Hi Everyone.
I stumbled upon something very interesting today while re-potting my poinsettia.
It was rooted from a cutting using a 2 inch square of floral foam.
When I found the foam I was a bit concerned so I did some research. It turns out that this is a great way to start cuttings.
Has anyone tried this? Obviously it works, I was just wondering why I have never heard of it!!

sntpost.stii.dost.gov.ph/frames/aprTOjun04/pg43b.htm
...for your reading pleasure. haha

Hm.. Dunno why you have not heard of it before. I think there may be a difference in 'problems' when it comes to rooting for the pro's vss home usage. I know that rockwoll (Some kind of insulation) makes for great medium to grow vegatables. Commercial greenhouses swear by it. Yet 'the average joe' would not want to be caught dead with such materials. It solves a problem that for a non-pro does not exist I suppose?

The last few weeks have really opened my eyes. I did not realize all the different mediums that are used.It all started with floral foam, and ended with recycled seed starters and how to germinate seeds from grocery store produce.. With a lot of fun information in between.
I now am obsessed with saving and starting seeds.I am starting a spaghetti squash in an egg shell. haha seriously, I think there's something wrong with me.

hehe, egg shells

packed full of calcium

...and when the seedling is big enough, you just crack the shell a little bit and plant the whole thing in the garden. Less stress on the plant and you enrich the soil.

Thats dam cleaver! I dont think i have the patients to grow from seed tho

i agree mwid....i live in tropic region with good climate. A tree grow from seed need about 2 years to be 1.5" in open ground and about 5 years in planting media, thats too slow...a waist of time i prefared cuting instead.

Im doing lots of airlayes at the moment, its really fun, and you can try select a well structured branch when you start.

I still would one day like to own a bonsai that i know i started from seed.. Its the idea that counts. A bonsai started from seed takes a lot more effort and skill, but you can take more pride in something you have trained and nurtured from seed.

cleaner626 wrote:

i agree mwid....i live in tropic region with good climate. A tree grow from seed need about 2 years to be 1.5" in open ground and about 5 years in planting media, thats too slow...a waist of time i prefared cuting instead.

hm.. I wonder wether you should be working on bonsai if you think that is too slow. A good bonsai takes time. Rushing it by taking [big] cuttings is not going to create true beauties but may give you a heaad-start. Smaller cuttings will help a lot, as seedling mortality may be extremely high in some cases. But then you only win a year or so.

I am working on a lot of seedlings, and seedling/small cutting grown maturer material. And that is great fun. It is not just teh end result., See the journey as part of the challenge and excitement..

I have the time, patience, and skill to plant a bunch of seeds and wait...so why not. I know it'll be years before any seed would resemble a bonsai, but that's why I have other trees. I need to be kept busy....