PROPAGATION.

Hutt News, Volume 2, Issue 34, 30 January 1930, Page 9

PROPAGATION.

> The Fuchsia may be readily increased by. means of cuttings or by seeds. Large growers propagate, their cuttings in spring from old cut-back stock plants which are first brought into growth; and when the young shoots have reached a length of iwo or three inches they are taken off with a sharp knife close to the v old wood and inserted in, cutting pots of light sandy soil prepared in the usual manner. Af - ~ ter insertion they are well watered in and then plunged in a-hot bed, where they soon strike and become fit for potting off singly. Another, method, wMeh is'welL suited ,for small growers,, who have not, the means of providing a hotbe.d or sufficient heat, during the spiing months to keep the plants growing, vigorously, is to insert I>he points of growing shoots in January or February,, and striking these in a cold frame. Stock struck in this way must not be dried off duxing the winter, but should 'be kept in the greenhouse and given just sufficient water to_keep the leaves gr^en; these cuttings can be depended ' upon. to make good -plants for - the following year. ,

Seed raising is very interesting, for though a large proportion of. the seedlings will not be 'equal to those already in commerce, there is always a good chance of raising something dut of the eonimon, and seedling plants are usually excellent growers- The seeds maybe sown at any time in the spring, but the earlier they can be got in the better will be tie prospect of getting the p] ants £o flower the first yea?; it thus becomes advisable to sow in a heated house. Sow in pots or pans of light soil, using leaf-mould and-said freely in the mixture; water carefully, and afford shade' when "the \sun in shining brightly, as t»he young seedlings soon succumb to direct sunlight* When they have reached an inch or two in height, transplant them into otheT pans, .putting several in a pan,, as t-hey grow better •thus- than if potted off singly in tiny pots; later on they may be transplanted into four-iheh pots, and potted on frOm these as required.