On sunday 2/3rds of the family went out to Woolworths, the main reason for
the outing was to get a Freeview box. Then we discovered that the Sale was
still on, so I mananged to pick up a Heated Propagator at half price, so I
was pleased.

I also noticed they had received their supply of boxed plants. These are
mostly Roses and shrubs, but the prices they are charging seem impossible to
beat.

I have a plan to take up propagating trees and shrubs for a living if I ever
get made redundant from my "day job". But at £2.99 for an Acer Palmatum, I
am thinking I need to re work my plans. At that rate I will need to sell
about 100000 shrubs per annum to even make it worth my while.

I did noy buy any of their stuff because its hard to see the roots on most
of them, in fact on some its hard to see what shape the top of the plant is
in. So its a bit like buying blind. I guess I could get a tenners worth
grow them on until the shape and colour becoumes apparent, keep the ones
that look OK and sell the remainder at the summer school fairs.

After that ramble back to the point. My Heated Propagator, can anyone
recommend and good books on propagation or alternatively, instant uses for
my new toy.

Janet Tweedy wrote in message ...
In article , Philip
writes
After that ramble back to the point. My Heated Propagator, can anyone
recommend and good books on propagation or alternatively, instant uses for
my new toy.



The two books I have are The gardening Which guide to Successful
propagation and The Complete Book of Propagation (Mitchell Beazley
pub.).
Garden news says to delay sowing most things at the moment but to try
tiny seeds such as geraniums and begonias etc as they need a longer
growing period. Don't forget though that you then have to grow them on
in some heat!

Janet


Janet

I sprouted a Satsuma pip in compost in the airing cupboard. Took
about 3 weeks to a month for anything to happen. There were 3 white
shoots each 2 - 3 mm long. About 2 weeks ago I potted it up and put
it on the windowcill.

If I am reading your last sentence correctly, I think I should have
continued with the warm conditions for my sprouted pip. Is that
correct ?

Phil

The message
from (Philip) contains these words:

I sprouted a Satsuma pip in compost in the airing cupboard. Took
about 3 weeks to a month for anything to happen. There were 3 white
shoots each 2 - 3 mm long. About 2 weeks ago I potted it up and put
it on the windowcill.

If I am reading your last sentence correctly, I think I should have
continued with the warm conditions for my sprouted pip. Is that
correct ?

Should be OK as long as it doesn't get really cold.

I have a satsuma which has survived (so far) in a sort-of unheated porch.

--
Rusty
Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar.
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/

The message
from (jane) contains these words:

Instant use: ok, almost instant. Grow carnations. They need 60-70
degree temperatures between Feb and April to germinate, according to
the back of the packet I just got. My propagator will be coming out
shortly...

In the days when you could buy an eclectic Blunkett in a charity shop, I
made a vast propagator by sandwiching said Blunkett between two layers
of steel sheet from the backs of old Dexion shelving and glueing the
edges and cable exit with silicone, then squeezed the edges together
with Dexion bolts and nuts through the holes along the edges. The cable
was ducted through thin hosepipe.

Then I dug a hole, planted a thick piece of expanded polystyerine sealed
into a plastic bag in it, with the 'hotplate' on top, replaced soil and
constructed a coldframe over it.

It worked for years. Then I moved.....

--
Rusty
Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar.
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/

In article , Philip
writes

I sprouted a Satsuma pip in compost in the airing cupboard. Took
about 3 weeks to a month for anything to happen. There were 3 white
shoots each 2 - 3 mm long. About 2 weeks ago I potted it up and put
it on the windowcill.

If I am reading your last sentence correctly, I think I should have
continued with the warm conditions for my sprouted pip. Is that
correct ?

Phil


I was referring to the geraniums and begonias Phil, not so sure about
the satsuma pip. I wouldn't have thought it had to be VERY hot for it to
now get going, light levels are what are crucial usually to growth.
--
Janet Tweedy
Dalmatian Telegraph
http://www.lancedal.demon.co.uk

The message
from Janet Tweedy contains these words:

I was referring to the geraniums and begonias Phil, not so sure about
the satsuma pip. I wouldn't have thought it had to be VERY hot for it to
now get going, light levels are what are crucial usually to growth.

Two of my nine month old lemon trees have put on six inches since
November, standing on an east-facing windowsill in an unheated room.

The satsuma hasn't grown much in the last three months, but it's in an
even colder position.

--
Rusty
Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar.
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/

The message
from Janet Tweedy contains these words:

I was referring to the geraniums and begonias Phil, not so sure about
the satsuma pip. I wouldn't have thought it had to be VERY hot for it to
now get going, light levels are what are crucial usually to growth.

Two of my nine month old lemon trees have put on six inches since
November, standing on an east-facing windowsill in an unheated room.

The satsuma hasn't grown much in the last three months, but it's in an
even colder position.

--
Rusty
Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar.
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/

On Mon, 12 Jan 2004 23:33:54 -0000, "Philip"
wrote:

~On sunday 2/3rds of the family went out to Woolworths, the main reason for
~the outing was to get a Freeview box. Then we discovered that the Sale was
~still on, so I mananged to pick up a Heated Propagator at half price, so I
~was pleased.
~
~I also noticed they had received their supply of boxed plants. These are
~mostly Roses and shrubs, but the prices they are charging seem impossible to
~beat.
~
~I have a plan to take up propagating trees and shrubs for a living if I ever
~get made redundant from my "day job". But at £2.99 for an Acer Palmatum, I
~am thinking I need to re work my plans. At that rate I will need to sell
~about 100000 shrubs per annum to even make it worth my while.
~
~I did noy buy any of their stuff because its hard to see the roots on most
~of them, in fact on some its hard to see what shape the top of the plant is
~in. So its a bit like buying blind. I guess I could get a tenners worth
~grow them on until the shape and colour becoumes apparent, keep the ones
~that look OK and sell the remainder at the summer school fairs.
~
~After that ramble back to the point. My Heated Propagator, can anyone
~recommend and good books on propagation or alternatively, instant uses for
~my new toy.
~

Instant use: ok, almost instant. Grow carnations. They need 60-70
degree temperatures between Feb and April to germinate, according to
the back of the packet I just got. My propagator will be coming out
shortly...

They are very very good for germinating things like courgettes, beans
sweetcorn and the like. I had a much better germination rate last
season thanks to having a cheapie propagator (cost me a tenner from
B&Q) rather than relying on the greenhouse heater. With the corn it
was near 100% where the previous year (unheated) it was 65%.

You do have to watch out for temperatures though - best thing I can
advise is popping a thermometer into the thing - lay it over the top
of the pot or tray - so you know if it's getting too hot.

I have a book called Propagation Basics (by Steven Bradley) at home.
Publisher: Hamlyn; ISBN: 0806988517 (Amazon is useful sometimes!)
It's quite clear in its layout and costs around 7 quid. Amazon has
it, but it's on a 2 week order.


--
jane

Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone,
you may still exist but you have ceased to live.
Mark Twain

Please remove onmaps from replies, thanks!

Jaques d'Alltrades wrote in message ...
The message
from Janet Tweedy contains these words:

I was referring to the geraniums and begonias Phil, not so sure about
the satsuma pip. I wouldn't have thought it had to be VERY hot for it to
now get going, light levels are what are crucial usually to growth.


The satsuma hasn't grown much in the last three months, but it's in an
even colder position.

My Satsuma is still completely below ground. Did I get it out of the
airing cupboard too soon ?

I sprouted it in a grit/compost mix a plastic bag. Then once i saw
evidence of growth I moved it to a pot. I think I may put future
attempts in the same mix, but in a pot in a plastic bag. Saves on the
risk of damage during the bag opening discovery process.

Jaques d'Alltrades wrote in message ...
The message
from Janet Tweedy contains these words:

I was referring to the geraniums and begonias Phil, not so sure about
the satsuma pip. I wouldn't have thought it had to be VERY hot for it to
now get going, light levels are what are crucial usually to growth.


The satsuma hasn't grown much in the last three months, but it's in an
even colder position.

My Satsuma is still completely below ground. Did I get it out of the
airing cupboard too soon ?

I sprouted it in a grit/compost mix a plastic bag. Then once i saw
evidence of growth I moved it to a pot. I think I may put future
attempts in the same mix, but in a pot in a plastic bag. Saves on the
risk of damage during the bag opening discovery process.

The message
from (Philip) contains these words:

The satsuma hasn't grown much in the last three months, but it's in an
even colder position.

My Satsuma is still completely below ground. Did I get it out of the
airing cupboard too soon ?

I sprouted it in a grit/compost mix a plastic bag. Then once i saw
evidence of growth I moved it to a pot. I think I may put future
attempts in the same mix, but in a pot in a plastic bag. Saves on the
risk of damage during the bag opening discovery process.

Ah. give it a watering with an anti-mould/fungal solution ASAP. Citrus
seedlings are notorious for rotting and/or damping-off.

I hope you're not too late.

--
Rusty
Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar.
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/