How to do greenhouse plant propagation? the right way!

Before even thinking about propagation in your greenhouse it is essential that you have the correct work space and equipment. A work bench should be set at a height that is comfortable to work at, and it should be of sufficient area for your needs - large enough for storage of your seed trays and pots with ample space to do the actual work in. You will need a light source strong enough to enable you to see what you're doing. List the equipment you are going to be using well before you start propagation.

You are going to need seed trays and small pots, and these will need to be thoroughly cleaned and if possible sterilised well before you have to use them. Wash all pots and trays well in detergent mixed with a sterilising agent - household bleach is a good agent. If you possess a dish washer it is a good idea to put the equipment through a hot wash cycle. The knife you use for taking cuttings should be razor sharp and clean.

Various media may be used for the propagation - have on hand some vermiculite, commercial potting soil and some good compost - finely sieved. A plant hormone compound is most essential - this can be in powder or liquid form or can come as a gel. It is a good idea to have one or more heating pads - these are placed beneath the seed trays to ensure a steady soil temperature. A light source - the best is probably a neon strip light, should be set up for the propagation, and you will need to have an electricity source and water on hand. Ensure that you have an ample supply of plastic markers as well as something with which to write on them.

Now you have collected all the correct equipment together, it is time to decide what you are going to propagate. The choice is simple - seeds or cuttings. All commercially available seed packets will have printed on them certain valuable information: the ideal soil temperature, the depth to sow the seeds, how long it should take to germinate. The information will also contain the final spacing between plants when put into beds, the best time to put put into the garden, and in the case of kitchen garden seeds, how long before a crop can be expected. Use this information to approximate when you should start propagation of a particular variety. Once the first set of true leaves is established, seedlings may be lifted from the seed trays and transferred to its own small pot.

Cuttings may be propagated alongside seeds - ensure that the cutting tool is sterile as a non-sterile knife can transmit disease to the cutting. After dipping the cutting into plant hormone compound, place in the growing medium. The medium should be kept moist while cuttings are getting established. Ensure that the temperature and humidity of the greenhouse are kept at the desired levels during propagation. Humidity should be between 75 - 80% and the temperature about 70F (20C).