Cuttings, Planting your rainforest seed propagation, Cutting propagation – General Hydroponics RainForest 36 User Manual

Page 4

Cuttings

The RainForest Model 36 provides the best pos-

sible medium for propagating cuttings. Rooting in

the unit is fast and root growth is vigorous. The

RainForest Model 36 enables you to grow just

about any plant from cuttings, but in order to

achieve maximum potential, it is critical to take

cuttings intelligently.

Illustrations 1 & 2.

Single-stem plants, such as Dieffenbachias or

Craceanas, are propagated from stem or cane

cuttings. Select a point on the stem where the

diameter is less than 1

inches, so your cutting

will fit all the way down into the growing cup. Make

the cut just below a leaf, a place where a leaf has

been attached, or between two rings on a cane.

Illustrations 3 & 4.

Multi-branch plants can be cut by using a sharp

knife or razor and cutting flush with the main stem

at a 45 degree angle. Never use scissors. No

other foliage need be removed. In fact, the plant

will probably maintain buds or blossoms while

putting out new foliage in the RainForest Model

36 system.

Illustrations 5 & 6.

Large cuttings may be taken from many plants,

including the weeping fig (Ficus benjamina) and

the Schefflera (Brassaia actinopylla) by cutting

part or all of a branch of stem (with a maximum

diameter of 1

in.). Top-heavy cuttings can be

supported with a

dowel inserted into

the growing cup

until their root sys-

tems develop suffi-

ciently.

Illustration 7.

Multiple

cuttings

can be obtained

from most weeping

or cascading plants

such as Hoyas

(Hoya

carnosa),

climbing

Philodendron

(Philodendron scandens) and Wandering Jew

(Zebrina pendula). Make cuts at the desired

lengths. Remove foliage and flowers from 4 in. of

the base and insert one

or several cuttings into

a single growing cup.

Illustration 8.

Root division is the

method for propagating

plants such as the

Peace

Lily

(Spathyphyllum was-

sisii) and Cyclamen

(Cyclamen persicum). Cut vertically through

tubers with good foliage growth and some roots.

Thoroughly rinse any soil off roots, then remove

any broken or damaged roots with a sharp knife.

Planting your RainForest

Seed Propagation

Fill each growing cup almost to

the top with Hydroton that have

been “conditioned” in tap water.

Place seeds on the Hydroton as

you would plant them in the ground. Cover the

seeds with a layer of Hydroton. Larger seeds

should be planted deeper and smaller seeds

should be planted closer to the surface. Place

very small seeds on a piece of fine nylon netting,

or other non-absorbent support, just under the

surface of the Hydroton.

Insert the cups firmly into the holes in the

reservoir cover. To slow evaporation of the nutri-

ent solution, cover any unused holes.

Cutting Propagation

Put a cover on each growing cup,

and poke a pencil through the cover

holes to loosen any tight hole flaps.

Trim each cutting so that 3

inches can extend below the cup

cover (through the bottom of the

cup and into the nutrient solu-

tion) and a few inches (contain-

ing several leaves) can extend

above the cover.

Insert the cuttings into the

cups, making sure that they are

well separated where they pass

through the cup bottom. The

first roots will form at the lowest

node on the cutting, which must

be submerged in the nutrient

solution.

Insert the cups firmly into the

holes in the reservoir cover. To

slow evaporation of the nutrient

solution, cover any unused

holes.

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