Growers

Comment

Comment by Jody Fuchs on September 16, 2010 at 3:12pm

Hi Everyone,

I am a young grower in South Africa. Our climate is sub tropical and our spring has just begun. Average temperatures are about 24 deg C up to 32 with high Relative Humidity. We have an abundance of coarse river sand which is ideal for rooting many types of cuttings.

I have been given the task of producing Dracaena Janet Craig 18" and 6" canes in 20cm pots. Please advise me as to the best course of action.

I have plenty Mother stock of about 1" diameter canes.
Should I root canes in the pots? Or in beds?
Should I air layer the canes first and then plant them in the pots?
We import Massangeana canes, plant them 3 per pot in bark, can I do the same with Janet Craig? It's stem is not as woody as D. fragrans.
Should I root them in coarse river sand? Or in a bark based medium?
Should I root them with bottom heating?
Do they need misting?
Should I paint the tops?
Should I use a rooting hormone?
How do I ensure three to five heads of foliage?
What feeding regime will bring the best results?
Should I root them under shade?
Thanks
Jody

Comment by Martyn Phillips on April 16, 2009 at 6:56pm

Hey Rita, brushing is the oldest and least toxic PGR still. You know, physically brushing along the tops of the plants. It can be done with a board as wide as your bench with someone holding each end.
Just walk along the bench with the board coming in contact with the tops of all the plants. Very non-toxic yet very, very time consuming to actually get good results.

Comment by Rita Randolph on February 22, 2009 at 2:14pm

Hey Andy, I was surprised to know that many seed items are now available with pgr's added to the seed coat! Where was I when that happened?!
Anyway, what's the safest and least toxic pgr that you recommend?
I'm an old hippy that doesn't really like to use them that much, but there are times...

Comment by Andy Seckinger on February 9, 2009 at 2:06pm

Any need for information on Plant Growth Regulators for Spring Crops?

Comment by Donna Taggart on January 6, 2009 at 10:28pm

I started over 3 season ago in a totally new market (after a divorce) and my 20 years of ornamental experience had not prepared me for this market...but it has prepared me for this depression! Vegetable transplants!! That's what this market "eats up". I can't sell a $50 tree or shrub but a $20 flat of vegetable transplants, all day long every day! And a 30% increase in demand last season due to rumor of a rice shortage. I am increasing production this year by 50%. short shelf life requires excellent timing and yes it can be labor intensive and not as much "fun" as ornamental, but the profit margin is GREAT! Make lemonade guys!

Comment by Steve on December 28, 2008 at 9:57pm

I am no climatologist but my gut tells me to expect more unexpected weather events. It is Nature's way of trying to correct the atmosphere's problems. Probably gonna get worse ... IF it ever gets better.

Comment by Alan Shapiro on November 21, 2008 at 11:47am

We had 22 degrees the other night - before Thanksgiving! We usually don't even cover our greenhouses before Thanksgiving. What happened to global warming?