How to Propagate Plants when I have no Room for Cold Frame etc.

Hello @Pete8

I have some Black Closed Cell Foam, 10mm Thick, that I could Cut to Size.

Do you Think that 10mm Closed Cell Foam would suffice?

The Heat Mat has been Ordered and will be Delivered Tomorrow.

Thanks in advance

Kevin

 

Sounds ideal!
You could use a double layer if you have enough, but 10mm should suffice.

Good luck

 

Hello @Pete8

I do also have some 25mm Thick Closed Cell Foam but I thought that was overkill.

I will wait until I receive the Heating Mat Tomorrow and then Cut the Foam to Size.

Thanks

Kevin

 

Each to their own, but we prefer the heaters that are built into the seed tray, much easier to handle and ours have lasted many years.
Amazon.co.uk

Whatever you choose, its best to place them on a thick layer of polystyrene so all the heat goes up into the plants, not wasted down below.

Re your question about Echinaceas, how about 14p per plant - Var. Nectar Pink?

Saw this current advert for a collection of 72 perennial plug plants for 9.99 + postage - think you would have a riot of colour in your garden with them.
72 Spectacular Perennial Plants | Thompson & Morgan

 

I very much agree.
For most of my seeds I use my heated Vitopod propagator that's in my unheated greenhouse.
Sowing around now means there's plenty of good light with some strength from the sun as we near the equinox.
But for germinating indoors, I use the mat on bricks.
The mat heats the bricks up so I have the mat on a timer and it comes on for just 15 or 30 mins per hour which keeps a stable temperature.

 

Hello @ricky101

Thanks for the Link, however, I specifically want Echinacea 'Delicious Candy' because, well, I am Me

It also means that I can try Propagating them, if it works then.....

Thanks

Kevin

 

We also use a heating cable over a 4x2ft bench for frost protection of young plants in the greenhouse.
All our heaters have their own heating control ( diy Arduino) and we have a remote monitor so we can see at a glance how things are going on.

 

There is a propagator on the market and it’s meant to be excellent for cuttings, so much so that it is mentioned by Bunny Guinness or Pippa Greenwood on GQT, who swears by it, of course though I cannot find the old episode on BBC Sounds?

 

Hello @Pete8

The Heat Mat was Delivered This Morning.

Now I just need to Cut the Closed Cell Foam to Size, easier said than done, unfortunately.

I know that I need to use the Heat Mat when I first Pot up the Cuttings but how long do I need to have it on?

Thanks in advance

Kevin

 

I wait until roots appear at the bottom of the pot.
Alternatively, when you see the cuttings start to put on new growth, that indicates they have roots.
Then they can come out of the bag and off the mat and be potted-up seperately.

Hope it works out for you

PS remember to trim the leaves of the cuttings before putting them into the compost

 

Hello @Pete8

Thanks for your Help.

The First Plants that I am Hoping to Propagate are:

Penstemon 'Burgundy'
Echinacea 'Delicious Candy'
Phlox 'Not a Clue'

Thanks

Kevin

 

I have Burgundy and take cuttings from it.
Look online about how to trim leaves for cuttings - too much leaf and the cutting won't strike as it has no roots but is still trying to keep the leaves alive - that's why cuttings sometimes droop amd fail - too much leaf.

Phlox are easier to split sometime in spring, but cuttings from the new shoots at the base also work well.

I don't grow echinacea - snail food in my garden :(