27/06/2013 Organic Unit 10325 and Permaculture Unit 21041

Actual Temperature
10 degrees Celsius
Humidity : 85%
Rainfall : 0.00mm
Wind : Calm

The morning class was Lisa Burton on Organic Unit. Organic food - what it is? Organic agriculture and food production systems avoid or exclude the use of most synthetic pest control compounds and fertilisers, antibiotics, growth promotants and food additives derives from non-organic sources, as well as genetic modifications and irradiations. 

The different between organic and conventional food lies in the way the food is grown, handled and processed. There is no recognised scientific test to conclusively show that a product is organic. 

Lisa bought some organic and non-organics food such as milk, apples, kiwi fruits, rice crackers and chocolates. She make us test by tasting all the food and differentiate organic and non-organic food. After testing the food we rate accordingly to the taste of organic and non-organic food.

In the afternoon we had Permaculture Class with Kim Thomas on Permaculture's ethical underpinnings that we watching  a video show by Permaculture expert Penny Livingston-Stark shows how natural systems can teach us better design practices. Learning to work with the earth not only creates a healthier environment, it also nourishes the people who live in.

We watch a video on Food Inc. is a 2009 American documentary film directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Robert Kenner. The film examines corporate farming in the United States, concluding the agribusiness produces food that is unhealthy in way that is abusive of animals and environmentally harmful. The documentary generated extensive controversy in that it was heavily criticized by large American corporations engaged in industrial food production.

The questions are :
Identify examples within the movie, Food Inc. that do support each of the three main ethics of permaculture.
1] Earth care 2] People Care 3] Fair Share

Identify examples with the movie, Food Inc. that support each of the three main ethics of permaculture.
1] Earth care 2] People care 3] Fair Share

Permaculture Design Principles

Thinking tools, that when used together, allow us to creatively re-design our environment and our behavior in a world of less energy and resources

26/06/2013 - Plant Identification Unit 20574

 Flowers Structure (Morphology)

The anther and filament together are called the stamen 

Diagram showing the main parts of a mature flowers





Today my class is in the afternoon with Lisa Short. She emphasis on Plant Identification under the topic of Flowers. She brought some Lily (Lilium longiflorum)  flowers to experiment the individual parts by cutting them and see through magnify glass or mircoscopes.


Flowering plants (Angiosperms)

The flowering plants are the most diverse group of land plants. Angiosperms are seed-producing plants like the gymnosperms and can be distinguished from the gymnosperms by the series of characteristics. These characteristics include flowers and the production of fruits that contain the seeds. The characteristics feature of angiosperms is the flower. Flowers show remarkable variation in form and elaboration and provide the most trustworthy external characteristics for establishing relationships among angiosperms and ensure fertilization of the ovule and development of fruit containing seeds.

Conifers (gymnosperms)

The gymnosperms are a group of seed-bearing plants that includes conifers, cycads and ginkgo. Gymnosperm seeds develop either on the surface of scale or leaf-like appendages of cones, or the end of short stalks. By far largest group of living gymnosperm is the conifers (pines, cypresses and relatives). Conifers are woody plants and most are evergreens. Deciduous conifers include the dawn redwood, swamp, cypress and larch.

1] Campanulate - bell shaped

2] Funnel form - funnel shaped

3] Trumpet shaped

4] Salvi form - tube opening out

5] Tubular

6] Urceolate - Urn shaped

7] Bowl shaped

8] Saucer shaped

9] Stellate - Star shaped

10] Cruciform

11] Labiate (Stem are often square and mouth shaped)

12] Papilionaceous (butterfly like flower)

13] Ligulate (spike like) eg sunflower

Individual flower sexuality

Bisexual or perfect flowers have both male and female flowers reproductive structure. These are often called androgynous or hermaphroditic. Examples of plants with perfect of bisexual flowers include the lily, rose and most plants with large showy flowers.

Unisexual - Reproduction structure that is either functionally male or functionally female. In angiosperms this condition is also commonly called an imperfect or incomplete flower.

For examples, the two subclasses of flowering plants may be distinguished by the number of floral organs in each whorl : dicotyledons typically having 4 or 5 organs (or a multiple of 4 or 5) in each whorl and monocotyledons having three or some multiple of three.

Weather  : Light Rain Temperature 5 degrees Celsius 

Humidity 80%

25/06/2013 - Plant Propagation Unit 20557

Today went to nursery to view all the plants and the progress of sedlings  Digital summer king was doing good and looks healthy, Lupin gallery mix was looks growing well, Sweet pea - Lianthus Cupix Drawf  looks good, Origanum vulgaris totally dead with leaf wilted and turn yellow. Sophora tetraptera seedling are growing but too slow. Dianthus summer king seedling which are pricked out and potted in small pots looks good. Dianthus punicel seedling looke healthy. Jupiter media blaauw still fresh  but not much progress. Veronica "Emarald Green" and Thymus vulgaris are healthy and root growth well.

Today for my propagation class the pricking out and potting on goes on Sweet pea "Lalythus cupid dixit mix" . Firstly we mix the soil such as 1/4 metre soil, 75 gms Hydraflo II, 875 gms Osmolote, 750 gms dolomite and 250 gms Lime.

Firstly, fill in with many small and medium square pots of approximately 28 potting mix then level off the soil. Once finished labelled and water them gently. Then placed them in a sheltered area to grow on mainly in greenhouse. Plants must be well watered as soon as possible after pricking out or potting on.

20/06/2013 - Organic Unit 10325

The class was Lisa Burton on 20/06/2013. She was touching on Introduction Organic Horticulture. 

The Society Influences on the Development of Organic Horticulture.

• Social influence occurs when an individual thoughts, feelings or actions are affected by other people.
• Social influence takes as many forms and can be seen in conformity, socialisation, peer, pressure, obedience, leadership, persuasion, sales and marketing.

Social influences on the Development of Organic Horticulture such as sustainability. What is sustainability? Meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of the future generation's to meet their needs.

Sustainability is about stabilising the currently disruptive relationship  between earth's two complex systems - human culture and the living world.

Sustainability is the capacity to endure. In ecology the world describes how biological systems to remain diverse and productive overtime. For humans it is potential for long term maintenance of well being.    

Organic Horticulture helps to sustain :-

• Bio diversity 
• environmental health
• Community development
• Economic development
• Human health

What is sustainable? 

1. we take what nature replaces
2. we make what nature can process
3. we avoid breaking nature
4. we are equitable

Operating within the system condition such as :

1. What we take - Reduce reliance or mind resources

2. What we make - Use products and materials that nature can process

3. What we break - Prevent destruction of natural environment

4. How we share the material - look after everybody in the process.

Environment Awareness :

- Water pollution of lake of streams and beaches

- Loss of degradation

- Air pollution from traffic

- Modification of natural landscapes

- Air pollution from domestic fire and local fire power station

Schematic drawing causes and effects of air pollution such as greenhouse effect, particulate contamination, increase in radiation, acid rain, increase ozone concentration, increased level of nitrogen oxides.

Environmental Awareness :-

- reduced use of fossil fuels by walking / cycling to your local farmer's market

- buy organic food that has not been transported from overseas.

- buy organic food that has not required synthetic pesticides to produce it.

Lisa also elaborate on Globalisation such as

1. How has Globalisation effect the World?

2. Globalisation describes a process by which economics and societies

Globalisation on the area such as was on 

• Industrial                                         
• Financial
• Competition
• Ecological
• Cultural
• International travel
• Immigration
• spread to local products

Weather : It was a wet day raining heavily. Temperature : 4 degrees Celsius.  Light Wind  and Humidity : 78%.

19/06/2013 - Plant Identification Unit 20574

On 19/6/2013 we have Field Trip in Botanic Lower Garden at Opoho Road House at 9am with Lisa Burton. The trip was cancelled due to wet and rainy day.

At 1.00pm the class was conducted by Lisa Short on Plant Identification. She was conducting on the topic of Flowers. An important identifying feature of plant is the flower. Flowers are arranged in the way of their appearance  and when they are produced. Flower appearance follows the arrangement of flowers. Flowers are said to be solitary when the plants bears only one or single flowers appear to ends the lateral branches that are remote from one another. 

The inflorescence of a shrub with one flower in each leaf axil on many shoots is often describes as flowers solitary in the axils of the leaves". An inflorescence is a flowering shoot that carries more than one flower. The stem holding the whole inflorescence is called a peduncle and the main stem holding the flowers or more branches within is called rachis. The stalk of each single flower is called a pedicel.

Flower arrangement (phyllotaxis) - Flowers are arranged on the stem in many different patterns :-

1] Opposite Flower pattern

2] Alternate Flower pattern

Terminal Flowers - Inflorescences have two different growth pattern called indeterminate and determinate. This indicates whether a terminal (end)  flower is formed and where the flowering starts within the inflorescence:- 

1] Indeterminate inflorescence - which the terminal bud keeps growing and forming lateral flowers. A 

    terminal flower is never formed.

2] Determinate inflorescence - which the terminal bud forms a terminal flower and then dies out. other 

    flowers then grow from the lateral bud.

Raceme like (racemose) inflorescences:-

These inflorescences are characterised by a pattern of branching where the main axis continues to grow, producing lateral buds, which becoming flowers or shoots that repeat the same pattern. The youngest buds are nearest the top or apex of the main axis.

1]  Spike - is an unbranched inflorescences, able to elongate, with stalkless flowers. Those at the base 

     open first.

2]  Raceme - is an unbranched inflorescences, able to elongate, with stalked flowers. Those flowers at 

      the base open first.  

3]  Umbel - a flat topped inflorescences with all the pedicels arising from a common point at the apex 

     of the main axis. Often umbrella-shaped.

4]  Capitulum - a head like inflorescences of a large number of usually stalkless flowers. Most flowers

     in the Asteraceae family have this type of inflorescences.

5]  Corymb - a flat-topped or domed inflorescences where the outer flowers open first. Corymbs may 

      be simple or compound. 

6]   Panicle - a branched inflorescences, able to elongate, where the branches are usually raceme like or 

      corymb like.

Cyme inflorescences the growth of the main axis is terminated by a flower. One or more lateral buds behind that flower then develop until their growth is in turn stopped by the production of flowers. Cyme a flower terminates each branch, the oldest in the centres.

Finally on some other inflorescences types - 

Catkin is a spike or spike-like inflorescence, usually unisexual flowers on a pendulous axis.

Spike is a spike like inflorescences with a thick fleshy axis, usually surrounded by a large bract (modified leaf).

Today's climate was wet and raining. Temperature was 5 degrees Celsius and Humidity : 64%.

19/06/2013 - Produce A Nursery Crop Unit 20567

Today my class was with Lisa Short on Nursery Crop in Y108 at 9.00am. She was intoducing us to New Unit on "What a good Production Plan?" The identification of key tasks or the job required to be completed anually for the crop is very important. The main key task is depending on crop type but could includes of these such as:

• Propagation
• Pricking Out
• Potting up or potting on
• Planting out
• Picking over
• Irrigation
• Fertilising
• Pollination
• Spraying
• Prunning
• Mulching
• Weed Control
• Harvesting
• Packing
• Monitoring and recording information

The important of plant planning helps to ensure that the problems is identified before the plants are damaged and that the growing environment is managed correctly.

• Key tasks / job are identified
• Key dates for production are met
• Adequate staffing is available
• Nursery supplies are available
• Nursery space are available
• Syetem in place to monitor performance and be able to make changes.  

Lisa was teaching us the purpose of this unit and required to plan a single small crop. Good planning will ensure that you are aware of the risks and that you have strategies pre-prepared to handle changes. Risk of poor production planning will result in the crop being late, poor crop size or quality and pest and diseases may increasse if miss spray application dates.

Apart form that Lisa determine on which plant material and varities to grow. and it must be marketable at a profit.The market demand has a huge influence on the grow such as colours, flavour. size, volume required, demand for local or exsport products and competitors.

Aparently, Lisa was discussing on the Assessment on Produce a Nursery Crop and at the same time hand over a List of Seed Plants that we choice and monitor on  production plan is vital.  All the monitoring includes daily records such as observations, timing, notes, field inspections of jobs, the quality checklist to ensure tasks have been completed correctly on time, records of efficiency, climate records and crop samplings and maturity records. 

Climate for today : Mostly Cloudy day with temperature of  5 degrees Celsius and windy. Rainfall : 0.00mm.

13/06/2013 - Permaculture Unit 21041

My class was conducted in the afternoon by Kim Thomas. The introduction topic was on Permaculture and steps to focus on creating a plan for a selected site. Ideally to choose a sit which can visit frequently in order to observe the characteristics of the site, take measurement, and in time, implement the design. Later we watch the Power Point on an introduction to the ethics and principles. 

Permaculture is an approach to designing human settlements and agricultural systems that mimic the relationships found in natural ecologies. Permaculture is a broad based and holistic approach that has many applications to all aspects of life.   

Permaculture design and practice is a fundamental set of "core values" or ethics. 

• Earth care such as recognising the earth is the source of all life and that we are a part of Earth, not apart from it. 
• People care by supporting and helping each other to change the ways of living that do not harm ourselves or the planet, and to develop healthy societies.
• Fair share may also involve redistributing and surplus that been created ensuring that Earth's limited resources are used in ways that are equitable.

Kim was grouping the class in a few groups to share the permaculture principles such as concepts that are connected. The group are allocated with one or more principles that need to describe  honour that principle in future. 

• Observe and interact
• Catch and store energy
• Obtain  a yield
• Apply self-regulation and accept feedback
• Use and value renewable resources and services
• Produce no waste
• Design from patterns to details
• Integrate rather than segregate
• Use small and slow solution 
• Use and value diversity
• Use edges and value the marginal
• Creatively use and respond to change

Finally the session end and for the homework on 27/06/2013 before the next session,  read from page 17 -26 on "Earth User Guide to Permaculture". Kim also request us to watch the vidoes pertaining to Permaculture on Wikieducator.

12/06/2013 - Plant Collection Unit touring Botanical Garden

My morning class on Plant Collection Unit was with Lisa Burton at Botanic Garden Upper Garden Administration Building. It is tour by Curators of the Geographic Collection and Arboretum, followed by Camellia and Thematic Collection.

All the students gathered in and we start touring the Botanic Garden in the 6.2 hextares of 15.3 acres. Geographic collection is mainly species. He was emphasising on 6,643 indigenous plants in NZ, 2,253 are naturalised and 300 - 500 serious environmental weeds.

He also brings us starting from Australian collection and telling us about the history of collection.  Australian collection is one of the largest of the geographic collection in term of area of beds. Then down to Mexican collection and then North American collection. Himalayan Collection are the tropical plants from the tropical lowlands to the hardy plants on the icy highlands.

Then Shanghai Collection its a vast collection which is connected to Shanghai Botanic garden to develop better relationship. The other part is North Asian, South American collection which has the same problems as the North American collection as it covers a huge range of climate zones from rain forests to dessert.  

The other side was South African collection and finally to Mediterranean collection which was the newest collection. The rock wall constructed and all the rock was brought from quarry and started in November, 2009 and finished in November, 2010.

Apparently after the tea break at 10.30am we was guided by Curator Marianne Groothuis in Camellia and Thematic Collection. The Camellia have existing themes such as Plants for Fragrance, Evergreen Hedges, Foliage Colour, Autumn Colour, Winter and Spring Flowering and Dry Shade.

The purpose of Collection are for resources for apprentices, public and polytechnic students, plant life articles for the ODT, national conference and societies, garden shows tours and talks and slide shows. Marianne was showing all of us the various types of camellia and the history of BG, the mission, the collection and layout and future of the collection.  Finally we finished the session at 11.30am.

In the afternoon section it was Plant Identification Unit with Lisa Short. She was guiding us on plant classification system and nomenclature and the division of plant classification. After the theory section she took us outdoor to shows samples on  various kinds of weeds and trees at the opposite of L Block and behind of O Block Campus.

The weather was cloudy and temperature was 8 degrees Celsius and rain fall was 0.00mm. Humidity was 80%. 

12/06/2013 - Plant Propagation From Seed Unit 20557

My class was conducted by Lisa Short on 12/06/2013. In the morning monitored on the seedlings such as "Lupin gallery mix" which is healthy and root growing gently, Sophora tetraptera seedlings are quite slow in growings. Others seedlings are just growing slowly.  Clianthus puniceus are doing good and they are healthy.

As soon as the seedlings are large enough to handle and they should be spaced further apart or put into individual small pots to allow for maximum growth. As I saw the Digitalis summer king seeds are developing in a fully developed stage with first seedling leaves. Do this as soon as the first seedlings leaves are fully developed and before the next few leaves form. At this stage - root system large enough to survive but not so large.

 35 pots small little pots of Digitalis Summer King 

Firstly we fill in the small little pots to the top with potting mix then level off with my hand. Firm mix lightly so that the level is just below the top of the small little pots. Then I try to remove the seedlings gently by lifting plant by one seed leaf while prising loose the root system with a dibber at the same time.

The seedling should come free with the root system and make a hole with a dibber in the medium, large enough for the root system to be placed in without being bend upwards. Gently firm the mix around the seedlings. Prick out seedlings into rows, and evenly spaced apart.

Once all the small little pots are fully fit in the tray which is approximately 35 pots, then labeled and water them gently. Then the tray are placed in  a sheltered area to grow on. Plants must be watered as soon as possible after pricking out and potting on.

Another plant on pricking out and potting on is the plant Dianthus confetti. As soon as the seedlings are large enough to handle they should be spaced further apart or put into individual pots to allow for maximum growth and pricked out approximately 15 small pots.

Weather  Forecast : 8.6 degree Celsius Actual Temperature. Wind speed was 21KM/H. Humidity was 83%. Rainfall: 0.00mm.

Rainfall 0.0mm 

(in last 10 minutes)

Humidity 80%

Pressure n/a

(latest hourly observation)

11/06/2013 - Tool Kit for Propagator's and Gardening

Good Tools make an enormous difference to the ease with which you'll be able to propagate your plants.  They can also make the difference between failure and success. So your first task as a plant propagator is to collect the tools you'll need for the propagation.

Hand tools - These are the mainstay of the propagator's tool kit. You'll rely on pruners and knifes to take cuttings, knives to make grafts, and spades and spading forks to divide plants. 

Garden Fork is the simplest way to aerate the turf deeply enough to relieve compaction.

Small Trower with its sharp tines, a hand fork is easy to stab into the soil (most soil) making it great for planting, transplanting, aerating, weeding and mixing additives into your soil. The hand fork makes a good all-around garden tool, especially in tight places.

Besom a brushing is necessary for a variety of jobs such as fallen leaves, twigs, dead grass. A besom or birch broom is usually considered more suitable than a stiff yard brush. Do not need to buy costly broom, but do replace it when the bristles are worn. 

Spring Tine Rake is essential for cleaning up the lawn surface in the spring and for the removal of leaves and other debris in autumn. This treatment has a tonic effect by preventing the build-up of thatch. 

Watering Can usually is too small for watering, but very useful for the application of weedkillers, moss killers and liquid feeds.

Hose and sprinkler is the effect of drought is more serious than just unsightly browning - the weakened grass is susceptible to weed and moss invasion once the rain returns. Many people say convenience is the biggest advantage to an automatic system since they don't have to spend their time watering by hand or moving the hose around the yard. Others say extended plant life and lower water usage are the most important benefits. Still others believe a sprinkler system is one of the best investments that they can make in their home, since a home’s appearance is a key factor in determining market value.

07/06/2013 - Diseases and Disorder Unit 27208

The class was conducted by Lisa Burton on Control Measures / Options. The common option for management of the diseases fall into three categories. 

1. Chemical control / options  - the use of chemicals, be it conventional or organic for pest management.

2. Cultural controls / options - the use of a range of options that minimise infection etc.

3. Biological controls / options - the use of natural organisms - mainly pathogens for disease 

    management.

Some examples of other disorders, due to poor management are :

• Herbicide damage - often typified by "up cupped" leaves with prominent veins.
• Pesticide damage - can result under slow drying conditions and often leaves scorch marks.
• Storage disorders - due to low humidity, low temperatures, incorrect oxygen and carbon dioxide levels.

There are a range of control options available to you. Today, its better to think of the control measures as management options. There is a considerable trend toward the use of both cultural and biological control / options, where possible, to minimise the use of agrochemicals. Often these options are considered first, before considering the agrichemical options.

Chemical Controls / options -  Fungicides and Bactericides 

Falls into two groups such as protectants which protect the plant from infections entering the plant, but must be applied before they arrive.

Eradicants the act to eradicate infections that have already started, but generally are only effective if applied up to 96 hours after germination sometimes referred to as "kickback".

Resistance to pesticides is preventing resistance to fungicides is to apply products according to the label and to consider the rotation of the products applied.  A good spray programme is one that incorporates several protectant fungicides and uses eradicants only where an infection occurs.

Cultural Controls / options -  Most diseases prefer humid conditions, so if we can change these favourable conditions to unfavourable we can discourage or stop these disease. To decrease humidity by increasing airflow through a canopy by pruning and spacing the plants. Do not water the canopy leaves, water the soil. In the greenhouse try to increase the ventilation. By providing drainage or locating plants in drier area possible.

Provision is good growing conditions to maintain good plant health and resistance. It is by creating s less favourable environment for pests and diseases have, you can prevent these from occurring. 

Crop rotation by rotating crops to prevent pest or disease build ups, or a carry over. The same plant type is not planted back in the same area each seasons. This is not always possible or effective, but an option none the less. Try to remove alternative plants if possible. The manipulate sowing dates to periods that are less susceptible to disease damage considering the life cycles of diseases.

For soil cultivation and drainage can make the soil less wet and discourage soil / root diseases. the hygiene is vital. It comes in many forms from removing diseases by burning pruning, using clean tools, keeping area clean, picking off diseased plants part. Apart from that is physical controls include soil disinfection, hot water treatment of seeds and bulbs.

Biological Controls / option - 

The control of the plant diseases using pathogens. May be naturally occurring or introduced. A bacterium Agrobacterium radiobacter applied to cutting or seedling prevents the plants from becoming infected with a disease called crown gall.

A commercial preparation is available called Dygall. A fungus Trichoderma viride is commercially available in a variety of forms. It is antagonistic to fungus that causes silver leaf. It may also inhibit other fungus. Trichoderma products include Trichopel.

05/06/2013 - Organic Unit 10325

Organic Unit was conducted by Ms. Lisa Burton on 5th June, 2013. She was introducing the organic unit,  group discussion on "What is Organic" and video show on "The Story of Stuff".

Introduction to Organic Horticulture :-

Organic agriculture is a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and the people. Organic agriculture combines tradition, innovation and science to benefit the shared environment and promote  fair relationship and good quality of life for all involved. 

Organics is an overall system of farm management and food production, combining best environment practices, advanced skills, a high level of biodiversity, the preservation of natural resources and the application of strict animal welfare standards. Organic farming harnesses natural processes to enhance productivity, avoiding the use of synthetic fertilisers, pesticides and other artificial inputs.

Water Quality -   Organic farmers manage soils and nutrients that reduce leaching into water ways.
Soil Quality -       Organic family protects soils, building organic matter while increasing soil fauna  and
                              microbial activity.
Climate Change - Organic farming requires 1/3 less energy, avoiding synthetic agrichemicals which
                               are agriculture's biggest energy user, while increasing soil carbon and improving
                               water holding capacity, which aid resilience to climate change.
Biodiversity -    Organic farms are pesticide free - protecting ecosystems, hosting wildlife and
                           enhancing soil biology.
Food Safety -     Organics is healthier for all the human being.

Certified organic products are independently audited against international rules and standards, satisfying      the demand for high-value, high-quality food, international reputation for environmental stewardship.

Size of the Organic Export Market (Million of NZ$) 1997 (32 Million), 2002 (70 Million),
2007 (120 Million) and 2009 (170 Million).

The New Zealand market for organic food and beverage  products was valued at $315m in 2009, and increase from $210 in 2007. 

Domestic sales of organic products are dominated by processed foods and beverage products was valued at $315m in 2009 an increase from $210m in 2007. Domestic sales of organic products are dominated by processed foods, fresh fruits  and vegetables. Meat and diary products are also significant sources of sales value. 

Exports of certified organic products from New Zealand were valued at $170m in 2009, an increase from $120m in 2007 and $70m in 2005. Fresh fruit and vegetables continue to dominate exported products with organic daily and beverage exports each growing by approximately 400% between 2007 and 2009. Total value of all destination markets has increased since 2007, with the emergence of Australia signalling a significant break-out reliance on the three traditional markets of Europe, North America and Japan. The Organic Products Exporters of New Zealand Industry is the group representing and supporting New Zealand organic exporters domestically and around the world.  

04/06/2013 - Plant Evergreen Hardwood Cutting Unit 23781

Today Tuesday 4th June, 2013,  my morning session was with Ms.Lisa Short on Plant Propagation Unit. She was guiding us on Evergreen Hardwood Cuttings.

Evergreen hardwood cuttings are used for the propagation of conifers. These cuttings can be slow to root, on average taking between two to twelve months. The plant that I did in class was Juniper x media blaauw. The mixing of media is fill in the tray to the top with potting mix the level off with a board and mix together with Seradix the Root Forming Hormone on Hardwood and Liba 10,000 of hormone forming. Then make a hole with a dibber in the media and plant the cuttings. Cutting length are usually between  5 - 15cm long. Cutting type are usually heel cuttings are commonly used. The cutting treatment was rooting hormones and fungicides dips can be beneficial.

The cuting environment are humidity levels must be maintained and misting unit or humidity tent is recommended. There are three types of cutting such as stem cutting that you will make are simply shape of stem cuttings. The other type of cutting are heel cuttings and mallet cutting which the nodal are of a plant stem contains a greater amount of carbohydrates or food reserves. The availability of food increases the likelihood of root development during propagation. The heel cuttings and mallet cuttings will take advantages of this and can be useful for difficult to propaganate plants.

The weather was wet and raining by 5 degrees Celcius. Its very cool and cloudy in the morning.