Re: OT...PVC pipe split was: Re: Topping trees for shaping

In a message dated 8/1/02 2:54:25 AM Eastern Daylight Time, mtalt@hort.net 
writes:

<< Well, Diann, that's a good question...Claire, how does it work with
 this type of situation? >>
 
I would have to say that I do not do this job, my son does.  He cuts and fits 
pipes in a whiz.  He uses black ones because I thought white ones looked 
strange on conifers. It is again one of those things I learn when I ask.  
Apparently, there is some pipe cutting or fitting tool.  I have seen him do 
this in about five minutes beginning to end. We need a man here to explain 
this pipe thing.  My son is in this business and the scrap is very useful.

PVC pipe scrap is the BEST way I have ever found to root cuttings.  You line 
them up in a box or pan and fill them with sand. You insert the cutting and 
place in the shade and there is a very high rate of success plus very little 
space is required.  When rooted you just push out the new plant and it is 
very little disturbed.  You hardly need to water them after the first time, 
do check however, and this long run for the cuttings, especially woodies, 
works well.  You can also store the whole box of rooted cuttings in a frame 
until the following spring.   This idea is from a local gardener who is whiz 
at propagation and asked me to pick up scrap from son's jobsites.

Also on tips, here is another one that I am going to try.  It is too hot 
folks, to go outside here this week so too many posts.  If you are planting 
amongst rocks or are uilging a wall and wall planting spaces in the wall, 
fill an old tube sock with the soil mix, put in the plant, shove all into the 
rocky space.  The sock will rot away and the plant will have soil no matter 
how much it rains on your new planting,  It then is supposed to become 
established much more easily than if rain dissipates the soil mix put into 
the wall or rocks.  This from some other magazine of journal on a hot day.

There are two drought resistant plants in the same journal which might be 
mentioned.  One is Nicotiana, the other larkspur. Both grow and bloom well in 
soil that has never been touched by more than the windy  spring rain.  Both 
bloom under the house overhang here and nobody ever waters these plants.  
Both are treated as annuals thought they make a lot of seed so are always 
there.  Bearded irises are also in there with no water. Some old iris that 
survives and blooms no matter what happens to it.  It may be worth collecting 
old irises for droughty areas.

Claire Peplowski  

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