Propagators & Potting Trays

The key to propagation is to maintain a warm and damp environment for your seeds and cuttings to grow in. Maintaining a constant, warm temperature allows gardening to continue during the winter months when the weather is generally too cold for young plants to survive. Plants produced in trays have undisturbed roots, so therefore stand a better chance of developing into sturdy plantlets. Plants that can be propagated from stem cuttings include geraniums, fuchsias, chrysanthemums and several shrubs. In addition to using one of Stewarts’ electric propagator products, our top tips for successful propagation, year on year, are as follows:

1. Ensure that you always ‘harden off’ seedlings and cuttings before transferring them to the garden by gradually introducing them to sun exposure. When growing in potting trays, young plants are protected, and this makes them fragile when exposed to sunlight or strong winds. Hardening them off first toughens them up, making the transition to plantation in the garden much easier. Until seedlings can stay outside all day without burning or wilting, they are not ready for transplanting.
2. Cut stem-tip cuttings below a leaf joint and remove the bottom leaves. Dip the cutting into a hormone rooting powder, and then push it around the edge of a pot filled with a seed and cutting compost. Ensure that the cutting stays warm and moist.
3. Keep notes to remind yourself of when seeds or cuttings should be planted. For instance, tomato and pepper seeds need to be planted 6-8 weeks before the last spring frost.
4. Divide perennial plants that have spread outwards into smaller sections and re-plant them, so that each individual plant has its own space.
5. Keep records to monitor the progress of the young plants throughout the seasons. Take note of the following:

• how your planted seedlings responded to the weather conditions when transported outside
• when the first shoots of your perennial flowers emerged and were ready to be divided
• when you took your stem cuttings
• when your seed pods matured and were ready to harvest for next year’s crop