CHE REFERENCE LIBRARY - ZetaTalk

%I5 THE NURSERY-ilfANUi4LperFormed not less than 1S inIches above ground in order to avoidsubsequent winter-injury to t.he smooth trunks forming above thepoint of union. Ol,\~iously crown- or root-grafts are most susceptibleto this troublp. Trees worked low should be given a winterwrapping of wooden ireneer, heavy paper, burlap, or similar materialfor four to six years, or until the natural protklction of rough barkis developed. (‘ions of last year’s growth cut while dormant andheld in storage mn)~ be used in early spring for grafting or to affordbuds for early summrr budding. For late summer budding, budsticksmay be cut from the earliest o,F the current season’s growth.In the South, root-grat’ting is usually performed from January toMarch; in the sorth from March to May, depending on weatherand soil conditions. For nursery grafting the tongue-graft is most inuse. With larger stocks, especially in top-working, the bark- or slipbark-graftgivcls maximum results. Dormant budding in latewinter or early spring is successful at the hands of skilled operators.Later budding rntq be b>- the annular or patch methods. Specialtools haye been de\%ed for these method:: 1.1~~ which amateurs soonbecome successful. No matter what method may be employed inpropagating thrh pc‘c:~n, subsequent care in unwrapping, rewrapping,removing the wrn pping, necessary shading, staking to preventthe new top from blowing out, pruning, guarding against insects,and the like, art’ qually important to initial operation.Propagation is ::omctimes accomplished by cuttings taken fromthe ends of soft growing roots. See H,ic?,~ry.Pelargonium (Geranium. Stork’s Bill). Geraniace~.Seeds, sown in light soil with mild heat, are sometimes employed.Commoniy increascrl by cuttings OF firm shoots, which grow readily(Figs. 119, 121). The common geraniums, for conservatory use,should be renewed from cuttings every Jrear. Cuttings of the zonalor “f&h” geraniums are mostly taken from stock plants grown inthe open and lifted in autumn. The fancy or show geraniums aregrown from cuttings taken after blooming, and sometimes fromroot-cuttings, but often will not come true. Geraniums canalso be grafted, the named varieties bring worked on related stocks.(See page 16.5, Hcrbaceous Grafting.)Pelecyphora (Hatchet Cactus). CnctacecP.Handled by seeds in moderate heat, and by cuttings made of anysmall shoots that arise from the base. See also C~adi.