Propagation - Cuttings, Division, Air Layering, and Seed Sowing

The true plant lover will invariably want to increase his/her own stock of house plants, particularly when they discover just how rewarding home propagation can be. The various methods (cuttings, division, air layering, and seed sowing) are as follows:

Cuttings

The simplest method of growing roots on cutting is still: put it in a bottle of water. Moreover, you have the added pleasure of actually seeing the roots grow. Choose a fresh tip or sideshoot 6-10 cms long from the most vigorous growth of the plant and cut cleanly across just beneath a node, the point where the leaf is attached to the stem.

Remove the lower leaves from the cutting and place it in a bottle of water, but make sure that the base of the cutting does not touch the bottom of the bottle. Roots have the best chance of the developing about halfway down the bottle.

As soon as the cutting has grown a nice show of healthy roots it can be planted in ordinary potting compost. However, after two weeks there are still no roots visible, you can try planting the cutting in peat fibre leafmould, or a proprietary rooting medium.

Suitable plants for this method are: Aphelandra, Begonia Corallina, Coleus, Cyperus, Fuchsia, Gynura, Hedera, Hypoestes, Impatiens, Iresine, Tradescantia, and so on.

There are also plants that root easily if we use sections of the stem. In this way, several cuttings can be cultivated from one stem. Plants that lend themselves well to this are: Cissus, Cordyline, Terminalis, dracaena, Fatshedera, Fatsia, Hedera, Passiflora, Syngonium, and so on.

The stem sections must have at least 3 leaves or leaf buds (eyes). Place them vertically in the rooting compost or lay them horizontally on the compost and three quarters cover them wit the soil.

Division

Some Plants can be propagated by simply dividing them up into pieces. This is an ideal method for plants that grow from more than one stem, such as ferns, plants that have a rootstock (rhizome) and those that develop offshoots. The first mentioned entails separating the clump of root into sections by gently teasing them apart, making sure that each separate piece has some top growth attached to it.

Plants with rhizomes, such as Sanseviera can best be divided by cutting through the root system with a sharp sterilized knife, in such away that each cutaway section retains at least one shoot as well as a portion of the original root system.

Air Layering

A less simple method of propagating plants that are often too woody to roots normally. Air layering is used on plants with a woody stem, such as Ficus. It is ideal for shortening a plant that has gown too tall.

Compact new plants can be produced by making a clean, diagonal cut to the core of the stem at the place from which you wish to root. A match should then be placed in the split to prevent it from healing. The split or wound is then smeared with mixture of rooting powder and lanoline.

The treated section is subsequently packed around with dampened sphagnum moss, and finally wrapped in a pieces of plastic that is securely sealed at the bottom and top.

When a well developed root growth is visible through the moss, the packing can be removed. The plant stem is then cut just below the rooted top section, which can now be safely potted up. The plant it self should not be watered over the soil during this period.

Seed Sowing

Raising house plants from the seed is a relatively uncommon practice among home plant cultivators, be it only because you can suddenly find yourself with a host of plants for one and the same species.

Though there is an element of surprise with this method, you never quite now what is going to come up. Seedlings can deviated considerably from the parent plant in both color and markings, while cuttings will always give you and exact replica of the original plant.

Although it is tempting to use seed from your own house plants, it is recommended that you buy the seed you need from professional nurserymen, since this taken from the best specimens. Take care not to use old seed, as most seeds do not retain their germinating power for long.

Sow seeds close to the surface so that they are not cut off from the air. As a rule, the thin layer of earth covering the seeds should not be thicker than the seeds themselves. Seeds need moisture in order to germinate. This is best applied with a spray rather than the spout of watering can.

Ground warmth is absolutely essential. With the seeds of house plants that are accustomed to overwinter in a cool environment, place a box or tray of small seed pots on the warm mantelpiece or radiator. Tropical plant seeds, however, need a soil warmth of 22-30oC in order to germinate.

Natural Cures for Panic Attacks - What Are They?

People experience panic attacks at least once in their lifetime. This is a sudden terror due to unknown causes. Some say that it is triggered by stress from family, work, a problem or simply life. When panic attacks occur, it is usually followed by nausea, suffocation and sweating. Indeed, the condition is a little frightening.

Since there is a possibility that it will occur more than one on a certain person, there are medications and therapies prescribed by doctors. However, some may be allergic and refuse to take medications. Fortunately, there are natural cures for panic attacks.

Undergoing natural cures for panic attacks is both effective and safe. In fact, some of the herbal treatments have been used for a long time.

The first natural cure is engaging in exercises. This is the most common and easiest way to relax the mind and achieve a healthy body.

Second is taking herbal supplements. There is a variety of herbs suitable for panic attacks. Below is a list of the herbs; however, not all are suitable for everyone. If one decides to take one, it is essential to consult a physician and choose supplements with FDA approval.

• Kava Herb

Kava kava or Piper methysticum has been used in ancient China. This herb is rich in kavalactones that calms the senses treating anxiety and insomnia. It also improves concentration and enhances memory of a patient. However, it should not be taken daily because it may cause damage to liver. It should only be taken if necessary. Most importantly, it should not be taken by pregnant women because it may affect their condition.

• Lavender Essential Oil

Aromatherapy oil is beneficial in reducing stress. Sniffing a little dose of lavender essential oil sprayed on a handkerchief is a great way to calm the nerves and prevent panic attack. One can also spray a few on the pillow for a good night sleep.

• Passion Flower

Passionflower or Passiflora incarnata is an herb which came from a woody vine that yields berries called as grandilla. The flowers, leaves as well as the upper part which consist flavonoids are commonly used. The plant is native in North America and has been used by the Aztecs and Europeans for medicinal purposes. This offers relief from anxiety, insomnia mood swings and tension by maintaining a balanced emotional state.

• Valerian

Other natural cures for panic attacks include valerian. This is a traditional herbal medicine that was used since second century A.D. According to studies, this herb increases gamma aminobutyric acid or GABA which decreases anxiety. This in turn soothes the nerves and alleviates anxiety and other symptoms. Valerian can be taken in the form of capsule, tablet or as a tea drink.

Growing Annual Climbers From Seed

An easy and cheap way to brighten up any garden during the summer months is to grow annual climbers. These plants are quick to grow and provide colour in the garden from early summer all the way through to the first frosts, making them great value for money. They are really easy to grow from seed too. February or March is a good time to sow annual climber seeds. Once you have chosen the varieties you want to grow, you will need some small plastic pots, around 10cm, seed growing compost, a propagator or cling film and some twigs to act as supports.

Fill your 10cm pots with compost and water well. Then scatter the seed on the top of the compost and cover with a thin top layer of compost. A good tip is to soak the seed in cold water overnight to encourage it to begin germination. Once you have sown your different varieties of seed make sure you label them so you know which variety is which. If you have a small propagator, place the pots into that and leave in the greenhouse. Alternatively, you can cover each pot with cling film and place them on a sunny window sill to germinate.

After two to three weeks the seedlings should appear. Once the seedlings have produced their first true leaves, transfer them to their own pot. Empty out the pot of seedlings carefully and separate them using a pencil or mini dibber. Fill a slightly larger pot with compost and make a hole in the middle. Place the seedling into the hole, taking care to handle it by the leaf and not the stem. Firm the compost down around it and water well. Once the seedlings start to grow, push in a few twigs to provide support for them to grow up.

Annual climber varieties

Sweet peas are the obvious choice and who can resist their heady scent on a warm summer day. Ipomoea or morning glory is a colourful fast climber with masses of trumpet shaped flowers. Purple bell flower is another fast growing climber with purple bell shaped flowers. It will climb up literally anything! Passiflora or passion flower is an exotic addition to any summer garden. Unlike its name, climbing snail vine is a quick grower. A close relative to the runner bean, it is grown for its pendants of twisted flowers, like the coils of a snail shell.

Once the threat of frosts has passed, move the seedlings into a cold frame to harden off before planting out. Annual climbers are great for covering up a sunny fence or trellis quickly. But they are also attractive when grown in garden planters, as long as you provide some support for them to climb up.