May 14 2016 - B’s Farm - sheep skin (?) and plant propagation Visited V’s good frie
May 14 2016 - B’s Farm - sheep skin (?) and plant propagation Visited V’s good friend B over in Swannanoa. The first picture appeared to be stretched and salted (???) fur/skin, probably from a sheep. There are a few sheep on the property. I don’t ask too many questions about the animals there. Half the time I’m there, someone is on the property killing and dressing an animal. Not really my scene. Second picture, V is examining some attempts at taking cuttings. B is still learning the ins and outs of propagation. What he did here was cut branches, dip them in some rooting hormone powder, put them in bins with a few holes drilled in them, mostly covered them in plastic bags, and left them in his unheated/uncooled barn. What happened is that the vast majority of the cuttings rotted. It can be tricky to get the balance right: you don’t want things to dry out but you don’t want them to rot, either. His farm is stocked with a large variety of materials, so we were able to point out various nearby stuff he could use to make a better container - but in the end, he and V will probably set up a rather large system together at some point. The other issue is that the rooting hormone was probably too old. It happens. We love the gel stuff over the powder, but it’s definitely pricey.We’re exhausted from this week but there’s more to do - the tiny plug plants in the milk crate must be tended to, they have some rare Elderberry genetics. We brought them home with us for some Critter Cove TLC. I also picked up a discount grape vine from HD. Oh and some bulk zinnia seeds from Eden Brothers… -- source link
#personal#plant propagation