RE: Propagation, was Overwintering Calibrachoa
- To:
- Subject: RE: Propagation, was Overwintering Calibrachoa
- From: d*
- Date: Sun, 18 Oct 1998 12:17:19 -0500
- Importance: Normal
> So, I'm game on trying to propagate Calibrachoa. Is there anything
> special that I should do? Just a peat/perlite mixture kept moist?
> Traditionally I can keep them alive for about 3 weeks before cuttings
> die (including perennials such as Penstemon, Coreopsis), but after
> that they always start to rot.
Chris,
What propagation system do you usually use? Soil-free or soil-based mixes?
Believe it or not, I've had more success with the soil-free mixes because
most of the soil-bases mixes in my area are based on the junk scraped out of
cornfields and some of those soils still have significant pre-emergant
herbicide residues. Atrazine is the one I worry about most, but there are
others...
http://www.ianr.unl.edu/pubs/Pesticides/g113.htm
http://ndsuext.nodak.edu/extnews/weedpro/crn/herbicideresidue.html
Be aware of pH balances; some seedlings are pH sensitive.
Part of my spring seed starting ritual is letting water sit for a day or so
before I use it on seedlings. I use the top and bottom inches of that water
on well-established plants -- *not* on seedlings. (Just call me paranoid --
I lost one batch of seedlings after a rainfront moved through. I blamed
fertilizer/herbicide runoff for that loss.)
Barb in Southern Indiana Zone 5/6 dorsett@blueriver.net
A root is a flower that disdains fame.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE PERENNIALS
