Plant Propagation A to Z: Growing Plants for Free - Hardcover

Bryant, Geoff

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1552976882 ISBN 13: 9781552976883

Publisher: Firefly Books, 2003

Synopsis

In Plant Propagation A to Z, over 500 photographs illustrate both practical step-by-step propagation techniques and the plants themselves. More than 1,000 garden plants are covered in the extensive tables, detailing the specific propagation techniques to use -- seed, cutting or division -- for each plant. More specialized propagation methods are also described, including layering, grafting, and even growing ferns from spores. Information on germination time, strike rate, time of year to propagate, and temperature required is given, with specific instructions covering 500 popular garden ornamentals.

Plant Propagation A to Z gives practical advice to:

Decide the right technique to use
Determine the best time to propagate
Learn specialized propagation methods
Choose the right equipment

Easy-to-use and informative, Plant Propagation A to Z is an essential gardening reference book that will be used time and again.

About this title

About the Author

Geoff Bryant has been a plant propagator and hybridizer for 25 years, specializing in ornamental shrubs. Now a fulltime garden writer and photographer, he has written or contributed to a dozen gardening books.

Reviews

Whether driven by economic incentive or the tinker's need to dabble in creation, propagating garden plants can satisfy a number of goals, yet with its implied message of a prerequisite knowledge of even the most rudimentary botany, it remains cloaked in the mystique of the unattainable. Writing for the average home gardener, who might not know an "aerial root" from a "stolon," Bryant dispels these myths with a practical and straightforward approach. In a comprehensive guide that outlines both basic and advanced techniques, materials, and tools, Bryant presents a wealth of information in a variety of formats. Easily accessible, alphabetically arranged tables show at a glance crucial information on general and specific propagation methods and germination requirements for more than 1,000 annuals, perennials, trees, and shrubs, while a photographic compendium gives a concise overview of techniques best suited for the most popular garden ornamentals. From abelia to zinnia, from seed sowing to root cutting, Bryant's guide provides an essential and encyclopedic resource for the fiscally minded, or just creatively curious, gardener. Carol Haggas
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Plant Propagation A to Z

Introduction

Having a garden or even just a love of plants provides a lifetime of joy. However, that enjoyment does not always come cheaply because for all but the most esoteric designs, gardens need plants and those plants are usually bought. So it is often with economy in mind that gardeners start to propagate their own plants. However, plant propagation is even more addictive than gardening and if you have a passion for plants, propagating them provides the ultimate satisfaction. Moreover, it does not have to involve elaborate equipment and months of waiting. Hundreds of different plants can be propagated quickly with little more than a few seed trays, a good pair of pruning shears, decent potting mix and some sturdy plastic bags.

I suppose that strictly speaking, plant propagation is a science, but for the most part it is easy. Easy that is, once you learn the basics and break through the mystique that surrounds the idea of the "green-fingered" propagator. There is really no such creature and the expertise and equipment needed for simple plant propagation is within anyone's reach. The plants that result can be at least as good as those bought from the garden center, and they provide a sense of achievement and closeness to nature that is rare in our increasingly store-bought, manufactured age.

This book is for home gardeners whose small- to medium-scale propagation involves plenty of trial and error While I have tried to be as precise as possible, I know that not all of my methods will work for all gardeners in all circumstances. There are usually several ways to propagate a plant, depending on the season, the available equipment and the propagator's expertise. Therefore, I have attempted to give just an outline of the general techniques involved along with highlighting some of the pitfalls to avoid. Feel free to try different methods, because a large part of being successful with plant propagation is finding out what works for you and your plants. Plenty of reading helps, too, as does developing a comprehensive understanding of plant types, families and relationships.

Finally you need a sense of quality; don't be happy to put up with whatever plants result. Demand the same standards that you expect of a professional nursery and have no qualms about consigning your lesser efforts to the compost pile. When you start to realize that the parental pride of the propagator has to come second to producing good plants, you will know that your efforts and experiments are turning into experience and understanding.

Edition details

• Publisher: Firefly Books
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1552976882
• ISBN 13: 9781552976883
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 224