Propagating Plants for Free
From Apple Trees to Herbs Almost Everything can be Grown at No Cost
Oct 2, 2009
The best plant to experiment with is the good old Strawberry plant. It sends out its own runners with the small plants attached, usually in May. Place the small plant on a pot filled with soil or compost and stake it securely with a bent piece of thick wire or peg. Leave the runner attached to the mother plant until the small plant has grown roots and able to survive independently. Then cut the runner. Keep well watered and repot or transplant in late spring.
Another good plant to propagate in this way is the Honeysuckle. As with the Strawberry, place a pot of compost under a stem with a node, and secure firmly. The node will root itself and when fairly established it can be cut from the main plant.
Growing Plants and Trees from Seeds
This may sound obvious, but how many keen gardeners or greenhouse enthusiasts save all their fruit seeds? Oranges, apples, grapes, peach, pear, plum and apricot and many more can be grown from the stone or seed of the fruit. Apple seeds are particularly easy to cultivate, just pop them into compost with the sharp end facing upwards and leave them to grow.
Grape seeds, too, will grow easily. Orange seeds grow into nice bushes or can be allowed to grow into larger ornamental trees.
Making Money from Home Grown Plants and Trees
This is an easy way to make money by selling plants grown in this way. Grapevines can be individually potted up and sold, as can apple trees and anything grown from seed or stone. Also the propagated plants. These are truly plants for free.
It doesn’t take long either. Plan for the following year and the apple trees will be at least a metre tall and sold during the summer will look impressive if staked and labelled.
Remember to always label the pots with the type of fruit and variety and date of sowing. It helps the following year when it comes to sell them.
Of course, for anyone with plenty of land the plants and trees can be planted and enjoyed at home.
Turn that Wooded Lot into a Money-Making Scheme
Here’s a well-kept secret. For those who have a wood or tree area consider planting Ginseng. Although you have to be patient – it can take several years to mature, the root it literally worth its weight in gold. Buy stratified seed and plant amongst the trees and watch the money grow. There are restrictions in some States so it is worth checking out the regulations, and Ginseng will not grow in southern States.
Whether looking to make some money by propagating plants and trees, or just growing for pleasure, there are many opportunities for growing plants for free.
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