Propagation is the process of creating “New Plants”. That can be done by various methods such as taking cuttings from old plants, seed sowing or by division.

Creating new plants can be hugely rewarding both for the beginner and the experienced gardener. It is also a very economical way of producing new stock. Huge savings can be made from growing your own plants from seed. Undoubtedly there is an initial investment involved in getting set up, but all the equipment used can be used time and time again, making long term savings.

If you have never grown plants from seed it can initially be very overwhelming, as you are bombarded by terminology, numerous products in the garden centre to choose from, rows and rows of seed and general uncertainty of how to get started.

So here is a beginners guide to Propagating from Seed.

What Equipment Do You Need To Start Growing From Seed?

Compost

It is very important that you get your growing medium right. As this is essentially the backbone of the whole operation. Always choose the best compost that you can afford. There are dedicated composts for different jobs, e.g. John Innes No 1 is a seed compost that has all the right nutrients and composition for sowing seed direct into it. J. Innes No 2 you would use at the stage where you are pricking out your seedlings to pot on.

Equally there are a variety of multi- purpose composts that you could you use, quite happily for seed sowing. More experienced gardeners will have their own combinations and mixes that they use. Some will use a combination of grit, multipurpose, home-made compost and even leaf-mold.

Vermiculite is a product that can be added direct to compost as it helps retain water and nutrients. It creates a light and open structure, enabling compost to absorb and retain moisture.

If temperatures are very low, store your bags of compost in a greenhouse, garage or porch. This will help with the temperature of the compost, keeping it a little higher than leaving it outside in the cold.

Seed

When it comes to deciding what to grow, the choices are limitless. For somebody who has never grown anything from seed then this can be overwhelming. A good place to start is to grow salad crops such as lettuces, salad leaves, radishes, salad onions. There are a whole variety of choices to suit.

Alternatively a very popular theme is to grow a “Cutting Garden”. This is relatively easy in that a variety of flowers are grown in one season, from sowing to picking for cut flowers. These seeds are known as Hardy or Half-Hardy Annuals. They are a great place to start for the beginner.

It is very important that you read the instructions on the seed packets. This will tell you all that you need to know about them, giving you planting times, instructions for planting, spacing’s and temperature requirements.

Different seeds will require different options. Some seeds can be planted direct into the ground; some may need a definite temperature and may require a propagator. Always read the instructions, however a degree of common sense is required; if it is exceptionally cold or wet it may be worth holding off sowing direct into the ground until conditions improve.

Seed Trays, Pots e.t.c.

Your choice of seed, guided by the seed instructions will invariably dictate what you plant the seed in. Small tiny seeds which are difficult to handle are best sown in seed trays and transplanted on when big enough to handle.

If you are able to pick the seed up with your fingers then there a variety of choices.

• 100 % Biodegradable pots. Seed is sown direct into pots, which are then, when conditions allow planted straight into the ground. Using this method there is minimum disturbance of the roots, maximizing the growing conditions. In the ground the pots will then disintegrate.

• Rootrainers.  Again using a rootrainer minimizes root disturbances, as the cells open up for easy removal making them ideal for plants with long roots e.g. parsnips or sweet peas. After making an initial investment the rootrainers can be used again and again. They encourage strong vigorous root growth making strong healthy plants.

• Seed Tray Inserts. These are plastic trays used for either sowing seed direct into or using to transplant in when seedlings are larger enough to handle. The cells come in three different sizes, 40, 24 or 15 cells to a tray. They are usually put into a normal seed tray for support.

• Row Planter. For some seeds that can be grown in a row, a row planter is ideal as once sown and germinated , the seedlings can be merely slide out of the row planter directly into the ground. Again minimizing root disturbance. This is a perfect medium for growing peas.

• Pots of all sizes. Seeds can also be sown individually into pots, depending on the size of the seed. There are a whole range of different sized pots to suit every need.

Propagators, Cloches, Mini greenhouses e .t.c

Propagators

One of the vital ingredients to encourage seeds to germinate is HEAT! Without it seeds will not start the process of growing. Most seeds require a minimum of 10^oC with some seeds requiring a much higher temperature than others. To encourage this process of germination a propagator would be a worthwhile long term investment.

There are three types of propagators: unheated, heated with a thermostat, and heated without a thermostat. Unheated propagators are generally used in an unheated greenhouse, but not always. They provide extra protection at night when temperatures can fall endangering precious seedlings.

Heated propagators that do not have a thermostat raise the temperature by a few degrees but will not maintain a desired temperature. They are ideal for a windowsill in rooms where the temperature remains stable.

A thermostatically propagator offers the best control and is the most reliable as it maintains a chosen temperature. Although a more expensive option it can also be used to raise hard and soft wood cuttings.

However, for a relative modest outlay a propagator can go a long way to increasing your strike rate and germination success.

Cloches and Mini Greenhouses

A purchase of a greenhouse is undoubtedly a large financial investment but there are a number of cheaper alternatives now available to help with the whole process of propagating your seeds.

A 4 tier greenhouse with a fitted plastic cover, including shelving can be used to protect your seeds and seedlings. An additional fleece cover will give added protection against the cold.

Cloches both in fleece and in polythene protect against frosts and act as a barrier against pests, still allowing air and water to permeate to prevent fungus and diseases. Seedling Cloches with reinforced durable covers that have windows for easy access and ventilation will undoubtedly help with ensuring maximum protection against the cold.

In addition there are also single cloches available in all sizes in plastic, at reasonable prices that can be used to protect single plants when transplanted out into the allotment or veg garden.

Read Propagation Part 2