Annette McFarlane gave a really good workshop at New Farm Library yesterday on propagation from seeds and cuttings. She started by showing us the best medium in which to plant our seeds for a successful germination and explained how the process of germination works. This information is really important if we are to have a high rate of germination from our seeds.
It was then time for us all to dive in and get our hands dirty, each person taking a seed tray, topping up with the growing medium and planting the seeds. This was then ours to take home.
After morning tea we went on to propagation using cuttings which was equally interesting and hands on. Using Annette’s instructions we were all back at the work tables trimming our cuttings, dipping the ends into a hormone rooting powder and then planting in the growing medium that Annette provided. Again, this was ours to take home.
It was then time to walk outside into New Farm Park where Annette showed us how to perform aerial layering propagation on one of the trees. Aerial layering is a handy way to propagate plants (and trees) that are very difficult to propagate from cuttings. Fascinating.
Annette is a wonderful teacher. She explains everything so clearly, and encourages us to ask questions as we go along.
There are plenty of opportunities to go to one of her gardening workshops if you live in south-east Queensland. If you want to find out more about Annette just click on this link and visit her website.
For information on Annette’s and other workshops put on by Brisbane City Council (BCC) in their libraries visit the Brisbane City Council website. The BCC library workshops are free and available to anyone. To book them you telephone BCC on (07) 3403 8888.
Happy gardening.
Allotment Adventures with Jean 