Category: Plant propagation

What Is Wrong With My Rhubarb?

Grace York

Delicious in crisps, pies, and even a cocktail, this versatile vegetable is relatively easy to grow. Though technically a vegetable, rhubarb is an Alaskan fruit favorite! But what happens when the pie plant some gardeners choose to leave to its own devices suddenly takes a turn? Growing up we had one very large and happy rhubarb plant in our backyard. It wasn’t in a garden, wasn’t even tended to, and it did great! Our rhubarb seemed to defy most garden advice: a testament to how hardy the plant is! Crisps Read More …

A Tale of Two Interests: Resource Review of the Suburban Homestead YouTube Channel

agrothe2

The Stomach of Necessity The quickest way to someone’s heart is through their stomach. As someone who has worn many hats in the field of healthcare, and has passed a human anatomy class, I take issue with this phrase. However, as someone who spends the better part of their time either thinking or talking about food, I could not agree more. I began the process of learning to cook at the age of about 10. I was fed up with canned green bean casserole, and determined to exert more control Read More …

It Just Takes Some Mist: Aeroponic Hydroponic Cloning

Honeystick

I normally use a clone dome, rooting hormone, and my trusty sheers in the cloning process with great results. Recently, I was introduced to a method of cloning that has: lowered my day to day maintenance, decreased my total clone time, and lowered the waste when cloning my own plants — this method is called Aeroponics. Aeroponics, when used in cloning, does not require one to add nutrients to water in order to achieve results. When comparing the total time of 14-21 days using my standard method of cloning with Read More …

Poinsettia Progression: The Origin, Growth, and Care of Euphorbia pulcherrima

cngriffin

  The holiday season is upon us once again, and what holiday decorations would be complete without the addition of colorful poinsettias?   The poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) in its many varieties can bring stunning colors to your holiday season display, but did you ever wonder what the origin of this symbolic holiday plant is,  how the colors develop, or how to grow and care for poinsettias yourself? I.   Tropical Origins Poinsettias are indigenous to Mexico and belong to the Spurge (Euphorbiaceae) family.   Its native habitat is at moderate Read More …

Seed Starting for Beginners Part 2

sjkesting

Time to light it up! The little plants are pushing their shoulders out of the soil.   Within hours, they will be pushing skyward in a life saving race to find the sun.   It is very important to put the light on them quickly so that they do not get too leggy in their sun worshiping pursuit. I like to purchase the fluorescent lights at the local hardware store.   They are typical “shop lights” and come with a plug.   Unless you are an electrician, be careful not Read More …

Seed starting for Beginners Part 1

sjkesting

Its that time!   It is the time of year – time to appease our need for the smell of soil and the love of nurturing green life. Many people spend a fortune in plants at the box stores and green houses. Good for them, there is nothing wrong with that. However, paying $2-3 per cabbage plant makes me wonder why they don’t just buy cabbage at the grocery store. Not only is it expensive, but missing the seed starting is missing one of the best parts! Watching and nurturing Read More …

All in the Family: Propagating a unique variety of Colorado Blue Spruce from cuttings

Mimi Corneliussen

My father-in-law is a long time wholesale nursery owner in Oregon.   He learned the trade from his nurseryman uncle, who also inspired the Waconda Blue, a variety  of the Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens) that is now living in my family’s backyard in Alaska.   The original was selected in 1977 for its very blue hue.   Cuttings were taken and the Waconda Blue was established.   A child of the tree was given to my husband in the mid-80s.   He transplanted it in 1992 in Wasilla and Read More …