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.

View the original article here

The olive tree is synonymous with the Mediterranean and warm climates so it may seem surprising to know that the olive is actually very hardy and adaptable to a wide range of climates. In the UK they do best in milder microclimates such as coastal areas and urban settings. Here is a short guide to growing and caring for olives in your garden.

The position of your olive tree is most important. Make sure you site it in a sunny position, ideally south or west facing with some protection from cold winds. Olives prefer free-draining soils that do not become too wet. Olive trees do not require much in the way of pruning but can be cut according to shape and size. They will benefit from a light pruning in mid-spring, followed by a harder prune in early to mid-summer. Olives should be fed every two weeks or so from May to September. Seaweed feed is a good fertiliser to use.

In winter, olives can withstand temperatures down to around 5 degrees C but will need protection if it drops below this. Wrap horticultural fleece around the base and crown of the tree. Olives grown in containers run the risk of root damage due to frost. This can be remedied by layering the pot with bubble wrap and then re-planting before winter or adding bubble wrap to the outside of the pot, secured with twine.

It is possible to harvest olives from your tree in the UK. However, olive production can be hampered if the summer is overly wet or cool. Choose a variety that has been successful in producing olives in cooler climates. Try Olea europaea 'Cipressino'. You cannot eat olives straight from the tree, they need to be pickled and then marinated first. Pickle the olives in salt water for about five weeks and then marinate them in olive oil along with either garlic or lemons or both.

Olives can be successfully grown in garden planters and will be happy in a pot for many years. Standard trees make particularly nice specimens either side of a sheltered doorway or as a focal point in a sunny spot. There are a few things to remember when planting olives in containers. Don't over-pot your olive but use a container just slightly larger than the original pot. This rule should also be followed when re-potting olive trees. Use a good quality multipurpose compost mixed equally with John Innes no. 3.

View the original article here

Water-soluble fertilizers are used for a few reasons such as to speed up the greening process which is due to the nitrogen (N) present in the fertilizer, easy to apply, inexpensive to use, easy to handle, and are easily available at garden centers or nurseries.

Fertilizers are labeled with three numbers which give the percentage of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P205), and potassium (K20). A 50 pound bag of fertilizer that is labeled 10-10-10 has 10 pounds of nitrogen, 10 pounds of phosphorus, 10 pounds of potassium and 20 pounds of filler; filling being added to reduce or limit the possibility of burning roots or plants with the strength of fertilizer and also making it easier to spread.

If you're concerned about using a chemical fertilizer, there are natural fertilizers available in liquid form that works quite well for your shrubs and trees. Corn gluten meal (natural byproduct of wet-milling process of corn), fish emulsion, seaweed/kelp and humates (metal (mineral) salts of humic or fulvic acids) are all powerful natural fertilizers and soil amendments.

Compost which is made up of composting organic garden waste and scraps from the kitchen such as coffee grinds, potato peelings etc., can help improve drainage, add nutrients to your soil and help the plant's immune systems. A tree nursery or plant nursery can certainly help you with organic fertilizers.

Seaweed/Kelp meal fertilizer comes from the brown seaweed which is harvested from the cold ocean waters. Dried kelp preserves essential minerals, organic material and maintains a high content of plant growth hormones. Fish emulsion (fish meal) provides good amounts of phosphorous and organic nitrogen. It is considered both an organic fertilizer, rated 10-5-0 as well as plant food.

The easiest way to apply fertilizer is on the soil surface, but do not spread it too far from the tree. To get phosphorus and potassium directly into the area of the roots, fertilizer must be added below the soil surface. Holes can be drilled in the soil with a power auger that is slanted towards the center of the tree, to a depth of 8-12". Add the fertilizer into the available holes, being sure to water thoroughly to activate the fertilizer into a solution.

These are some suggestions for fertilizing your plants or trees, but any questions pertaining to fertilizing can be answered by your favorite nursery, whether they are a plant nursery, tree nursery or wholesale nursery, so be sure to bookmark your favorite and ask away!

Tree Nursery is a State of Tennessee Certified Tree Farm. In our online nursery you will only find specimen quality trees, plants, perennials and Quick Growing Garden Plants. All trees plants and shrubs are marked down for quick sale right now. We are the largest mail order nursery in the country and we ship plants to all states.

View the original article here