofloral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
2 years agoRelated Discussions
Why Do My Cuttings Keep Dying?
Comments (10)The rooting of cuttings is energy-driven, and most houseplants 'peak' insofar as their energy levels are concerned in late summer, so late summer will find hobby houseplant growers realizing their highest strike %s if they follow a few simple guidelines. Oxygen is an element essential to the success of cuttings. You want LOTS of air in the medium you're using to root cuttings. Use a coarse medium that doesn't support perched water; or, if it does support perched water, be sure you use a container deep enough that the proximal end (closest to the roots) of the cutting is NEVER covered by a film of water. Think 'DAMP', not 'WET'. You'll also want to reduce the leaf surface area in most cases, eliminating some leaves or cutting them across the veins. This is to help reduce the amount of transpiration. If the plant can't keep up with the volume of water lost through foliage, the plant will SHED the foliage as a normal drought response, which is not conducive to rooting. Essentially, when you're trying to propagate cuttings, it's a race to establish a healthy hydraulic connection between roots and shoots before fungal organisms rot the plumbing. For that reason, try to steer clear of a medium that contains any form of mineral soil - garden soil, topsoil, unsterilized sand ...... Here is an effective way to keep humidity levels high & assure a high success rate: Neatly cut the top of a clear gallon jug. Stick your cuttings in a coarse, sterile medium like washed and screened perlite (in open shade). The plastic tray has holes in it so it drains after you water the cutting. After the cutting strikes, remove the screw on cap to allow more air circulation, then gradually remove the 'tent' entirely. I've probably done at least 100 cuttings to share already this summer using this or a similar set-up. Here is a Ficus microcarpa recently rooted under the milk jug for a friend. Notice the wick hanging down to drain excess (perched) water from the soil - practicing what I preach about the 'damp, not wet' thing. Let me know if you want a pic of some of the other cuttings done in such a manner; especially let me know if you have questions ..... Al...See MoreCatalpa Tree, good or bad? & How do I keep the caterpillars off?
Comments (28)This tree does fantastic in my area, the Northern species atleast. The catalpa worm does not range in my area and these trees are blemish-free all year up here. A Chinese species has been planted in the area with pronged leaves and is seeding slightly, as evidence by the young trees around, but those small plants donÂt survive a really dry summer usually, but there are atleast 3 juvenile plants that are 15 feet tall now. Mature plants are very hardy here. Also pretty, but I prefer the northern....See MoreWhy do my plants look so different?
Comments (6)Maybe exponential growth. When they have small differences in the beginning the one that did better had an advantage. So more leaves early leads to more growth early. Also yes being in the dark does cause elongation. Its also possible one is a nuclear tree and the other zygotic....See MoreWhy do I keep doing it?
Comments (16)A Baptista sphaerocarpa poked its little head up today in one of my pots. I love when those bigger seeds come up and push up the potting soil, looks so frisky and alive. Also, the Mountain Mint came up, talk about teeny tiny plants. I'll probably end up frying them in my sunny window. They came up very easily, a bit too easily if you get my drift. I was hesitant to type that because I don't think its appropriate nor do I have any desire to get into a political back and forth discussion on a forum like this (or anywhere else for that matter) but I'm really scared. The recent developments are grotesquely disturbing and its affecting my state of mind. These are worrisome times but I've been observing and commented on Hot Topics (on one of the not so 'hot' threads) that it appears a long dormant patriotism is awakening due to resistance. We are for the most part a good and generous people even if we don't look like it right now to the rest of the world....See MoreJoJo (Nevada 9A)
2 years agoHU-308931658
2 years agoHU-308931658
2 years agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
2 years agoHU-308931658
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
2 years agoJoJo (Nevada 9A)
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agoJoJo (Nevada 9A)
2 years agoHU-308931658
2 years agoHU-308931658
2 years agoJoJo (Nevada 9A)
2 years agoHU-308931658
2 years agotapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
2 years agoJoJo (Nevada 9A)
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agofloral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
2 years agoEllen Bshaw
2 years agoHU-308931658
2 years agotapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agopetrushka (7b)
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agoTiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
2 years agohellkitchenguy Manuel
2 years ago
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tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)