Resource Book on Horticulture Nursery Management

seedlings to other users, potential customers should be surveyed and detailed information
collected to answer these questions:
� What species, number and size of trees are needed?
� When and where will these trees be planted?
� How long will these needs persist and will they change over time?
In particular, nursery developers planning on growing seedlings for government
tree-planting projects should be aware that most contracts are awarded on a minimum bid
basis and so profit margins are small. Seedling demand from government agencies can
vary considerably from year to year. Therefore, potential nursery developers should
carefully analyze their potential market and make certain that a sustained demand exists
before investing in a nursery.
A variety of crops like spices, plantation crops, fruit trees, vegetables, aromatic and
medicinal, ornamentals and other plants are grown throughout India. Hence, there is good
demand for quality planting materials. Such possibilities can be effectively and efficiently
utilized by the nursery owner.
8.2.3 Mass Production of Ornamental Plants
When the society changes to production and selling in the market system, it also
changes to competitions and capitalist economic status with an emphasis on the
importance of materialism. Marketing study concerning ornamental plant production
surrounding metropolitan cities like Bangalore, Ooty, Pune, Delhi, etc indicates
development and substantial increase in ornamental plants user community. So mass
production of ornamental plants is needed.
Multiplication of Ornamental Plants
Plant propagation is the process of multiplying the numbers of a plant and
perpetuating the plant or maintaining the youthfulness of a plant.
1. Asexual Propagation
Asexual propagation involves the vegetative parts of a plant including the roots, stems
or leaves. There are several advantages to propagating plants asexually. It is the easiest
and fastest way to propagate some species of ornamental plants. It may also be the only
way to perpetuate some cultivars. The major methods of asexual propagation are cuttings,
layering, grafting and budding.
Cuttings
Stem Cuttings: Numerous plant species are propagated by stem cuttings. Some can
be propagated any time of the year, but stem cuttings of many woody plants must be
taken in their dormant season.
Tip Cuttings: Detach a 2 to 6 inch piece of stem, including the terminal bud. Make
the cut just below a node. Remove lower leaves. Dip the stem in rooting hormone. Gently
tap the end of the cutting to remove excess hormone. Insert the cutting deep enough into
the media to support it. At least one node must be below the surface, e.g. Coleus,
Carnation, etc.
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