Plant Tissue Culture PPT

Soil Temperatures are Warmer

In the Middle Atlantic States, soil temperatures are warmer on November 15th than they are on April 15th. This explains why trees, bulbs, and some perennials can establish healthy root systems even though the ambient air temperature may not feel like "the growing season."

The Soil Usually Isn't as Muddy

April showers result in muddier soils that stay muddy longer. Late summer and early fall rains usually don't result in muddy soil that lasts more that a few days. So, soil is easier to till in the fall... and, of course, your tiller is all warmed up if you used it for various spring and summer garden and lawn chores.

Planting Bulbs in the Fall

Spring-flowering bulbs, like Tulips, Daffodils, and Hyacinths must be planted in the fall. While some have had success with tulips and daffodils planted as late as Thanksgiving weekend, in certain areas of the county, it's recommended that you plant them earlier... at least 6 weeks before the ground is likely to start freezing.

You can plant bulbs in wide rows along walkways, in mass plantings around the foundation of your home, or in their own garden space in the middle of your lawn. Spring flowering bulbs can provide a dazzling display of color after a gray winter.

Fruit, Nut, and Ornamental Trees

Fall is an ideal time to plant fruit, nut, and ornamental trees. The warm soil temperature will enable them to establish a good root system prior to winter dormancy. As previously mentioned, the soil is usually easier to work in the fall. Planting fruit trees in the fall... vs. planting the next spring... will give you a head start on fruit production. You can purchase a wonderful variety of high quality bare-root fruit trees from the USA's leading gardening catalogs. Use a tiller to quickly create the right size planting hole for your new tree. For bare-root fruit trees a hole 2 feet in diameter and 18 to 24" deep will usually be sufficient.

Dividing Daylilies

Fall is also an ideal time to divide daylilies. If you have large daylilies that are several years old, chances are good that you can increase flower production by dividing them and creating additional plantings. If the center of your daylilies has "thin" foliage and produces few flower stalks, it's time to divide them.

The best time to divide them is late summer, shortly after they have stopped blooming. Trim all foliage to 4 to 6" in height. Lift the entire root ball with a planting fork. Divide the root ball into smaller clumps with a planting fork or sharp knife. Dig wide, shallow holes for replanting the divided root ball sections. If planting smaller individual clumps, the roots can be carefully spread over shallow mounds. If you have more clumps than you want to plant in your own gardens, share some with friends.

Enjoy this Fall... Plant something!

For more information on Tillers, click here.

Click here for an article on Planting a Bulb Garden.

Writer for Mantis and Mantis Owners.

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For a real showy display of flowers in spring time there is nothing better than large pots of spring bulbs to create a focal point in the garden. Almost all spring flowering bulbs can be planted in containers, but there are a few considerations you need to take into account when creating your display. It is not a good idea to plant miniature or short bulbs in a very large container as they will just look lost. At the same time, large bulbs in a small container will over balance it as they grow upwards. Also be careful with colour. A planter filled with the same variety of bulb can look stunning, but equally, a mix of bulbs of a similar colour pallet will look just as good.

The best time to plant spring flowering bulbs in containers is from October to December, before the first frosts. If you are using a terracotta pot with a drainage hole in the bottom place a layer of broken crocks inside before planting as this will aid drainage. Fill your chosen pot with general purpose compost mixed with a couple of handfuls of horticultural grit to help with drainage. If you are filling the container with the same variety of bulb, pack the bulbs in close together to ensure a really great show. Check the packet for the correct depth to plant the bulbs and cover over with compost. Water the container well and place in your chosen spot.

There are many varieties of spring flowering bulbs that look good in containers. Use an old galvanised tub as a planter for bright yellow daffodils. Straight stemmed red tulips look stunning in lead or faux lead planters. Place them either side of a front door for a really stunning display. Plant crocus bulbs in smaller containers, old walking boots are ideal and add a quirky twist to a door step or corner of a patio. Equally as nice are dwarf varieties of daffodil and tulip planted in wicker baskets. Short varieties of fritillaria and allium look stunning in terracotta bowls or low troughs. Place them on the flat top of a wall or in groups up the side of stone steps. Grape hyacinths are a great favourite and look good in small long toms and zinc planters. Plant dwarf iris in an old cup and saucer and place on your window sill. Hyacinth bulbs are also lovely to have indoors and will fill the room with their fresh heady scent. The type of garden planters you can use are endless. But you will always find something either vintage, modern or just a bit quirky that will set off your chosen bulbs a treat and help herald the arrival of another spring.

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Metal halide bulbs are amongst some of the most popular bulbs in the sunlight supply industry. 1000 watt metal halide bulbs can help to provide you with versatile lighting that can be brought to you with a very low energy cost as well. As a result of using this lighting system, many are able to get great lighting for a large area using less fixtures than ever before and far less energy.

1000 watt metal halide bulbs are able to effect positive change for the environment because they can easily produce more lumens than what a standard incandescent bulb can. Installing these types of bulbs in your home or for sunlight supply can give you a better quality, brighter light and at a remarkable cheaper energy cost. This reduces the amount of energy that is required to power a sunlight supply and also allows for a higher crop yield by utilizing a better and brighter light. Depending on the types of fixtures that you have already and the types of bulbs that you had for your sunlight supply you may be able to modify your fixtures to use 1000 watt metal halide bulbs or replace your fixtures in order to save money on the cost of your sunlight supply.

Metal halide bulbs also last much longer than the traditional incandescent bulbs and as a result can reduce the cost of your lighting budget by allowing you to reduce your bulb costs,. Incandescent bulbs have a much lower bulb life and as a result it will take more time for you to constantly have to change over blubs and also keep up on bulbs should they burn out. This can lead to dead patches in your sunlight supply and some areas that may not grow as well as a result of the bulbs burning out. Because of the excellent bulb life that the 1000 watt metal halide is able to produce, they will last for a much longer period and also provide you with a better yield and cost savings. Changing over bulbs can take time and having an employee change over blubs and keep up on areas where bulbs have burnt out can be extremely expensive for your labour costs. A bulb with a longer life span will preserve your crops, save you labour costs and save you energy costs.

1000 watt metal halide bulbs have been used in a variety of applications for sunlight supply and can grow even the most fragile plants. A good 1000 watt metal halide bulb system will be able to revolutionize your greenhouse and plant yield. With a professionally balanced light spectrum which is comparable to actual sunlight these bulbs have been used in professional settings to produce plant yields for pharmacological purposes and special plant research. If 1000 watt metal halide bulbs are the type of equipment that scientists are using to produce the best results, there is no reason why you shouldn't be using these types of bulbs to get professional results in your own greenhouse settings too.

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