I found starting new plants from cuttings a faster method to reach a mature plant. However using seeds is a better means to add new and unusual plants to your collection. I have a greenhouse and a
basement with assorted lights . I like to hear your suggestions how I should use my facilities.
#2
Bernie(Friday, 13 March 2015)
Attention : Growers who use seeds to start new plants. Consider ordering the bulletin which you will find in our book listings.
STARTING SEEDS INDOORS by Ann Reilly. Storey
Publishing Bulletin. 32 pages, pap. ($3.95). Starting seeds, special germination, planting times.
#3
Thomas Eckert(Thursday, 20 August 2015 14:23)
Starting new plants from seed is ok but reproduction from cuttings produce an exact new plant from the host plant. This does not always happen with seeds. Also belonging to groups that have plant
raffles or are swapping plants is a good way to increasing your plant varieties, just check them for insect and disease problems.
#4
Bernie(Saturday, 12 September 2015 09:30)
Summer is coming to an end. If you had your plants out doors the past months now is the time to start new plants once you cut them back. Over grown plants are a problem to maintain and they take up
too much valuable room in the greenhouse. Plus it is good to have a back up plant in case the stock plant will die. Fellow gardeners like exchanging plants and it is a good way to learn about
different plant families. So start propagating the cuttings.
#5
Bernie(Saturday, 26 September 2015 10:08)
Consider sharing cuttings from your over grown plants with other members. NOTE: list your plants on our Facebook page so you can add a photo and information.
#6
Tom Eckert(Friday, 13 November 2015 08:06)
We enjoy having an HGA chapter locally. At our meetings members bring in some of their excess plants for the raffle table. At 4 chances for a dollar, it is a good way to pick up new plants for your
collection.
Our local chapter is the Central PA Chapter, Camp Hill, PA. Contact June Eckert at tjghg@verizon.net if you would like to attend a meeting. Guests and the public are always welcome.
#7
Carol Stiff(Monday, 15 August 2016 00:04)
How many chapters of HGA exist? Is there one in Washington state? How do you start one? Thanks. I am new so apologies for dumb questions..........carol
#8
Tom Eckert(Thursday, 18 August 2016 09:10)
There are no HGA Chapter's in Washington state. Chapter formation is easy, but it does takes some dedication. I can provide information to you. Email tjghg@verizon.net and request a copy.
Thanks for the question.
The HGA is planning to add a "New Plant Feature" to the HGA magazine. You can submit a picture(s) and growing information for this feature. Email tjghg@verizon.net with your submissions. Thanks
#11
Ken Mencel(Monday, 09 October 2017 20:34)
I am looking through the Magazine and trying to remember if there was an article on growing Geraniums in my greenhouse during winter months? I have gone through the magazines on file but have seen
scented ones but I thought I saw the Red variety- basic Geranium but not sure??
A couple of years back I started with a lot of seeds and flats of zinnias, cosmos, black-eyed susans and coneflowers. While this year, I'll start another round of zinnias and cosmos, my blackeyed
susans and coneflowers are big enough to divide. I also purchased some milk weed seeds. I'll get them going in the greenhouse and then move them outside. I want to attract more butterflies. They love
the flowers, but the milkweed will provide a host plant for the monarch butterflies. I live in a rural area, so my extras I set out front on our stone wall with a "free" sign. They get snatched up
fast, and I'm glad others can use and enjoy them.
#13
Tom Eckert(Sunday, 04 February 2018 13:12)
Ken, Sorry I missed your question and it is over a year later. Yes, I also had a article in the magazine relating to geranium growing in the winter greenhouse. Overwintering geranium is quite easy. I
bring in my geranium baskets in the fall before frost. Clean them of dead leaves and blooms and give them a light feeding of 20-20-20 fertilizer. Keep the plants clean during the winter months and
feed them monthly. Simple as that. I have three excellent baskets in the greenhouse now with more blooms on them than I can count. They look great. I will use them for spring cuttings.
#14
Tom Eckert(Sunday, 04 February 2018 13:59)
Like trying new plants? If you can find the plants or the seed try the Morning Glory Cameo Elegance. It has varigated leaves, the flower is a light red color with a white center. A very showy plant.
Grow on a trellis of some sort. The seed are viable. As with any morning glory, the thick seed coat should be soaked in warm water for 8 to 12 hours before planting to soften the shell and promote
germination.
#15
Tom Eckert(Monday, 06 August 2018 15:21)
Succulents have become very popular again. We have been growing the "cat and kittens" aka "hens and chicks" for the past three years and include them in our sales tables. People like them in
miniature gardens and planted into just about anything that looks good. There are many varieties of the plant to choose from. They are easy to grow, try to use a bark mix growing medium, watering
only when dry and they are very forgiving from neglect as they store nutrients in their leaves. They reproduce by offsets all summer long. Just gently pull the new offsets from the mother plant as
they get large and stick it into a pot of bark grow mix. Keep moist and roots will develop easily. Presto – you got a new plant. Mealy bugs do like to hide in-between their leaves if they are present
among your other plants. Use an oil spray to snuff them out.
#16
Ellie Mascara(Tuesday, 16 October 2018 22:10)
I'm a Master gardener. Our organization has a plant auction. Members contribute plants that are auctioned off. This has become a favorite fundraiser for our group.
We are also starting a seed swap. This has been a learning experience for most of us.
#17
Tom Eckert(Monday, 24 December 2018 12:35)
Ellie, Our HGA chapter here in PA has a raffle table of donated plants and supplies at every meeting. A great way to share plants and pick up new varieties. The chapter makes a few bucks from the
raffle, usually 30 to 40 dollars per meeting to help with expenses. Tickets are 4 for a dollar.
#18
Thomas Eckert(Sunday, 12 May 2019 16:46)
Sweet Potato Vines: Hey when you dump the soil from the pots in the fall after the vines have died off if the sweet potato produced a sweet potato in the container they are actually edible though
perhaps a little tart. Cook them like a store bought variety. I have been told to add a little brown sugar when cooking to sweeten them.
#19
Thomas Eckert(Friday, 16 August 2019 14:17)
Looking for plants that stay small, are somewhat carefree, and produce beautiful flowers? Try the Cobweb cactus. They come in several colors and produce a cluster of flowers on several stems. The
small cactus also produces what looks like a cobweb maze across its top. Look for an article in the Fall HGA magazine.
Write a comment
Bernie (Wednesday, 04 March 2015 09:30)
I found starting new plants from cuttings a faster method to reach a mature plant. However using seeds is a better means to add new and unusual plants to your collection. I have a greenhouse and a basement with assorted lights . I like to hear your suggestions how I should use my facilities.
Bernie (Friday, 13 March 2015)
Attention : Growers who use seeds to start new plants. Consider ordering the bulletin which you will find in our book listings.
STARTING SEEDS INDOORS by Ann Reilly. Storey
Publishing Bulletin. 32 pages, pap. ($3.95). Starting seeds, special germination, planting times.
Thomas Eckert (Thursday, 20 August 2015 14:23)
Starting new plants from seed is ok but reproduction from cuttings produce an exact new plant from the host plant. This does not always happen with seeds. Also belonging to groups that have plant raffles or are swapping plants is a good way to increasing your plant varieties, just check them for insect and disease problems.
Bernie (Saturday, 12 September 2015 09:30)
Summer is coming to an end. If you had your plants out doors the past months now is the time to start new plants once you cut them back. Over grown plants are a problem to maintain and they take up too much valuable room in the greenhouse. Plus it is good to have a back up plant in case the stock plant will die. Fellow gardeners like exchanging plants and it is a good way to learn about different plant families. So start propagating the cuttings.
Bernie (Saturday, 26 September 2015 10:08)
Consider sharing cuttings from your over grown plants with other members. NOTE: list your plants on our Facebook page so you can add a photo and information.
Tom Eckert (Friday, 13 November 2015 08:06)
We enjoy having an HGA chapter locally. At our meetings members bring in some of their excess plants for the raffle table. At 4 chances for a dollar, it is a good way to pick up new plants for your collection.
Our local chapter is the Central PA Chapter, Camp Hill, PA. Contact June Eckert at tjghg@verizon.net if you would like to attend a meeting. Guests and the public are always welcome.
Carol Stiff (Monday, 15 August 2016 00:04)
How many chapters of HGA exist? Is there one in Washington state? How do you start one? Thanks. I am new so apologies for dumb questions..........carol
Tom Eckert (Thursday, 18 August 2016 09:10)
There are no HGA Chapter's in Washington state. Chapter formation is easy, but it does takes some dedication. I can provide information to you. Email tjghg@verizon.net and request a copy.
Thanks for the question.
Garrett Waddell (Thursday, 02 February 2017 04:48)
Peculiar article, just what I was looking for.
Tom Eckert (Monday, 07 August 2017 12:41)
The HGA is planning to add a "New Plant Feature" to the HGA magazine. You can submit a picture(s) and growing information for this feature. Email tjghg@verizon.net with your submissions. Thanks
Ken Mencel (Monday, 09 October 2017 20:34)
I am looking through the Magazine and trying to remember if there was an article on growing Geraniums in my greenhouse during winter months? I have gone through the magazines on file but have seen scented ones but I thought I saw the Red variety- basic Geranium but not sure??
thanks, Ken
Jim Guinn (Sunday, 10 December 2017 08:46)
A couple of years back I started with a lot of seeds and flats of zinnias, cosmos, black-eyed susans and coneflowers. While this year, I'll start another round of zinnias and cosmos, my blackeyed susans and coneflowers are big enough to divide. I also purchased some milk weed seeds. I'll get them going in the greenhouse and then move them outside. I want to attract more butterflies. They love the flowers, but the milkweed will provide a host plant for the monarch butterflies. I live in a rural area, so my extras I set out front on our stone wall with a "free" sign. They get snatched up fast, and I'm glad others can use and enjoy them.
Tom Eckert (Sunday, 04 February 2018 13:12)
Ken, Sorry I missed your question and it is over a year later. Yes, I also had a article in the magazine relating to geranium growing in the winter greenhouse. Overwintering geranium is quite easy. I bring in my geranium baskets in the fall before frost. Clean them of dead leaves and blooms and give them a light feeding of 20-20-20 fertilizer. Keep the plants clean during the winter months and feed them monthly. Simple as that. I have three excellent baskets in the greenhouse now with more blooms on them than I can count. They look great. I will use them for spring cuttings.
Tom Eckert (Sunday, 04 February 2018 13:59)
Like trying new plants? If you can find the plants or the seed try the Morning Glory Cameo Elegance. It has varigated leaves, the flower is a light red color with a white center. A very showy plant. Grow on a trellis of some sort. The seed are viable. As with any morning glory, the thick seed coat should be soaked in warm water for 8 to 12 hours before planting to soften the shell and promote germination.
Tom Eckert (Monday, 06 August 2018 15:21)
Succulents have become very popular again. We have been growing the "cat and kittens" aka "hens and chicks" for the past three years and include them in our sales tables. People like them in miniature gardens and planted into just about anything that looks good. There are many varieties of the plant to choose from. They are easy to grow, try to use a bark mix growing medium, watering only when dry and they are very forgiving from neglect as they store nutrients in their leaves. They reproduce by offsets all summer long. Just gently pull the new offsets from the mother plant as they get large and stick it into a pot of bark grow mix. Keep moist and roots will develop easily. Presto – you got a new plant. Mealy bugs do like to hide in-between their leaves if they are present among your other plants. Use an oil spray to snuff them out.
Ellie Mascara (Tuesday, 16 October 2018 22:10)
I'm a Master gardener. Our organization has a plant auction. Members contribute plants that are auctioned off. This has become a favorite fundraiser for our group.
We are also starting a seed swap. This has been a learning experience for most of us.
Tom Eckert (Monday, 24 December 2018 12:35)
Ellie, Our HGA chapter here in PA has a raffle table of donated plants and supplies at every meeting. A great way to share plants and pick up new varieties. The chapter makes a few bucks from the raffle, usually 30 to 40 dollars per meeting to help with expenses. Tickets are 4 for a dollar.
Thomas Eckert (Sunday, 12 May 2019 16:46)
Sweet Potato Vines: Hey when you dump the soil from the pots in the fall after the vines have died off if the sweet potato produced a sweet potato in the container they are actually edible though perhaps a little tart. Cook them like a store bought variety. I have been told to add a little brown sugar when cooking to sweeten them.
Thomas Eckert (Friday, 16 August 2019 14:17)
Looking for plants that stay small, are somewhat carefree, and produce beautiful flowers? Try the Cobweb cactus. They come in several colors and produce a cluster of flowers on several stems. The small cactus also produces what looks like a cobweb maze across its top. Look for an article in the Fall HGA magazine.
Shane (Wednesday, 19 May 2021 16:25)
Is Central pa the closest HGA to southern NJ?