Proceedings Library

The vegetative parts of a seed-producing plant are the roots, stems and leaves. Each of these organs is composed of tissues and the tissues of cells. Some of these cells have become specialized, however others have remained almost unchanged since the time they were formed. Such unspecialized cells are called parenchyma. It is these relatively unspecialized cells which are important in the development of roots on stem cuttings.

Growth in plants is said to be primary or secondary. Growth resulting from cells formed by the growing points of stems and roots is primary growth and results in the elongation of the plant axis. Secondary growth results in an increase in diameter of the stem or root. It is the formation of additional vascular tissue (the tissue through which water, minerals, food, hormones, etc are transported up and down the stem) by the cambium and of the bark as

Generally speaking material propagated in this way is much tougher than the same plant produced in a heavily shaded greenhouse or under double glass with heavy shading. However, in many cases the plants are not sufficiently mature or tough enough to with stand the severe changes of winter weather. This is especially true in Wayne, New Jersey which according to the chart is part of Zone #6 but really belongs to Zone #5.

We propagate a wide variety of material during the summer in open mist beds and some Rhododendron hybrids in the greenhouse. The first year that we tried the open mist on a commercial scale the question came up, what do we do with these plants for the winter. Many varieties had been tested experimentally for a few years but there were several untested groups. From past experience we knew that the

With annual increases in general operational costs, labor, materials, and all taxations on local, state and national levels, this urgent need is becoming more significant for business survival.

Systems and mechanization is an integral part of the U.C. System along with the general practices as Outlined in Manual 23. Some of the important factors in integrating systems and mechanization are:

1. Type of crop
2. Size of operation
3. Geographical location and climate
4. Existing facilities
5. Personnel acceptance

Oki Nursery's principal crop is standardized to containers of 1 gallon and 5 gallon size. Varieties range from tropical Hibiscus and philodendrons to general varieties such as junipers and many deciduous varieties.

I think that just before supper it might be nice to relax a little bit and take a quick tour through some of Europe, emphasizing, as much as possible, plant propagation. We will start in France.

We took the opportunity to see many of the famous sights in Paris, including those dealing with anatomy, but the real reason for coming to Paris was to visit the small town of Gif-sur-Yvette which is the site of the centre National de la Recherche Scientifique. One of our members, Dr. J. P. Nitsch, is assistant director of a phytotron located at the center. The phytotron is designed to study the effects of the environment upon plant

Our schedule during the past summer was as follows:

The per cent of cistena rooted in 1960 and 1961 was 80 and 65 per cent triloba rooted.

The greenhouse is equipped with air conditioning and humidification. The air conditioning allows us to use much more sunlight which I believe is important to success. The relative humidity is carried at 80 to 85 percent for the first 3 to 4 weeks and this contributes to success.

A mild solution of Indolebuteric acid is used as a soak. It is important to take cuttings at

One of the most important and bar reaching ingredients of progress is communication. Why even to retain the status quo, we must communicate and communicate well at that. Everything that

I went home to England this summer for the first time in 11 years and I didn't go to look at nurseries, I just went to relax I went to the Mat Penny Company in France to look at their misting system because I had heard such a lot about it. Harvey Templeton will know we have become a little disillusioned with the electronic leaf because of the problem of maintaining it in good order. We are using a time clock and have been so for a number of years.

I must own that I was very impressed by the appearance of the Mat Penny equipment. It is in the back of the room. I will very briefly run through the points which they consider make it superior.

First of all, the jet which some of you may have seen is ruggedly constructed. It is of the Florida type, a baffle

It is an area of wholesale growing for America as well as production for their own locality. The coast of Oregon and Washington is quite rainy. It is an area where holly, rhododendron, and other broadleaf plants grow exceptionally well. There are some nurseries there which are making quite an effort to produce these in quantity, and I have found out that some rhododendrons which were being grown within 100 yards of the Pacific Ocean are shipped as far east as New York City Amazing but true.

In deciduous material, quite a bit of emphasis is put on fruit and shade trees in the interior valleys. In these areas water is limited, but they do

The late Prof Maney raised a number of seedlings from Juniperus chinensis var sargenta. Four plants were selected and named they are frequently called the Iowa Junipers, and they are the first four plants to be registered under the program instituted by the American Association of Nurserymen in 1947. Juniperus chinensis ‘Ames’ at 14 years old has a pyramid shape, being 4' wide at the base and tapering

Yet, despite the general acceptance of wounding in one form or another in old gardening journals, it is only recently that the method has been tested and applied in a scientific manner to the propagation of a wide range of plant materials.

In searching through the literature, I was not able to find many

Enkianthus cernuus rubens and E. perulatus are two subjects that have shown very poor winter survival. This slide shows 30 rooted cuttings of E. cernuus rubens which were left undisturbed before overwintering, all of them survived. Twenty-four cuttings of E. perulatus were treated similarly and of them 21

The disadvantage is that the graft does not make quite the growth as on potted stock.

To begin with, we ordered 500 transplanted Norway spruce about pencil thickness for early spring delivery. We like to graft as soon after the middle of March as the stock can be had, and start grafting right away, leaving the understock in the cool barn. Take out a bundle at the time, make it ready for grafting and put on a scion 1 year's growth when heavy enough; otherwise, a scion with two side branches. Cut on both sides. Last year we used rubber bands for tying, but they don't rot quickly enough so we are going to tie again with waxed cotton.

Our greenhouse bench is 45" wide and 13" deep and we heel in the grafts in about 8" of Canadian peat. Damp the peat just wet enough that by squeezing it hard, a couple of drops of water come out. We get

So then I decided to try something else and I saw the ads for Fiberglas and there is an agency in our town. I inquired where I could get it and they said Lord and Burnham, which is a leading greenhouse manufacturer. So I rang up a fellow I know there, who put up the greenhouse for me, and he said, "I won't put it in." In our climate the heavy snows breaks it down. Some of the people that advertise in

Budding and grafting involve the same principles, differing only in the number of growing points on the scion. In all cases, wounding occurs in the process. Healing may be attributed to the activity of the cambial layer in some species, phloem, xylem and ray parenchyma in others. The basic phenomena occurring during the reestablishment of buds and grafts will be discussed.

Roberts (1949) has thoroughly reviewed the literature as it related to the techniques and physiology of graftage. More recently, Rogers and Beakbane (1957) discussed stock and scion relations. Of the histological research reported most of it has been on fruit varieties.

In order to better understand

The outstanding characteristics of this method of patch budding is that a single blade knife are required. Another advantage of this method is its speed. Our budding crew was averaging 260 buds per man per 8 hour day, by the end of the season, and for most of them it was the first time to use this method. Some individuals who had done some of this type budding the year before were putting in 400 to 500 buds per 8 hour day. About half of the crew consisted of high school boys who had never done budding of any type. This method is fairly easy to teach, provided the student is reasonably adept at handling a knife.

We used this method of budding on Pecans, Japanese

It is only by the use of budwood stored from the previous year that we can gain a month over nature and start in May, an operation made possible by the use of refrigerated storage and the comparatively recent knowledge of how to use it successfully. The adoption of this method has brought with it several money saving improvements which are, first, that by being able to start four weeks earlier, the same number of budders are able to produce 25% more plants during the season,

I hardly think it necessary to delve at any length into the importance of the selection of suitable scionwood and to what extent it affects the Propagator's success in grafting. This has been emphasized in many previous papers presented to this society.

Selection of Scionwood should be from known plants whose performance in the past has been observed and found to have the most desirable characteristics of the species and varieties involved, and permanently labelled or charted to prevent errors. It is equally important to be sure that the wood to be used for grafting is kept free of insects and diseases. Weakened Scionwood is poor risk.

Maturity of Scionwood in respect to grafting, in most cases, has not been reached until it has been exposed to a period of near freezing temperatures. This process in nature can be duplicated by the use of refrigeration. This allows early collection where necessary, particularly where importation is desirable or extreme

Seed Dormancy is an all inclusive term indicating that seed will not germinate and produce seedlings due to unfavorable environmental or internal conditions (the inhibitory factors may be external, internal or a combination of both).

Quiescence relates to the fact that seed will not germinate and produce seedlings due to unfavorable external conditions. Contributing factors are moisture, temperature, oxygen, light, or others such as pH, nutrients, carbon dioxide, or toxic conditions. This can be overcome by simply supplying the contributing factors at optimum for germination.

Rest or Internal Dormancy describes the situation where seed will not germinate and produce seedlings due to unfavorable factors or conditions specific to the seed. These may be classified in the following eight areas. Seed coat,

There are several chemicals which may be used to overcome the seed coat or endosperm internal dormancy in the seed. There has been considerable work done using chemical such as sulfuric acid to breakdown the hard seed coat or endosperm. An acid resistant type of container such as wooden barrel or plastic or container is used. Usually the seed are placed in some type of basket that is acid resistant so the seeds may be lifted easily out of the chemical at the proper time.

Generally 95% sulphuric acid commercial grade 1.84

Those involved with seed germination realize the importance of seed age and

However, I've decided to present this talk by discussing the status of growth of the cutting at the time it's taken and how it may have some bearing on its ability to initiate roots.

Concerning the physiology of the cutting itself, the ideal situation for rapid root initiation would be one in which the following conditions exist:

1. The presence in the stem of young cells that can quickly be induced to become meristematic.

As you have heard from Bill Snyder's presentation, it is necessary that certain cells

There seems to have been little, if any, systematic breeding work done with Oaks. This is hardly surprising considering the generally slow growth rate of the trees. Propagation is slow if not difficult. Most of the hybrids and variants have arisen by change, and few seem to have been distributed beyond Botanical Gardens and other collections.

During a recent trip to

The oaks are divided into two groups, the white oak group and the black or red oak group. The white oak group is identified by the rounded outer, margins of the leaves, while the leaves in the black or red oak group have pointed margins. The two groups are also separated by the ripening of the acorns. Plants in the white oak group ripen the acorn in one year; those in the black or red oak group require two years to ripen The only known exception is Quercus agrifolia, (California Live Oak) , which, though belonging to

Hasty examination of earliest records finds that there is reference to the rooting of Juniperus chinensis by cuttage in the Orient and England during the 18th century. Very little is said of the actual technique and equipment employed, but the strong inference in these early reports indicate that even then the idea was considered neither novel or new.

For the benefit of those in this audience who have not yet encountered the problems typical of rooting the

In an effort to more clearly define the behavior of familiar as well as new introductions of woody ornamentals when planted in the North Central Region, several state ornamental specialists met under the leadership of Prof. S.A. McCrory at South Dakota State College, Brookings, South Dakota, in January 1954. This group organized a regional performance study program within the framework of a state-federal North Central Regional Plant Introduction, New Crops program. In the spring of 1954, the Regional Station began forwarding woody ornamental and shelter plants of mutual interest to cooperating personnel at 21 trial sites in eight states.

This work is recognized by the several participating state agricultural experiment stations of the North Central Region, the Regional Plant Introduction Station, Ames, Iowa, and the New Crops Research Branch, Crops Research Division of the Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, as necessary and contributing

If anything, the seed in the 20th Century has become more important, with some F₁ hybrid seed selling for over $1000 per ounce. Despite the cost of planning, development, processing, packaging and care, the modern day seed is still a better buy than it's predecessor, as rated by yield and returns.

Unlike most products sold today in easily observed plastic packages, the seed is "an unknown," "a picture or description in a catalog that should come to life," "the promise of a seed company." This built-in future, as developed by the great seed companies, needs all the protection and care possible so that the embryo may develop to its greatest potential. To assist us this evening in our discussion on Seeds In Their Role in Modern Propagation we have a well-known panel of experts:

Dr. Walter Lammerts, Horticulture

If, by practical value, we mean the germination of seed for routine growth of nursery stock, I might as well say right now that embryo culture has none. However, most larger nurseries by now realize the value of at least some plant selection as a means of improving their general line of nursery items and finding varieties better adapted to specific localities. The very fine work, is an outstanding example.

Also, many nurseries are realizing the need of breeding work involving actual cross pollination in order to combine desirable trait such as unusually lovely foliage with exceptional flower or fruit quality. Unfortunately, in many genera the percentage of germination obtainable by routine methods is rather low, varying from 10 per cent to 65 per cent. Also, and even more important, the really desirable combination of characteristics is often found in that percentage of seeds which do not germinate!

Finally, in most shrubs and trees such as the camellia, peach, nectarine

The first process in the propagation of conifers by seed is the collection of the cone containing the seed. Cones are collected mainly during the months of September and October. Collection may be from standing or felled trees, from the ground, or from squirrel caches.

Cones should be checked for seed maturity and seed quality before full scale picking. Various tests for determining maturity can be made: cone flotation, color of cone or seed, character of seed endosperm and embryo. Seed quality can be checked by cutting the cone and examining for blank or damaged seed.

The Pacific Southwest Forest & Range Experiment Station has delineated fourteen seed collection zones in California. All the area with a zone is considered to have the same climatic and edaphic conditions. Therefore, planting stock propagated from seed collected any place in the zone may be planted at any place within the zone and be considered as being planted into the same environment as that in which

The second development we have witnessed in recent years has been the discovery, starting in the 1940's, that rooting of leafy cuttings is greatly enhanced by keeping the leaves wet by means of mist sprays. This has greatly increased the scope of plant materials we are able to propagate by cuttings. Just why this is so will be explained by our first speaker, Dr. Hess. Following this, Peter Mordigan will

To increase the efficiency of our production program, we have emphasized careful planning of our production through the use of good record keeping Our annual production projection schedule plays an important part in determining the varieties and quantities to produce for the year. The Seeding schedule and Cutting schedule are used as a guide before executing production. Once in production a careful

The question may now be asked, if mist is really automated syringing, why is there such a difference in the results obtained with mist as compared to the standard double glass technique? Why is it, for example, that with Prunus serrulata 87% rooting is obtained in 32 days under mist where as only 37% is realized under double glass, or similarly with Cornus florida rubra, 96% rooting is obtained under mist compared with 22% under double glass?

To find the answers to these

Our operations is in the Sylmar area of the San Fernando valley in Southern California. It is an area 1160 ft. above sea level with extremes of 105° F to 29° F. windy from October to May, sunny days, 300 plus when there

In general, California native plants respond to attempts at cutting propagation under mist in much the same manner as do other plants. However, many species require better drainage, both in the rooting medium and after potting, than do most plants.

Several factors must be taken into account in this type of propagation. First, the condition of the stock plant from which the cuttings are to be taken must be considered. Rather soft, leafy cuttings with a firm or even

Here, in 1797, the 14th Mission of the ultimate 21 Mission chain, was established. It proved to be an ideal climatic location.

In the 1840's Captain Fremont, after exploring most of the West, selected Mission San Jose as the place for his future permanent home, "Casa Fremontia."

I quote a portion of a letter, now in the Bancroft Library, University of California, from Fremont, written at Mission of San Jose in September, 1846.

"This is a pretty place — this Mission. The gardens or orchards might be made handsome places, but to render them valuable, possession of the water which comes from a ravine in the hills is essential. A handsome plain of good lands extends from the hills towards San Francisco Bay and could be well watered."

I will add — he didn't get this land — but Fremont is a rightful name

When the preceding preparations have been made, our propagators start making their grafts. The cut for the graft is ½ to ¾ inches long at about a 30° angle. After the graft has been made, it is tied with a rubber band.

The grafted twigs are put back under mist. After making twig grafts, our propagators dip the plants into the fungicide again before "stumping&quot them. The cut on the base of the plants is made square,

Incoming water, either clear or fertilized, passes through Monarch, 100 mesh, strainer.

Agriculture, like the other industries, has followed suit. So have the nursery and floriculture industries as a segment of agriculture, but not as fast, and they are not as far advanced as many other industries.

The importance of automation to the nursery industry is well stated in the first paragraph in the first section of University of California Manual 23, "The UC System for Producing Healthy Container-Grown Plants," with which most nurserymen are very familiar. It read as follows

Obtain cuttings from selected, disease-free stock plants isolated from production areas.

Take cuttings from high up on the plants.

Break cuttings from stock plants where possible or disinfest tools between cuts.

Do not overhead irrigate stock plants.

Keep stock plants sprayed with protective fungicides to reduce the danger from infection by air-borne spores.

Eliminate weeds.

Control insects.

Keep all plant debris cleaned-up.

Do not dip cuttings in water, dust rooting hormones onto cut ends.

Treat all propagating and growing media with steam or

1. The preparation of the soil or planting media.
2. The planting of the seed and production of the seedlings.
3. The transplanting and care of the seedling to the marketing stage.

Everything must start with the soil, as this phase of our operation is very important. We use the University of California system of growing, in which we utilize a mixture of fine sand and peat plus the necessary fertilizer elements. All the elements of our soil mixture are loaded into a permanently-mounted, ready-mixed cement mixer. We have found this does an excellent job of mixing the soil. We have contrived a lid for the mixer, through which we inject live steam directly into the mixer. As the soil is tumbling within the mixer it is exposed to the steam which, we feel, gives us a thorough and reliable sterilization process. All soil mixed in the nursery goes through this sterilization process, by being brought to a

1. In 1955, cuttings were taken in the usual manner from flowering areas where no sanitary procedures were practiced. These cuttings were misted in steam sterilized sand; rooted cuttings were planted in steam-sterilized ground beds. Analysis at the end of 18 months of the blooming period showed that out of an original 125,000 plants planted, only 50% of the plants survived. The other 50% was lost to Fusarium stem rot, Fusarium wilt, and bacterial wilt of carnation. Reason for loss of plants: uncultured cuttings were planted into steam sterilized soil. A mass inoculation of harmful carnation pathogens into a soil which has lost its bacterial balance due to sterilization. Solution: Use of cuttings entirely from cultured mother-block plants. This resulted in the construction of a double-range, fan-padded glass house, with completely asphalted floor and raised benches housing 6,000 cultured mother-block plants.
2. in 1957, rooted cuttings from

I have been, and still am, primarily one of the larger bedding plant growers in this area. However, about two years ago with diversification in mind, we began the production of a limited variety of foliage plants. They are namely, pothos, grape ivy, other ivies, dracaenas, Chinese evergreen, palms, different varieties of philodendrons, varieties of ficus, and some dieffenbachias. Even before going into the foliage plant business, I had the opportunity of visiting many of the local growers on Farm Advisor tours and on

I will try and give you, step by step, the method I use for grafting Koster spruce, Cedrus atlantica glauca, copper beech, pink and variegated dogwood.

We either use Norway Spruce of pencil size or collected Sitka spruce. In November we get the understock and trim the roots so they will fit easily into a 3 or 4" pot without bunching. We

"Lavender Lady" is unique because of its ability to consistently produce line spikes of flowers year after year with an absolute minimum of winter chilling. Thus our nursery, with sales only in the local area, is primarily interested in this single variety, for many of the finest named varieties of lilacs that perform so well in the East and Middle West will never bloom in warm-wintered Southern California.

We have other hybrid lilacs with virtues similar to Lavender Lady under test at

After potting, they are bedded down on a greenhouse bench in damp peat moss to a level just over the top of the pot. This sub-merging in peat holds moisture for a long period of time an makes an ideal medium for producing a rapid, well developed root system. Greenhouse temperature should be 55–60 degrees F. top heat. I do not use bottom heat — just let them come along slowly. This seems to work best for me, as I don't want to force bud action too soon On February 1st, or shortly thereafter, depending on the winter, they will be ready for grafting. This is gauged by root action, and when the buds begin to break, I know they are ready for grafting.

I use a low side

The problem which we are attempting to overcome is that of defective nursery stock which is "pot-bound" or "root-bound.". Definitions my differ with individuals so let me suggest this: A "pot-bound" plant is it a plant which has remained in a pot until the roots have become constricted, usually circling the pot a number of times. The pot is usually 2 to 3 inches in diameter. A "root-bound" plant is one which has remained in any container until the natural root growth

If we could overcome juvenile characteristics in woody plants as quickly as possible, the breeders of tree fruits would be very happy.

First of all, I would like to go back and review some of the older materials that have been used as aids in transplanting.

In giving some thought to this paper, I reviewed all the back issues of our Society Proceedings, that are in my library. On the topic of Root Pruning there undoubtedly is a diversity of opinion. At our meeting in 1956, after Bill Flemer presented his paper on "Propagation of Sophora japonica, by Budding," he was asked by Mr. Carl Kern, "I understand that the roots of Sophora trees grow straight down, like the horseradish. If permitted to grow in the nursery, the main root will go three or four feet straight down. Therefore, root pruning is necessary" Bill's answer was, "It is true they have deep taproots. Our experience has been that we get better growth if we dig the Sophora as two-year-old trees and actually transplant them, than it we merely run a blade under them and leave them where they are. The same thing is true of

There is no area in which we might find a greater difference of opinion and a smaller amount of scientific knowledge. We all know of times when things survived well and times when damage was great, and yet we cannot definitely state what caused the difference in results.

There are some measures we can take, which over the years have become standard practice. These might be divided into what might be termed "cultural practices" — and the things we do which might be termed for want of a better term "mechanical pratices".

Two examples of important, less controllable factors are: (1) the relationship between the normal hardiness of a specific plant and the location in which it is being grown, and (2) those extended periods or severe changes of unseasonal weather that alter the seasonal maturing process.

Two examples of more or less controllable factors are these (1) one is the deliberate plan to locate the nursery within a desired area possessing the largest number of stabilizing factors such as suitable soil type, air drainage and nearness to large bodies of water. (2) Another is the planned reduction or cessation of those cultural practices that encourage vigorous and rapid vegetative growth.