Plant propagation

Fig cuttings collected from a dormant fig tree. Fig cuttings root well despite being the double the length of most cuttings collected for rooting.

Improve Rooting Success for Cuttings

The recent warm temperatures have caused fruit tree cuttings to shoot early, risking depletion of reserves before root formation. Timing, tree health, rooting hormone, and careful care can improve success rates. #LoveHomeGrown

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Plant propagation
Pineapple plant

Growing Pineapples

Pineapples thrive in the wet, elevated northwestern parts of Zambia and the drier, lower altitudes of Lusaka. They require well-drained, organic-rich soil and suffer delayed growth due to a lack of water and nutrients. Best grown in pots, they take 12 to 24 months to fruit and can be easily propagated, yielding up to 3 plants.

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Plant Care, Plant propagation, Potted Plants
Yellow Chayote vines and fruits

Planting Chayote squash (Sechium edule)

Chayote (Sechium edule) is a versatile, low-maintenance plant that can grow as a vine. All parts are edible and it is a valuable source of pollen for bees. Growing it requires planting the whole fruit, preferably once it’s sprouted, in loose soil. Necessary support ensures optimal growth. Maintenance includes regular watering and allows for harvesting within a month of planting.

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Plant Care, Plant propagation
Fruiting fig air layer

Air-Layering: plant propagation part 3

Air-layers are vegetatively propagated plants, genetically identical to the parent plant. They bear fruit earlier than other propagated plants and have a decreased vulnerability to drought stress. They can be created without a rootstock and avoid graft rejection or dieback. However, there are some drawbacks: the process requires skill, they may lose some rootstock benefits, not all plants are suited for air-layering,

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Plant propagation
Pink sword beans

Plant Propagation: Seeds

Seed propagation is a common method used to grow food, offering benefits like low cost, easy transport, and simple planting. However, it presents challenges especially for fruit trees including inconsistent fruit type, potential disease spread, high plant mortality rate, lengthy fruit-bearing time, and a lack of seeds in some fruits. Alternative propagation methods include cuttings, grafting, suckers, marcotting, and air layering, which yield true-to-type fruits faster.

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Plant propagation, Spring and Summer Gardening in the Subtropics
Rooted grape cuttings

Plant propagation: Cuttings

Cuttings are pieces of plants used to propagate new plants. Cultivation benefits include obtaining plants true to the parent type, cost-effectiveness, and ease of transport. While some plants root easily, others require specific techniques. Despite being initially smaller than seed-grown or grafted plants, cuttings are easier to manage. Rooting powders or natural products like honey and cinnamon can improve success rates,

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Plant propagation, Spring and Summer Gardening in the Subtropics
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