Volume 15

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A HISTORY OF MIST PROPAGATION

Author: William E. Snyder

PP: 63

It is probably very appropriate that we pause to reflect on the historical development, the theoretical aspects, and the commercial applications of the use of mist in plant propagation and to consider what the future may contribute to the further development of this technique.

It has been a herculean task to condense into a 10-Minute talk the 29 year history of mist propagation and at the same time to recognize the contributions made by more than 100 different scientists and nurserymen who have authored over 300 articles and papers on this subject.

First, let us define what is meant by "mist propagation". By "mist propagation", we mean the mechanical spraying of water to maintain a film of water on the leaves and stems of cuttings. As evaporation occurs from this film of water, the temperature of the leaf tissue is reduced below that of the surrounding air and transpiration is markedly reduced. With mist, cuttings can be maintained in a turgid condition even though they are

PRINCIPLES OF HARDINESS AND SURVIVAL AS THEY RELATE TO NEWLY PROPAGATED PLANTS1 2

Author: Conrad J. Weiser

PP: 113

Plant survival at low temperatures has been a vexing problem since man first gathered the fruits of the fields to provide sustenance for himself. Today a nurseryman in the Great Plains or an orange grower in Florida would both agree that low temperature injury is a most serious problem. In fact on much of the earth's surface low temperature is the single most limiting factor to plant growth and survival.

In the discussion to follow, we will attempt to provide a basis for the panel discussion to follow. I will emphasize research at the University of Minnesota, not because it is necessarily the best but because time is limiting and it is most familiar to me.

There are a number of factors which complicate the study of plant hardiness. Winter damage can be caused by several different environmental stresses. For example, desiccation, early fall or late spring frosts, rapid temperature changes, and extreme low temperatures in midwinter can cause damage either individually or in

PRE-EMERGENCE WEED CONTROL IN NURSERY STOCK

Author: Rudy Wagner

PP: 123

It is a real pleasure to be here with you to-day to discuss a common problem which we all seem to have, WEEDS. As it is the nurserymen's most costly problem, we are all searching for ways to bring down the high cost of weed control. In the spring of 1961 we at C & 0 Nursery decided to do something about it, and tried using Chemical weed control in our ornamental stock. I am here to-day to tell you of some of the experiences we have had in the last four years.

The term pre-emergence when in reference to weed control means an application of chemicals after planting but before emergence of weeds. The selection of the chemical to be used for pre-emergence weed control will depend on whether it is being used or applied as a direct or an over all spray on lining out stock. Certain sprays cannot be used on liners even if it is directed at the base of the plants, without taking some chance of producing some injury. But the same chemical may be used quite safely as a granual applied in dry form when the foliage

SLIDE TOUR OF CALIFORNIA CONTAINER NURSERIES

Author: Richard W. Bosley

PP: 127

In April 1965 I spent 4 days in California visiting some of the larger container growing nurseries. I would like to share some of the things I saw with you.

The first stop was at the Oki nursery in Sacramento. Mr. George Oki, who is well known to the Society through the many papers he and his Production Manager, Mr. Kubo, have presented, was a most gracious host. Their organization is divided into two companies, (1) the Sacramento Nursery, which is the growing organization and, (2) Oki Nursery, which is the sales firm.

While we were in the office we looked at the IBM punched card data processing equipment that Oki Nursery has been using for several years for the routine accounting functions of order writing, invoicing, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and serves to gather sales data which can later be used with production records to forecast sales and project production requirements. This equipment will allow them to move smoothly into IBM data processing equipment which they have

PROPAGATION OF RHODODENDRON CAROLINIANUM FROM STEM CUTTINGS1

Author: Thomas Hall, T.F Cannon

PP: 134

Commercial producers of Rhododendron carolinianum have been limited to propagation by seed or "cutbacks" (collected plants with the above-ground parts and the majority of the root system removed), since the literature indicates that most previous attempts to root stem cuttings have met with poor success.

The time required to produce "landscape-size" plants from seed is longer than would be required for the production of plants from either "cutbacks" or stem cuttings. The use of "cut-backs" has been extensive in North Carolina, but several disadvantages of this procedure will preclude its use in the future. Available plants of good quality for "cutbacks" are becoming limited and landowners hesitate to allow further exploitation. Since the preparation for planting results in large wounds on these plant parts, microorganisms frequently damage or destroy a large number of "cutbacks&quo; and lower the efficiency of the procedure.

Propagation by stem cuttings would insure the producer of plants with

NEW MISTING NOZZLE WITH SELF CONTAINED ADJUSTABLE TIMER

Author: Werner Rexer

PP: 138

A few years ago, it got into my mind, that all the intermittent-misting units are operated by a solenoid and some kind of a device. The solenoid-value itself, the way it is designed, needs little power, the water supply line, thinking in the way of hydraulics, can be boosted to create power, a thousand times stronger than needed.

From the day this idea entered my mind, I had only one thought, to design and build a valve, powered by the supply of water, and operated by the evaporation of water, fully adjustable, for misting, light and heavy field irrigation. I was fully aware of the difference between theory and practice, and such a valve may have to be rebuilt a hundred times before being practical for production. I decided then, that just to prove my point that such a valve could be built, and to stay within my budget, to design a small valve for one nozzle only, with adjustable timing, all in one unit.

This type of nozzle, would be impractical for the use in large scale propagation, however, it

SUCCESS AND FAILURE IN ROOTING TSUGA CANADENSIS

Author: Carl Grant Wilson

PP: 139

The following is such a peculiar observation that if I had not observed it myself I would discount it 100%. But it occurred under my direct observation.

I am sorry I cannot deliver this paper in person but the illness of my wife makes it imperative that I get her out of this severe northern weather until she recovers. This paper will, therefore, be read by my guest, John Fortney, or someone else assigned by the committee.

ROOTING OF MAGNOLIA GRANDIFLORA

Author: William J. Curtis

PP: 142

It is a great privilege to be here to present my method of propagating Magnolia grandiflora from cuttings. Magnolia grandiflora from cuttings is not at all difficult, at least I have not found it so. In Western Oregon Grandiflora will grow late &mdash in fact on November 11 when I began to outline this paper several Magnolia grandiflora Pioneer were in bloom and one-year old plants were ready to break into flower.

We have just now stuck our cuttings for this year — I feel cuttings should not be taken until the terminal bud is well developed. The loss of the terminal bud will give a crooked tree to line out. The lower branches taken from two or three year old field grown trees are best. This growth is pencil size or less, and will run from three to twelve inches in length. Cuttings 18" long or longer will root but take up too much bench room. This side shoot has a well developed terminal bud. We sever it from the three year old field grown tree with a sharp knife, leaving a piece of last year's wood on the

WEED CONTROL USING COMPRESSED AIR, A NEW CONCEPT

Author: Asper K. Laursen

PP: 145

An entirely new concept in physical weed control was developed and tested in Europe 12 years ago, and is now used successfully in hundreds of nurseries in Denmark, Germany, Holland and other countries.

The machine, a so-called weedblower, is basically a turbine-unit mounted on a cultivator and powered from the tractor's P.T.O.

Through an universal shaft and a transmission the turbines are brought up to between 15 – 20,000 R.P.M. The strong jet of air, thereby created, is channeled through flexhoses down to a steel nozzle on a cultivator base, at an 900 angle to the plants in the nursery-rows.

Proper cultivation in the nursery rows will create a small ridge of soil along the base of the plants.

The weed blower works on the principle, that, when very young, the weed seedlings' root system is much shorter, and weaker, that that of the established nursery plants.

So when the weed seedlings appear on the soil ridge in the nursery rows the jet of air will remove the weed seedlings, together with the

CAPTAN AIDS ROOTING OF LOBLOLLY PINE CUTTINGS

Author: Hoy C. Grigsby

PP: 147

Since 1942, when researchers began selecting the southern pines for specific traits, there has been increased interest in propagating them from cuttings. But in spite of an early concern with rooting techniques, accomplishments have been quite modest.

In 1961, I reported obtaining up to 52 percent rooting of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) cuttings with indolebutyric acid (IBA) treatment under intermittent mist, but could not regularly repeat this success in subsequent research (3).

In 1962, the Boskoop Trail Grounds in Holland reported good results with ornamental conifers from a combination of IBA and Captan (1). A little later Van Doesburg (2) doubled the rooting of conifers by adding Captan to IBA. Wells (5) at the thirteenth annual meeting of the Plant Propagators' Society, stated that the combined treatment decidedly improved the quality and quantity of rhododendron cuttings. Vanderbilt (4) tested the rooting response of the rhododendron hybrid cultivar Chionoides to 16 compounds,

THE EFFECTS OF MEDIAN, pH, AND ROOT INDUCING CHEMICALS ON ROOTING OF GARDENIA JASMINOIDES

Author: Booker T. Whatley, McKinley Mayes, Jack H. Jefferson

PP: 151

A limited amount of published information on the propagation of Gardenia jasminoides is available. Southern growers propagate gardenia cuttings in open nursery or in cold frames. The cuttings, six or seven inches long, are made in late winter or early spring. The cuttings are stuck in sandy soil which covers two-thirds their length (1, 5).

Watkins (5) in Florida has reported that high humidity, constant temperature and moisture are necessary for speedy rooting. The media used have been clean, sharp builder's sand, peat or sphagnum moss. Gardenias being susceptible to root-knot and other diseases, sterilized or fresh media are required. Root inducing chemicals are not essential, but larger root systems are formed in shorter periods on cuttings that have been dusted with one of the root-inducing agents.

Hartmann and Kester (2) reported that leafy terminal cuttings may be rooted in the greenhouse under glass from fall to spring. A mixture of one-half sand and one-half peat moss was a good rooting

MIST SYSTEMS AND THEIR CONTROLS

Author: Harvey Templeton

PP: 67

The first requirement of a mist system is that it distributes the water as evenly as possible over the bed area. There are several reasons for this requirement. The next speakers will discuss some of the reasons for not wanting too much water in any one spot — such as leaching of nutrients from the cuttings, water-logging of the rooting medium, etc. One reason they may not bother to mention is that the cuttings will dry out and die in any spot that does not get enough water.

Even reasonably good distribution of the water is difficult to arrange. Really uniform distribution is practically impossible. There are so many different things that must be taken into account — water pressure, nozzle spacing, nozzle height over the cuttings, type and capacity of nozzle, air movement, and a long list of other things. The difficulty is complicated by the fact that nozzles throw circular patterns of water. There is no way to arrange them so they just cover a square. There will always be a lot of

PROPAGATION OF BLUEBERRIES UNDER FLOURESCENT LIGHT AT VARIOUS INTENSITIES

Author: Sidney Waxman

PP: 154

Introduction

The trend in propagation as well as in the growing of plants has been toward a more controlled environment. For example; shading, bottom heat, mist and the plastic tent, all are forms of environmental control. By rooting cuttings under controlled conditions more consistently uniform results may be anticipated.

Although the use of such expensive controls as growth chambers, in which light, temperature and humidity are closely regulated, is not economical; structures can be used in which these environmental factors are more easily and perhaps less expensively controlled.

For example, a roof-covered pit house, built 7 – 10 feet into the soil and insulated, may be the most ideal unit for the rooting of cuttings. The buffering effect of the soil surrounding this unit could prevent temperatures from getting too high in the summer and too low in the winter. With such temperature control the relative humidity would not vary appreciably. Sudden losses of water vapor from the leaves

PROGRESS REPORT OF ROOT PROMOTING ACTIVITY IN JUVENILE AND ADULT PHASES OF MALUS ROBUSTA 5 APPLE ROOTSTOCK

Author: S.H. Nelson, J.M. Pepper

PP: 159

Since World War II, juvenility in plants has gained a certain prominence in the research of a number of countries. Specifically with Malus, reports of juvenility began to appear in European literature in the late 1940's and a summary of this was published in 1956 by Blair. MacArthur and Nelson (3) to substantiate the finding of the juvenile and adult forms in Malus and Pyrus at Ottawa. Subsequent to that report, both physiological growth phases were clearly evident on the same tree of a German rootstock-stembuilder selection received from Professor Maurer of Berlin in the late 1950's.

Of prime interest to the propagator is the fact that the juvenile form of Malus roots readily from softwood cuttings while the adult roots poorly; not only in low percentages but also with few points of attachment (11). Although there have been reports of the successful rooting of apples, I feel that the situation is fairly well summed up in the East Malling Report for 1964 (1) and I quote, "Some 30

CONTROL OF PHOMOPSIS BLIGHT IN JUNIPERUS VIRGINIANA SEEDLINGS

Author: Ralph Shugert

PP: 164

One of the most serious plant diseases of Juniperus virginiana is Phomopsis blight (Phomopsis juniperovora). In our seedlng operation at Plumfield Nurseries, Juniper virginiana is a valuable crop, since we drill one hundred pounds of seed each year, and take off about one hundred and fifty thousand seedlings, 2–0 and 3–0, annually.

Anyone who has grown an extensive amount of Juniperus virginiana is well acquainted with cedar blight. I have never seen seed beds of this species that have not been infected with this insidious fun.-Us to some extent. This particular fungus has the disconcerting characteristic of attacking the growing tip of the evergreen, thus necessitating a good spray program throughout the growing season.

Over the years the Plains nurseries, including Plumfield, have tried several fungicides but the control has not been satisfactory. For many years Bordeaux mixture was used, and this was followed by a material called Special Semesan, which is no longer manufactured.

ENDOGENOUS ACIDIC AND NEUTRAL AUXINS AND THE ROOTING OF CUTTINGS1

Author: R.E Odom, W.J. Carpenter Jr

PP: 168

Environmental and internal factors influence initiation of roots on stem cuttings. Indole auxins have been shown to be a major internal factor in root initiation. Other essential chemical substances have been found, but all require the presence of auxins.

The presence of and changes in endogenous, indole auxins in bases of several species of herbaceous and woody cuttings during rooting were determined. The five herbaceous species were Alternanthera bettzickiana ‘Aurea Nana’, Coleus blumei, Chrysanthemum morifolium ‘Dawn Star,’ Pelargonium hortorum ‘Pink Cloud,’ Dianthus caryophyllus ‘Alaska.’ Those species root readily but their root emergence varies from approximately 2 to 15 days. The two woody species studied were Pyracantha coccinea lalandi, which is somewhat erratic in rooting, and Carya illinoensis, which is considered a nonrooter.

CRABAPPLE PROPAGATION BY CUTTINGS, GRAFTING, AND BUDDING

Author: Robert C. Simpson

PP: 173

Cuttings Propagation by cuttings is the preferred method only under certain conditions. Use of hardwood cuttings has generally given poor results, Softwood cuttings under mist have given satisfactory rooting with certain varieties. Where field space is limited and misting facilities already available this method may be desirable. It is suitable where understocks are not readily available or where propagation is decided upon after the season is too far advanced to secure and line out understocks. Also it is the best method should it be desired to grow certain selections on their own roots.

Disadvantages of this method are that a longer time is required to produce a tree suitable for field or landscape planting. It is generally less expensive to propagate in large quantities by budding or grafting. Little is known about the variation in rooting response of the large number of crabapple varieties being grown.

ROOTING OF BROADLEAVED EVERGREENS, ESPECIALLY HYBRID RHODODENRONS AND SPECIES

Author: Richard T. Vanderbilt

PP: 177

The rooting of Broadleaved Evergreens covers, so much territory that I find that I will only be able to cover the rooting of hybrid Rhododendrons and even there limit myself to the big leaved types. In many phases of rooting Rhododendrons I follow many of the practices put forth in these meetings and I here acknowledge my debt to those who contributed this information.

Before you can root a Rhododendron cuttings you must get the cutting. Where this cutting comes from and how it was treated before being cut determines not only your success in rooting or rotting it, but also what kind of plant it will make after it is rooted.

There is no real substitute for stock plants in Rhododendron production. If you grow enough plants until they are six or seven years old, you might get by without them. The fact remains that ideal conditions for plants in production do not yield ideal cutting material. Stock plants must be treated differently than those being grown for sale if optimum growth and bud set are

ROOTING COFACTORS — IDENTIFICATION AND FUNCTIONS

Author: Charles E. Hess

PP: 181

The presence of root promoting substances in cuttings has been postulated since at least 1880 (4). The hypothesis is that when a cutting is taken, substances synthesized in the leaves and buds move down the stem, accumulate at the base of the cutting, and stimulate root initiation. The basis for this hypothesis can be demonstrated experimentally by removing leaves, and/or buds, reducing leaf area, or by girdling the stem of a cutting. In each case the rooting response of the cutting will be reduced. Selim (5) has been shown in Perilla cuttings, the leaves contribute up to 78 percent of the rooting response, the buds contribute 15 percent and the stems, 7 percent. The fact that girdling the stem of a cutting below the leaves, but above the rooting medium, blocks rooting indicates not only the source of root promoting substances, but also that the substances are translocated in the phloem.

The presence of naturally occurring substances can also be demonstrated in grafting experiments (3).

ROOTING OF CUTTINGS AS INFLUENCED BY THE PHOTOPERIOD OF THE STOCK PLANT

Author: James D. Kelley

PP: 186

Photoperiodism is the phenomena in which the relative length of light and darkness influences the development of plants and animals. The influence of photoperiod on the development of plants was first recognized in 1923 (1). Since then the majority of plant physiologists have focused their attention on the flowering phenomena, however they were aware that photoperiod influenced the vegetative growth of many herbaceous and woody plants.

In more recent years the effect of photoperiod on woody plants has studied by Waxman (5) and others. It has been shown that if one divides a group of actively growing dogwoods (Cornus florida L.) into two groups and places one of them under long days of 15 hours or more and the other one under short days of 12 hours or less, one will observe that the plants under long days will continue to grow but those under short days will stop growth within 2 weeks. In other words, these plants become dormant.

Waxman (5) showed that When cuttings are taken from

CENTRIFUGATION PROMOTES ROOTING OF SOFTWOOD CUTTINGS1

Author: Makoto Kawase

PP: 191

According to Cooper (1) and Went (4), the polar transport of auxin causes it to accumulate at the base of a cutting and the resulting auxin gradient causes a downward movement of rhizoealine towards the base of the cutting. Rhizoealine and auxin, thus accumulated at the base of the cutting, act together in root formation. This classical hypothesis suggested a search for some means of modifying the polar transport of auxin and rhizocaline in cuttings. Centrifugal force was applied to willow cuttings (Sulix alba. L.) which are easy rooters and it was found that centrifugation promotes rooting in this species. Although this new finding has already been published (2, 3), I would like to briefly review my work for you including results of a preliminary nature.
PROPAGATION OF PICEA PUNGENS GLAUCA CULTIVARS

Author: Leonard Savella

PP: 199

The propagation of Blue Spruce from either seed, layering or grafting has been a practice for many years. It was believed that these were the only methods to reproduce this species commercially and make it profitable.

With the introduction of the mist system of propagation, the Spruces, like many of the other ornamentals that were reproduced in one of these three ways, have become easy to root from cuttings. The procedure, is very much the same as most of the ornamentals propagated under mist, except that just a little more care should be taken in timing your cutting.

The following is a step by step method that we use at Bald Hill Nurseries, Inc. which has proven to be very successful.

An outdoor mist bed 6' wide is prepared with a layer of peat moss 1½–2" thick. Then a layer of sharp sand 6", thick is, put on top of the peat moss. The sand is then rolled with a roller filled with water for compaction. The sand is leveled off so that the surface area is as level as possible. The mist pipes are

MIST FROM A CUTTING'S VIEWPOINT

Author: Charles E. Hess

PP: 71

When softwood cuttings of plants such as Prunus serrulata were placed under intermittent mist or under conventional double glass, superior results were obtained under the mist as shown in Table I. Some of the reasons for better results under mist can be found by studying the micro environment and tissue temperatures under mist and double glass.

The vapor pressure or relative humidity under the two conditions is approximately the same when the mist is off, near

CELL CULTURE AND PLANT PROPAGATION

Author: J.P. Mahistede, F.C. Ladd, J. Peltier

PP: 202

Plant propagation, defined simply as the multiplication of plants by either sexual or asexual means involves the use of many and diverse techniques which you as plant propagators are quite familiar. The asexual propagation system that you use to supply that plant part with the missing organ or organs has its basis the satisfaction of certain basic physiological processes founded on plant biochemistry and related to plant anatomy. There are many challenging and fascinating problems in plant reproduction. They are as diverse and intricate as the numerous enzymes, amino acids, proteins and auxins that control plant growth and development. Answers to these questions come slowly, and new break-throughs often represent the integration of many accumulated facts that are put together into a workable and sensible hypothesis. These are then assimilated by the resourceful horticulturists and applied directly to the solution of some propagation problem.

In 1963, Wetherell (2), of the University of

PROPAGATION OF DIFFICULT, UNUSUAL AND RARE PLANTS

Author: Ray E. Halward

PP: 206

The plants included in this article are not necessarily difficult to root, but certainly could be classified as unusual, especially in our area. The Davidia or Dove Tree has been mentioned in previous papers. In 1958, Miss Mary Milton, former propagator of the Morris Arboretum, related its performance in the Philadelphia area. In 1960, Alfred Fordham, explained the best treatment for seed germination. My interest in Davidia was aroused in 1960, when I observed a 30' specimen growing in Hamilton. It was imported in 1935 a 6' plant from Daisy Hill Nurseries, Neury, Northern Ireland, and given some protection with evergreen boughs for four years. In 1947 it flowered for the first time, and has flowered every year since that time. I tried rooting softwood cuttings on two occasions and was unsuccessful. In the meantime, seed I had received from Denmark and the Arnold Arboretum in 1960, had germinated and were doing quite well, in an acid medium under lath house conditions. On July 14th
PROPAGATION FROM CUTTINGS OF PICEA PUNGENS ‘GLAUCA GIOBOSA’

Author: Jens Pedersen

PP: 207

We have propagated this dwarf blue spruce from cuttings in cold frames in the shadehouse for the last few years with fairly good results. We take the cuttings about June 20th with a good heel, this is important. We do not strip the needles off. We put the cuttings in flats as we find this is an easy way to move them. It takes 18 months to get a good root before transplanting by the first fall. We leave them in the cold frames for the winter and about June the following summer, we take them outside in the shadehouse. As our medium has very little nutrients, if any, we use some fertilizer at this time.

The following spring we plant them out in beds with 40% shade. Our medium is 50% sharp sand and 50% perlite or similar material. Be very careful not to over water. Our catch is about 65 to 75% and we use the same method for all dwarf spruce.

WINTER ROOTING OF EVERGREEN CUTTNGS IN COLD FRAMES

Author: Peter R. Nielsen

PP: 208

This method, may not be considered too unusual and it is definitely not a new method but being such a simple and inexpensive method, it may prove to be of some interest to certain propagators attending this meeting.

My Dad first saw it used a few years ago here in Lake County, Ohio and thought then that it would be an ideal system for us. Not having a propagation house and being financially unable to construct one and running a business which included landscaping and the operation of a Garden Centre as well as regular nursery operations, time was always short, good help was always scarce and money even scarcer. Thus we decided this would be an ideal method for us to adopt.

The evergreen cuttings were taken and made in the winter as soon as we were able to get at it, which was usually in late February. When we had made enough cuttings to fill three or four frames, we would set, the frames up out in the shadehouse right on the frozen ground. (This really made them cold frames). Sand was put

CORYLUS AND CORNUS FROM CUTTINGS

Author: Joerg Leiss

PP: 209

This paper represents some of the trials conducted at Sheridan Nurseries over the last two years, 1964 and 1965. The trials were to find a way to root such plants from cuttings which were previously propagated by all other means but cuttings. It was our thinking that for instance if a layer would root why not a cutting, which would be much quicker made and also give a much greater yield per plant and Would do away with large stool blocks. On grafting, the raising of understocks and subsequent sucker growth from this understock could be eliminated.

Corylus maxima atropurpurea was our first trial and in 1964 100 4–6 inch tip cuttings were made after the first flush of growth had hardened. This would be in the middle of July in our region. Half the cuttings were treated with Seradix #2, the other half with Seradix 3# (Seradix is both in content and formulation similar to Hormodin).

The cuttings were placed in a greenhouse bench under intermittent mist controlled by time

PLANT PROPAGATORS' QUESTION BOX

Author: Gerald H. Verkade

PP: 212

The Friday evening session convened at 8:00 p.m. in the Cleveland Room. Mr. Gerald Verkade was moderator.

MODERATOR VERKADE: Have any growers rooted directly in the new plastic flats or cube flats in which individual plastic pots are formed into a single flat? Also, after rooting and hardening off, have the liners been put into the field?

PETER VERMEULEN: This is getting to be a rather common process as we discussed here at the mist symposium. There are quite a few people, comparatively speaking, rooting directly in the pot and then going directly to the field. We've done quite a bit of this I'm sure others have, too. There is no particular disadvantage or difference in going from the pot to the field with a plant whether it be potted in the pot subsequent to rooting or rooted directly in a pot. I don't quite understand the question.

ANDREW ADAM: What I was trying to get across are these new cube-type trays which are being used for rooting of a plant or liner under the mist, hardened off

INTRODUCTION

Author: James S. Wells

PP: 229

In preparation for this meeting I spent a few quiet evenings, last month, reading through the Proceedings of the meeting in Rochester. I did this, of course, with particular interest because, unfortunately, I was not able to attend. But I do this every year and what never ceases to amaze me is the mass of information which is poured forth at these meetings. As one contemplates the whole picture, it is surely clear that the work of the plant propagator has become a science as well as an art, and in the operations of our Society we see a unique blending of these two facets of human behavior.

As I read, I was collecting my thoughts for this introduction and I believe that one of the most clear aspects which comes to the top of this mass of information is the greatly increased efficiency in propagating techniques which we have acquired over the past twenty years, especially in the propagation of a much wider range of plants, from cuttings.

I was thinking back to the training which I

TIMING AND ITS RELATION TO CUTTING SELECTION

Author: Merton Congdon

PP: 230

I feel most fortunate in having the subject of "Timing" assigned to me because I believe in the past I have devoted as much to timing as to any other problem in propagation. Certainly, we have led off this discussion with the proper topic. If we do not select our cuttings at the right time there is not much point in continuing the discussion because we are not going to have any cuttings to discuss, at least in the more difficult subjects. In the easier subjects we are going to be laboring under unnecessary difficulties.

I should tell you that my experience is limited mostly to a wide range of deciduous shrubs and a few of the easy broadleafs. Also, it is entirely to outside bed work either with conventional sash or intermittent mist. So you see when this discussion turns to such items as Evergreens, Rhododendrons and Azaleas or to elaborate glass-house installation, I am entirely out of my realm. My observations, however, are that a lot of effort has been put into elaborate

POSITION IN CUTTING SELECTION

Author: Richard H. Fillmore

PP: 232

The position of the cutting in relation to the entire plant is always a consideration in the successful rooting of cuttings. This position may not only affect their potential ability to root but also the configuration and stature of the resulting plants.

Terminal tip cuttings are necessary for the development of properly shaped plants of certain clones of Taxus spp. In other instances, such as Thuja spp., where apical dominance is apparently equally pronounced, normally shaped plants may arise regardless of the position from which cuttings are taken and cuttings from all positions may root with equal ease.

Success in rooting Ulmus carpinifolia cult. "Christine Buisman" is apparently almost absolutely dependent on the position from which the cuttings are taken.

If root cuttings are made in spring at almost the time when Norway maple blooms in the same area, they will form both roots and shoots concurrently. There will generally be several shoots per root cutting. If these shoots are

ROLE OF STOCK PLANT NUTRITION ON ROOTING RESPONSE OF CUTTINGS

Author: James D. Kelley

PP: 233

As we have just heard, many factors influence the rooting response of cuttings. Today, considerable evidence indicates that the nutrition of the stock plants exerts a strong influence on root initiation and development. This is particularly true in the case of nitrogen, and more recent findings indicate that zinc and boron also may play a role in rooting.

Kraus and Kraybill (8) as early as 1918 demonstrated the effect of the carbohydrate-nitrogen ratio on rooting of tomatoes. Cuttings high in carbohydrates but low in nitrogen produced many roots but weak shoots, whereas those high in carbohydrates and higher in nitrogen produced fewer roots but stronger shoots. Cuttings made from succulent stems, very low in carbohydrates but high in nitrogen, all decayed without producing shoots or roots. Subsequent experiments by others have shown that a high ratio of carbohydrates to nitrogen favor rooting (3, 13, 15) in tomatoes and grapes.

Winkler (19) showed that grape cuttings highest in

MIST PROPAGATION PROBLEMS

Author: James S. Wells

PP: 74

Back in 1947, when we commenced to use mist, one of the aspects which immediately became apparent was the absence of problems, particularly problems which we had anticipated. By this, I mean that we first thought that the regular application of relatively large quantities of water would produce a great deal of rotting and fungus troubles of all kinds. But this was not the case. In fact, one of the most striking features of mist propagation is the comparative absence of these problems as compared with more orthodox methods of propagation. But as time went on, we found that a mist system did have its drawbacks, although in many instances they were quite different from those to which we had become accustomed.
WEATHER AS IT CONCERNS THE PRACTICE OF CUTTING SELECTION

Author: Alfred J. Fordham

PP: 235

Although the literature abounds with information regarding cuttings, few references are directly concerned with the relationship of weather to cutting selection and these are usually generalized or sketchy. Weather and the seasons, or timing, are difficult to separate in this context and many of the references give approximate dates with qualifying remarks such as, "depending on the season", or, "varying with the weather".

Two references dealing with the collection of lilac cuttings recommend that cutting wood be taken when the blooms first begin to open (1), and just as the terminal buds are formed (2). The dependence of these development stages upon the weather is shown by the lilac flowering dates at the Arnold Arboretum which reveal that propagators in the Boston area, using these stages as guides, would find variance up to three weeks in different years depending on the weather.

Bos (3) observed that warm days in early spring led to a start in growth on his stock plants of

AUTOMATION AND/OR MECHANIZATION IN PROPAGATION NEW TOOLS, PRACTICES AND TECHNIQUES

Author: John B. Hill

PP: 241

I believe that I can sum this up rather quickly by saying that the consensus indicated at the conclusion of our round table was that actually there were precious few new tools, new in the strict sense of the word. The solution to our problems lay not so much in sitting back and waiting for a latter day Cyrus McCormick to develop f or us sophisticated complicated equipment to aid us in propagation or field culture, but rather to adopt the equipment we do have to do the best possible job. I define a machine as any tool we use — very simple tools such as knife or a relatively complicated piece of machinery such as the device for measuring the average CO2 content of the air in a propagation house as we saw at Wooster. I'm not sure that as practical propagators we need be concerned nearly so much with the acquisition of complicated sophisticated equipment as we do better utilization of the tools we already possess. A very quick study of the understandable desires and needs to mechanize
WEED CONTROL IN POTTING SOILS, SEED FLATS, BEDS, AND FRAMES

Author: Robert C. DeWilde, Frederick O. Lanphear

PP: 243

Today each nurseryman realizes the economic importance of developing a weed control program for potting soils, seed flats, beds, fields, and frames. Properly executed control programs will reduce production costs, improve quality, as well as increase the number of saleable plants per acre. We apply the epithet "weed" to those unwanted plants which compete with our ornamental plants for water and nutrition.

Essentially there are three ways of controlling weeds:

  1. Mechanical Control achieved by the use of tools from cultivators, rototillers, flame throwers, and compressed air through the expert use of the hand.
  2. Physical Control through the use of mulches or physical barriers which prevent weed growth.
  3. Selective Chemical weed control through the use of chemicals which kill specific weeds without injury to the ornamental crop.

With regard to physical control of weeds, this was the technique used to obtain three year weed control in container grown stock. A black plastic circular disc of

WINTER HARDINESS OF NEWLY POTTED AND CONTAINER MATERIAL, PREPARATION FOR AND PROTECTION IN STORAGE

Author: Harrison L. Flint, Ralph Shugert

PP: 247

Concern for winter hardiness of plant material is shared by all of us in the temperate zone, even though we may be concerned with different degrees of hardiness and different plants. Hardiness is certainly enough of a problem in a field production — but it's even more serious in overwintering young pot-grown plants.

With this introduction, discussion commenced:

Several overwintering problems with specific plants were brought up. It was pointed out that failure to overwinter Cornus elegantissima, so-called, has been observed, apparently because of too much cold in some cases and too little cold for breaking dormancy in others. Hardening of young plants is accomplished by some growers by withholding water. The need for a considerable exposure to temperatures around 40°F. or below for breaking internal dormancy was reviewed.

A variety of methods have been used by members of the group for storing young propagated stock:

Pit storage has been used successfully at the University of Rhode

ROOTING CHEMICALS, LIOUID VS. POWDER, USE, ETC. AND ROOTING MEDIA, NATURAL, ARTIFICIAL, ADDITIVES, ETC.

Author: William Flemer III, James D. Kelley

PP: 249

Various methods of hormone application used were tabulated as follows:
     Soak Treatment — 11 participants
     Quick Dip — 9 participants
     Talc Treatment — 24 participants
     Soak Treatment — Reports of 18 hour soak, cuttings were bundled with rubber bands during soaking in idolebutyric acid solutions. Such solutions were usuable for two days before discarding was necessary.

Hormones in general were not found to be useful for improving rooting of hard wood cuttings. There were two exceptions reported in which deciduous hard wood cuttings of Berberis thunbergi Crimson Pygmy in which hormone soak in IBA greatly increased rooting percentages. A Dutch paper was also cited which indicated that Laburnum vossi hard wood cuttings rooted better with hormone treatments.

David Leach observed that: "Theoretically the activity of any hormone should double with every 10°C temperature increase but this does not appear to be strictly so." Comments from the floor bore out this contention of increased

SELECTION, TESTING AND INTRODUCTION OF NEW PLANTS AND TEST GARDENS AND ARBORETA AS THEY RELATE TO PLANT PROPAGATION

Author: David B. Paterson, Oliver D. Diller

PP: 251

The moderator started off by briefly describing the joint Longwood Gardens—USDA Plant Exploration Program which has sponsored 8 expeditions since 1956 and is planning one to Korea in 1966.

The word "new" as applied to plants was re-defined to include not only new-born (for example brand new hybrids or selections) but plants that are new to a particular area, for example, Azaleas are now being grown in St. Louis where it was said it couldn't be done. They are new plants.

The New Crops Program at the University of Minnesota Arboretum has been testing potential ornamentals for about ten years and about 150 introductions have been made. Many of these are examples of little known plants that have been buried in collections for years and are now available to the nursery trade. In Minnesota there has been a fine relationship between University and nurserymen. The nurserymen help support to research section. A seven man committee meets twice a year with the University Arboretum staff and

THE PHYSIOLOGY OF GRAFTING

Author: Dale E. Kester

PP: 261

The art of grafting two plants together is probably as old as civilization. Our ancestors undoubtedly learned it after observing natural grafts in the tops or roots of forest trees and vines. The basic reason for grafting is to propagate clones which do not readily produce adventitious roots on cuttings. It is also important as a means of changing plant form or to take advantage of special rootstocks and interstocks.
METHODS OF TEACHING GRAFTING

Author: O.A. Jolly Batcheller

PP: 273

The theory of grafting and budding is easily learned. The conditions and after-care also present no problem, but to teach individuals the actual skill and manipulative practice of budding and grafting is more difficult. It is to this matter I am going to direct my presentation.

Our senses which help us learn: sight, hearing, and touch, are perhaps the most important in this experience because the actual material we are working with is so small that class demonstration does not have the desired effect and can actually detract from the presentation, unless accompanied with larger models. If the students cannot see what is actually being done, they may get the wrong impression or lose interest and be distracted.

The use of the blackboard is helpful, but not always do our drawings appear to others as they do to us. The use of colored chalk improves this, but still this is a two-dimensional presentation while the actual material is three-dimensional.

I have found that after a preliminary

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT USED IN GRAFTING AND BUDDING

Author: Curtis J. Alley

PP: 275

Grafting Materials

Rubber budding strips of various sizes are used for grafting. Exposed to air this material loses it elasticity and will fall off. Below ground there is no change so the strip must be cut after a period or it will girdle the graft union.

Raffia is used particularly with bench grafts of grapevines. This material is very good in that it rots in the soil. However, the material must be kept moist prior to planting. If allowed to dry it becomes loose and untied.

Medium to heavy cotton string is frequently used in field grafting. When covered with soil this material disintegrates in two to three weeks. If used in the air then it must be cut.

There are the various types of tapes that are used for grafting. Cloth nurseryman's tape has adhesive on one side. It is commonly used for whip grafting. This item is becoming more difficult to find. The cloth tape will deteriorate in the soil.

GRAFTING OF SELECTED ORNAMENTALS

Author: Don Sexton

PP: 278

Many desirable ornamental plants are propagated by grafting. This is necessary because of seedling variation and the fact that cuttings of certain plants are difficult to root in high percentages under available conditions. In other cases, cutting-grown plants are very slow or weak-growing.

Fruit trees and certain shrubs, including junipers, have long been propagated commercially by grafting and budding. Fifteen or twenty years ago we grafted about 20,000 junipers each year at Monrovia Nursery Company. Now we are producing at least 200,000 grafted plants each year and the amount is still growing. The demand for grafted junipers has increased, particularly for forms of J. scopulorum, so that we grew 90,000 grafted junipers last year. Also, in recent years, grafting of ornamental trees has become a common practice.

Grafted plants, of course, can offer many advantages. When the scion and stock are compatible and a good union is made, rapid and vigorous growth can be expected,

THE INFLUENCE OF INTERMITTENT MIST ON THE MINERAL NUTRIENT CONTENT OF CUTTINGS DURING PROPAGATION

Author: G.L Good, H.B. Tukey Jr

PP: 78

INTRODUCTION

Foliar leaching is the removal of metabolites from plant parts by aqueous solutions, (Tukey, 1962). Leaching has been shown to be of importance in plant nutrition, in the distribution and recycling of nutrients in an ecosystem, and in the quality of certain food crops. It has also been shown that many factors may affect the leaching of nutrients. For instance, the age and the maturity of the plant tissue can influence the amount of leaching which occurs from plant tissue. Young, actively growing plants tissue is difficult to leach, whereas, more mature tissue is relatively easy to leach.

There are reports by various workers that cuttings propagated under mist undergo extensive losses of nutrients during the rooting period (See Good and Tukey, 1964). Since a large of number of ornamental plants are commercially propagated under mist, it was of interest to survey cuttings from a wide range of ornamental plants to determine extent of nutrient leaching.

GRAFTING OF WALNUTS

Author: David L. Graves

PP: 281

In my talk the emphasis will be on our commercial method of grafting walnuts by use of the whip, or tongue, graft. Success with this method of grafting is dependent on a number of factors, all of which must be coordinated. They are: —
  1. Healthy seedlings of sufficient size.
  2. Preparation of seedlings prior to grafting.
  3. Good graft wood.
  4. Proper tools and materials.
  5. Proper time for the grafting.
  6. A good job of the actual grafting, and
  7. Careful follow-up.

I shall later use some slides to show in more detail the above operations and the results obtained.

It is sometimes necessary to mention brand names in order to describe as completely as possible the tools and grafting techniques. However, we are not endorsing or recommending any particular brands as we recognize many others are comparable in quality and as satisfactory as those we use.

The seedlings that we graft in our nursery field are one year old trees. Under proper care these seedlings will have reached a height of 4 to 7 feet and have a caliper of ½

PLANT GROWTH MADE TO MEASURE

Author: Peter J. Lert

PP: 297

Historically, man has always shown much interest in tailoring the growth of plants to his economical and aesthetic needs. All of our cultural measures, to some extent, involve tailoring plant growth — even if this only means the growing of larger and more vigorous plants. However, most people think in terms of regulating plant height when we talk about tailoring plants to measure.

At our meeting at San Dimas, California, in 1962, Dr. Harry Kohl presented a paper in which he pointed out that a variety of factors independently and interacting can influence plant height. These include genetic changes, clonal selection, pruning of tops or roots, light, temperature and moisture. But in this modern age of scientific marvels, people are less interested in some of these very effective but "old hat" ideas than in the use of chemical plant growth regulators.

While many chemicals may alter plant growth, including fertilizers, herbicides, auxins and kinins, it seems well to restrict today's

CARBON DIOXIDE FERTILIZATION

Author: Harry C. Kohl Jr

PP: 300

The idea of carbon dioxide fertilization is not a new one. In 1913 the first attempt at commercial application was reported from Europe and for some 20 years thereafter a fairly large amount of work was reported in this field. However, the practice was not adopted most probably because of the presence of injurious contaminants in the carbon dioxide used although lack of good control was also a problem and the limitations on its use were not understood.

In the mid 1950's the practice was revived largely because of the findings of Goldsberry at Colorado State University with carnations and has remained as a controversial, ill-understood practice since that time. A summary of a carbon dioxide survey made by Kennard Nelson in 1964 indicated that 1,478,600 sq. ft. under glass, almost all of which was in the northern tier of states, was receiving some added carbon dioxide. In the same summary a brief report of research work on flower crops by workers at six universities indicated mixed

CHEMICAL PRE-EMERGENCE WEED CONTROL IN WESTERN WASHINGTON

Author: Arthur S. Myhre

PP: 306

The need for weed control in ornamental nursery plantings is without doubt one of the major problems which confront nurserymen in western Washington. Our moderately cool summer temperatures and abundant moisture cause weeds such as pigweed, lambsquarter, chickweed, smartweed, groundsel annual blue grass, horsetail, quackgrass, etc. to grow and spread with much rapidity. These weeds are commonly found here and are widespread in their distribution.

Extensive weed control research investigations involving the testing of chemical herbicides on different kinds of species and varieties of ornamental shrubs have been underway for nine years at the Western Washington Research and Extension Center, Puyallup, Washington. Cooperating on this project is Dwight V. Peabody, Jr., Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Unit, Mount Vernon, Washington. Our weed control studies have been designed especially for nurserymen. The procedure for testing pre-emergence herbicides is as follows:

NATIVE CALIFORNIA PLANTS OF COMMERCIAL VALUE

Author: Percy C. Everett

PP: 309

I am not quite sure how the title of my discussion fits into a "symposium on propagation by seeds and spores" as it will deal in only a minor way with the role of seeds in the production of commercially valuable native plants and certainly not at all with spores. Further, I am not altogether sure a discussion of the salable qualities of a plant is proper when our main concern is with the various means whereby we can produce by the most economical procedures.

And I am not at all certain that I am the one to carry on this discussion. A "dyed-in-the-wool" enthusiast by nature, I am often accused by some of my close friends of gross exaggerations known as "Everettisms"! Be that as it may, I shall endeavor to look at the subject with a critical eye.

One has only to peruse the literature as far back as the early years of the 19th century to gain an understanding of the role the native plant of California has played in the worldwide field of horticulture. Especially is this true in the European and

METHODS OF SEED COLLECTING

Author: Eugene Baciu

PP: 314

There are many ways to get started in the seed harvesting business. In 1952, I was gathering dry materials for the florist trade, and one day on the way to the disposal area a nurseryman stopped me and asked what I was doing with the load of Strelitzia nicolai podds. He was informed that the color was not suitable for the florist trade and the pods had to be discarded. His reply was that the nursery growers "could surely use the seeds in those pods." So the pods were returned home, the seeds extracted, and a trip to Los Angeles was made. I received .02 cent each for the seed and a list of different shrub and tree seeds that were in demand. Now all that was necessary was to match the odd Latin names to the trees, so you can imagine what a time one would have, not knowing one plant from another. After much misinformation, many mistakes and much time studying, the list was ready to go out to the growers. The first years were spent in supplying seed brokers.

There are many problems that

MODERN PROPAGATION OF FERNS

Author: David J. Roberts

PP: 317

Two decades ago, commercial fern sporing firms in the West were generally small, "hit and miss" operations with insufficient scientific knowledge and capitalization to insure consistent production in an expanding market. Today, increasing availability of new insecticides and fungicides, as well as ample help from State Universities, County Agricultural Offices, and private soil laboratories, contribute much to our knowledge and efficiency.

With all this help at our back those of us in the trade still have our everyday problems in this devious art of artificially encouraging sporogenesis. It is through exchanges of information such as we are participating in today, that difficulties will be alleviated or resolved.

To begin let us review and discuss some of the mysteries about ferns that botanists have unfolded for us.

LIGHT AND TEMPERATURE TRIALS WITH SEEDLINGS AND CUTTINGS OF RHODODENDRON MOLLE

Author: J.H. Crossley

PP: 327

Plant propagators are always searching for ways to reduce the growing period of seedlings and rooted cuttings. This paper deals with only two factors, supplemental light and temperature, as aids to growth stimulation, marketable size and flower initiation of Rhododendron molle.

Stimulation of shoot growth bv supplementary lighting of Rhododendron molle was reported in 1960 and 1963 by Weiser and Blaney (1, 2), by Spicer (4) and in 1964 by Goddard (3). Stimulation of seedlings of rhododendron (R. catawbiense), azalea (R. japonicum × R. molle) and their hybrids with supplementary illumination was reported in 1955 by Doorenbos (5). Weiser and Blaney showed that shoot growth of several clones was greatly stimulated by supplementary low-intensity fluorescent light (150 f.c.) between dusk and dawn. They also reported stimulated growth with prolonged illumination at light intensities of 35 to 50 f.c. and by incandescent light. They experimented with deciduous azaleas under

PROPAGATING APPLE ROOTSTOCKS BY THE METHOD OF CONTINUOUS LAYERING

Author: Gottlob (Rudy) Wagner

PP: 334

The increasing use of vegetatively propagated rootstocks in our fruit tree nursery, in search for better rooted liners and for a constant source of supplies, made us decide in 1962 to grow some of our own rootstocks. As clonal rootstocks cannot be reproduced true-to-type from seed, we must therefore resort to asexual methods of propagating. The methods used for propagating clonal rootstocks commercially is either by mound layering or by continuous layering, but mound layering seems to have the preference by many propagators. I think the reason for this is the lower cost in establishing the stool beds. But we must not count out other methods such as hardwood cuttings, root cuttings and softwood cuttings. All these will eventually be as important commercially as the layering methods. In either case a fertile, well-drained, soil should be used in establishing the stooling or layering beds. Before planting we apply the following fertilizers: (actual per acre) 320 lbs. nitrogen, 320 lbs. phosphate
PROPAGATION OF CUTTINGS UNDER NUTRIENT MIST

Author: John A. Wott, H.B. Tukey Jr

PP: 86

Introduction

Main workers have reported that mineral nutrients can be leached from cuttings propagated under mist with the subsequent development of nutrient deficiency symptoms (Ang 1958, Evans 1951, Good and Tukey 1964, Sweet and Carlson 1955, Tukey 1962). Losses by leaching are related to the maturity of the cutting, being greatest for hardwood cuttings and much less for softwood and herbaceous cuttings.

Nutrient deficiencies in cuttings rooted under mist are due to a) leaching of nutrients and b) growth of the cuttings during rooting causing a dilution of the nutrients within the cuttings (Good and Tukey 1964, 1965). In either case it would seem that nutrients added to the cuttings during propagation might be of benefit.

Since it is well known that a broad spectrum of material can be absorbed by stems and foliage (Wittwer and Teubner 1959), application of nutrients through the mist would be an appropriate procedure. Thus Morton and Boodley (1962) observed that poinsettia and chrysanthemum

PROPAGATION OF DIFFICULT PLANTS

Author: Jean Whalley

PP: 338

I will remind you of some rules to follow in dealing with hard-to-root plants.

First — Study your subject. It may take several years of observation before you know the peculiarities of the plant in question. (Unless you are lucky enough to hear about it at a Plant Propagators' Society Meeting, that is.) The parent plant may need to have special care, perhaps more or less water than most, more or less fertilizer, shade or sun.

We have trouble in the Northwest in rooting Juniperus torulosa (Hollywood Juniper.) It seems the only way we can get it to root is by putting it in and after it has callused, take it out, remove the callus, redip with hormone, after which it roots quite well. Of course, this is not very practical. I've been told that cuttings which are very small and soft Will root readily, but ours merely rotted. Bruce Briggs told me he had had the very same trouble, but when he took cuttings from some plants he got from California they rooted "like crazy". I believe this means the

PROPAGATION OF XYLOSMA CONGESTUM

Author: Ed Kubo

PP: 340

Defoliation of Xylosma congestum during the rooting and liner stage is of great concern to most propagators. Defoliated Xylosma. cuttings or liners, regardless of rooting, will not grow.

We, at Oki Nursery, have tried to determine how to prevent defoliation. Hormone applications of different concentrations have been used — for example, 650 ppm to 10,000 ppm of indolebutyric acid. We have tried interval misting and no misting, and collecting cuttings from new and old wood at different times of the year. Different ingredients for liner soil mix, rooting medium and variable temperatures and humidity have also been tried.

For the present time, with our experience, we have come to the following conclusions:

Time of Taking Cuttings: We have found that the time of year cuttings are taken has a great effect on the amount of foliage drop. In our area we have found the best time to take cuttings is from August through the middle of October.

Type of Wood: The first and second cuttings, below

PROGRESS REPORT ON THE ROOTING OF JAPANESE MAPLES

Author: Bruce A. Briggs

PP: 343

We will attempt, with the aid of some colored slides, to cover the highlights of our experience during the last eight years or so on the rooting of the many forms of palmatum maples.

Soil Mixes: Our first work was with the same mix used for Rhododendron cuttings, 50% each of sand and peat. The rooting was good, but we had trouble hardening them off for winter. We then tried many other soil mixes, such as saw dust, charcoal, pumice and perlite, looking for one which would give good drainage when the cuttings are set outside for the winter.

Perlite offered many advantages such as drainage, sterility, lightness, and obtainability. However, with perlite alone, the maples failed to root. This was also true with Rhus cotinus ‘Royal Purple’ cuttings tried the same year. This year we did root Rhus cotinus, R.P., cuttings in perlite alone, but under heavy mist.

At the present time, we prefer a mixture of some 40 to 50% peat and Sponge Rok, #3 medium. This mix gives lots of air and drainage.

"LIARS" FORUM

Author: William J. Curtis

PP: 345

Moderator Curtis: To start with, we have a gentleman here that specializes in miniature roses. He is going to tell us something. Ralph Moore: MR. RALPH MOORE: There is one thing we have learned that we feel could be applied not only to roses but to a great many other plants in hastening rooting. In producing these cuttings we use a budded cane; that is, we take an understock and we will place a bud onto about 15 or 16 inches of stem; put several buds on the stem spaced at this distance and then cut them apart. After the cutting is made, we leave about two eyes above and de-eye everything below the bud we inserted, then we put it under mist. Well, the problem has been to root these budded cuttings. It has been known for a long time that wounding will help root cuttings; this has been used lots of times with evergreen, rhododendrons, etc. We knew that if we could get a wound, scratch, or something on the cuttings we would induce
PHOTOPERIODIC TREATMENT AND ITS INFLUENCE ON ROOTING AND SURVIVAL OF CUTTINGS "LIGHTING UNDER MIST"

Author: Sidney Waxman

PP: 94

My talk will be confined to the use of light given during the night for the purpose of extending the daylength to which the cuttings are exposed. As you know, many trees and shrubs that are given long days will not become dormant in late summer or fall, as they normally do, but will continue to grow for an extended period of time. This can be accomplished by illuminating the cuttings every night until they have rooted.

A sufficient amount of light to obtain a photoperiodic response can be obtained by placing 75-watt bulbs with reflectors three feet apart and three feet above the cuttings.

The light intensity should be no lower than 30 foot candles and the temperature no lower than 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The lights do not have to be operated continuously, but may be flashed on for five seconds every five minutes throughout the night.

During a 14 hour night, for example, an accumulation of only 14 minutes of light would be expended by flash lighting intermittently. A discussion on flash lighting

ROOTING-GROWING MEDIA

Author: J. Peter Vermeulen

PP: 97

By no stretch of the imagination should I be considered an authority on rooting-growing media. At our nursery we are keenly interested and rather heavily engaged in the commercial aspect of the propagation technique of rooting cuttings in a rooting-growing medium in containers. My comments therefore may be useful to others. This is perhaps what Dr. Hess had in mind when he asked me to participate. Having asked him to arrange and moderate this wonderful symposium, how could I refuse.

I imagine it safe to say that from the time he stuck his first cutting, man has been concerned with the medium. Through the ensuing years, as he gradually became more sophisticated in his knowledge of the art and craft of plant propagation, there developed a long list of media that have been tried and tested, accepted and rejected and sometimes tried again. Most often mentioned in recent literature are: soil, sand (variously referred to as brick, concrete, plaster, bank, pit, silica, torpedo, etc.), peat-moss

MIST SYMPOSIUM DISCUSSION

Author:

PP: 104

DR. HESS: Jim, at what time do you start the hardening off process?

JIM WELLS: It's impossible to answer precisely; this is where common sense comes into the picture. I do believe that most cuttings are improved by a gradual reduction in misting as rooting develops. I think that you need to have a small bunch of roots on the bottom of the cuttings, 6–10 roots possibly, an inch or more in length beginning to become attached to the rooting medium. That is the cutting is beginning to establish itself again as an individual. About this time I think that a modest reduction in mist application is adopted. And the [reduction] needs to be slowly increased in amount as the plant develops over a period of 2 or 3 weeks.

Now the difficulty in doing this lies particularly with the type of control such as a timer. It requires an on the spot interpretation of conditions by someone and this is almost impossible. Here is a real value of the electronic leaf control. One of the simple, very nice things which