So much talk and media exposure concerning the rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has ensured most people are now aware that there is potentially a serious environmental problem to be addressed in the near future. Carbon In The Soil I hope to do a little towards a solution to this problem by storing carbon in the form of organic compounds in the soil on the farm. Most carbon compounds tied up in dead plant material such as mulch, leaves, bark and compost will degrade releasing carbon dioxide to the atmosphere in within a few years, but the trunks, stems and roots of living trees are able to store carbon for much longer periods. Should my tree seedlings recently planted live from 20 to 100 years, there is a positive benefit in the medium term. Humus – Carbon Originating from Dead Plant However, one form of carbon...
Farming Knowledge
Grafting
A rare excitement seems to overcome gardeners who catch the ‘Grafting bug’. The simple art of joining parts of different plants to create a new combination has captured the imagination of many an adventurous gardener. A Little Magic In The Garden There are important commercial reasons for grafting plants, nurseries specialize and get extremely good at producing certain cropping and ornamental plants. For the home gardener the simple challenge of being able to graft in the backyard, then show off the results to visitors is in itself the buzz they are looking for. Art and science come together when grafting, what eventually comes out is only limited to one’s imagination. Expect The Unexpected Backyard pioneers will attempt strange combinations, sometimes with unexpected results. People once laughed at grafted tomatoes, soon they will be buying grafted cucumbers and melons. I have always admired the natural propagator who effortlessly cuts perfect...
Cuttings
Grafting plants has captured the imagination of many a gardener, but what could be a more simple way to produce new plants than from the humble cutting? Deciduous plants are often propagated from dormant cuttings. Other plant parts including runners, rhizomes and suckers are almost ready made cuttings. A Humble Offering From The Plant World A cutting is halfway towards a new plant, only a root system and new leaves is needed. I can’t help but think cuttings are a great gift to us from the plant world. They are there for us to collect without doing any real damage, and in many cases, pruning will also invigorate the mother plant. Remember to always look for cuttings which are free of insect infestations, disease, frost, heat and mechanical damage as these problems can lead to new plants of inferior quality. Any Part Except Flowers Practically any part except the...
Plants From Seed
After a plant has grown to maturity it will aim to produce an abundance of seed in order to create a new generation of plants. Annual plants complete this process then die within a year, biennials require 2 years to complete their life cycle and perennials can survive for many years. Seed Production Not only do seeds perpetuate the species into the future, more importantly they create a variety of individual seedlings. Some of these individuals will be more successful at surviving changes in the environment and as a result the species is able to adapt to new environments. Plants grown from cuttings are essentially clones of a parent plant. This is a very useful feature when plants are grown as crops, but a serious weakness in the wild. The reduced ability of clones to adapt to changes in the environment increases their chances of becoming extinct. Hence in...