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SOME USES OF PLASTIC FILMS IN THE PROPAGATION AND
GROWTH OF CERTAIN HGRTICULTUBAL PLANTS

by
m VERNON 3mm
A

A TESIS

Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies of Michigan
State College of Agriculture and Applied Science

in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of

MASTER OF SCIENCE

Department of Hort ic ult ure

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TKBLE OF

INTRODUCT ION O O O O O O O O O 0

REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE . . . .

MLTERIALS.ARD METHODS . . . . . . . .

Experiment I. Plastic wrap

for individual cuttings ......

Experiment II, Plastic wrap
for seedlings . . . . . .

Experiment III. Plastic wrap
for greenhouse pots . . .

Experiment IV; Plastic roll
for cuttings . . . . . .

Experiment V. Storage . . .
RESULTS

Experiment I . . . . . . .

Experiment II . . . . . . . .

Experiment III
Experiment 17 . . . . . . .
Experiment V . . . . . . .
SUMMARY . . . . . . . . . . . .
LITERATURE CITED . . . . . . . .

CCIITENI’ S

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ACKNOWLEDGEXENT

The author wishes to express his
sincere appreciation to Dr. Charles L.
Hamner, who directed the course of this

investigation.

INTRODUCTION

During the last five years the air-layering method of prepagating
stiffly-erect, or difficult-to-root plants, has been stimulated by the
use of certain plastic films which prevent the loss of moisture when the
films are used as wrappers around the rooting media. Polyethylene and
polyvinyl type films were used successfully in this work. The “rubber
plastic“ film was used in the air-layering of the Lychee (Litchi chinensis)
by Grove in 19h? (10). He received.a patent in 1951 for this method of
pr0pagation. Air-layering with polyethylene film was reported by
Creech in 1950 (u) and by Wyman in 1952 (15).

Wyman experienced difficulty in getting some of the new plants to
continue growth once they were rooted and removed from the parent, al-
though he cansidered this operation beyond the scope of his experiment.
He suggested that a study should be made to determine the prOper time to
remove the air-layer for further development of the new plant.

Accordingly with this difficulty in mind. an attempt was made to
determine the pr0per time to remove the air-layer for continued growth
of the new plant, as shown in the preliminary trials; and also to inves-
tigate the possibility of using plastic films in the rooting of cuttings.
Furthermore. the program was broadened to include the use of plastic

films in the prepagation and growth of certain horticultural plants.

REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

.Articles were written on vegetative propagation over 2,000 years
ago. TheOphrastus. as reviewed by Avery et a1 (1). considered that
trees could be prepagated by cuttings and layers, and Pliny described
methods of propagating many plants by suckers, cuttings, and layers.
For many centuries the Chinese practiced air-layering, a method of
reproducing the stiffly-erect or difficult—to-root, woody plants. Pro-
bably'this method.was introduced into the United States by early settlers
from China.

Essentially these methods have remained unchanged throughout the
years. although much has been learned, especially during the last 25
years, to improve the techniques of prepagation. About the middle of
the eighteenth century Duhamel du Monceau (7). after careful experi-
mentation. suggested that plants may contain a substance capable of
initiating callus and root growth.

Darwin (5) localized a response to light and.gravity in roots and
grass seedlings. The response occurred several millimeters below the
tip of the organ which received.the stimulus. He suggested that the
transmitted stimulus may have brought about this phenomenon.

The theory of Sachs, as reviewed by went and Thimann (1M). that
specific chemical substances from one part of the plant moved to other
parts, influencing organ deveIOpment, was speculated upon by many in-
vestigators from 1880 to 1910. It was generally concluded that the

bending of shoots to unilateral light and the response of roots to

gravity were due to a transmission of stimulus from one part of the
plant to another part where the curving occurred.

Animal physiologists in 1905 coined the word ”hormone”, a Greek
word meaning Iactivity arouser". a specific substance which.was produced
in one part of the body and.carried.by the blood stream to another region
where the response would take place. Botanists began to use the work to
describe unknown materials thought to be present in minute quantities
within the plant and.which were responsible for plant deveIOpment.

The fact that leaves manufactured the carbohydrates and other nu-
trient substances caused confusion among many workers. Van der Lek,
according to went and Thimann (1h). concluded root formation was dependent
somewhat upon the presence of sprouting buds. although some roots could be
formed without buds present. He assumed that a hormone-like material was
- produced in the buds and transported downward in the phloem tissue to the
basal portim of the cutting.

thh.work was done to correlate the internal physiological conditions
of plants with the ability to root. Many chemical substances were tested
but the results were not significant. The advantage of using them was
slight.

Zimmerman. Cracker. and Hitchcock (16) were the first to find a spe-
cific chemical that definitely aided rooting. When carbon monoxide gas
was used on the stems of some plants, rooting occurred. Because of the
toxicity of the gas to workers. it could not be used commercially.

The discovery that indoleacetic acid was an excellent root-forming
substance led to its practical use in the rooting of cuttings (1).

COOper (2) was the first to use lanolin with indoleacetic acid in plant

propagation. He treated the apical portions of lemon cuttings with the
paste which stimulated root formation. Zimmerman and Wilcoxon (17) found
many widely differing chemical substances to be effective in root forma~
tion on cuttings. such as a—naphthaleneacetic acid. indolepropionic acid.
phenylprOpionic acid. and phenylacetic acid. Hitchcock and Zimmerman (11)
listed the effects of various crystalline acids by soaking the cuttings
in a dilute solution of the chemicals for a number of hours. This re-
search stimulated the develoPment of other new methods in treating
cuttings and the discovery of many new compounds which proved active in
root formation.

.According to.Avery et al (1) the use of a honmone powder was first
described by Grace. The ease of application and the wide range of ef-
fectiveness caused this method to become pOpular as well as practical.
Later a “quick dip” method. using a concentrated solution of the dif-
ferent hormones. was developed by Hitchcock and.Zimmerman (12). .At
present the maJority of the commercial preparations appear on the market
in the powder form. They contain either indolebutyric acid. naphthalene
acetamdde. or naphthaleneacetic acid in talc. or various mixtures of
these compounds and their derivatives.

Materials other than growth regulating substances have been tested
for their use as aids to rooting. Vitamins. carbohydrates, amino acids.
and nitrogen compounds have been investigated for their comparative in-
fluence in the rooting of cuttings without significant results.

Regardless of the treatment given cuttings with growth substances.
the first essential for successful root formation was considered to be

the control of the prOpagaticm.house environment. Unless the new plants

were given special care. the addition of any root-inducing hormone was
useless. Cuttings which rooted easily under the prOper environment would
respond to auxin treatment. Those difficult-to-root plants were encour-
aged to form roots only under Special conditions.

Specific methods were deve10ped to encourage root formation. Dostal
(6) found that a healthy callus tissue was formed on the basal portions
of apple cuttings when they were wrapped with filter paper moistened in
a dilute solution of indoleacetic acid. After wintering. these cuttings
deve10ped.buds and roots. Gardner (8) etiolated the growing points of
apple shoots with black paper. Later the shoots were removed and they
were rooted as cuttings with success.

Air-layering. as previously mentioned, was a.means of rooting
stiffly-erect or difficult-to-root plants. ‘A selected shoot was scari-
fied, ringed. or partially cut at the point where roots were expected to
deve10p. A.moist medium was wrapped.around the area, tied with a string
or some binding material. and.kept watered during the process of root
formation. Sometimes a paper would.be tied around the dressing to con-
serve moisture. Later a flower pot was split lengthwise and tied.around
the rooting medium for support as well as an aid in watering.

workers in the United States Bureau of Plant Industry made use of a
”marcottage' box of paraffin-coated.paper or metal with notched or slotted
ends. It permitted less frequent watering during the period of root for-
matim. Once the air-layer was rooted, the shoot was severed from the
mother plant. the marcot box.removed, and the new plant placed in soil
for further development. Many stems of stiff-growing plants could be

rooted in this manner.

Gossard (9) wrapped pecan shoots to be marcotted with adhesive tape.
Later the tape was removed and indolebutyric acid was injected with a
toothpick where roots would form. A moist dressing was applied and suc-
cessful rooting resulted.

Thakerta and Dutt (13) used a three percent solution of indoleacetic
acid an ringed.Mango (Mangifera indica)marcots. When they were removed
from the mother plant, they were soaked again for 2% hours before planting.
Successful results were obtained from two and three year old.Mangifera
iggig§_trees.

COOper (3) painted the girdle of Qag§g_and Cinchona marcots with
five milligrams per milliliter of indolebutyric acid in 50 percent alcohol.
Moist sphagnum moss was used to wrap the marcot. He obtained 66 percent
rooting with.§g£gp_and 100 percent success with Cinchona air-layers.

Grove (10) found that air—layering the Lychee (M chinensis)
fruit tree was improved.by the use of the new plastic films. He used
'vitafilm". 'pliofilm", "polyethylene". and “polyvinyl" plastic films.
A.methods patent was applied for by Grove under the trade name of 'Airwrap"
and was finally granted to him four years later.

Creech (h) of the United States Department of Agriculture station
at Glendale, Maryland. used ”polythene“ film on Rhododendron air-layers
with success.

Hyman (15) described the properties of "polyethylene“ film, showing
its permeability to gases and its moisture-holding function. He pointed
out that polyethylene was deve10ped from high polymers of ethylene with
generic names of either "polythene" or "polyethylene". and found under

trade names such as ”Alathon". ”Howard Seal". "Pearlon". "Tralon',

"Visqueen", and others. Nyman secured ”Dura Clear" of 0.004 inch thick-
ness from the Harwid Company, Cambridge, Massachusetts. to use in this
series of air-layers. The important properties of this film were the
high permeability to gases. such as carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen,
and hydrogen. and its low permeability to moisture.

The method of air-layering was described as follows. A deep two-
inch upward cut was made on the twig where rooting was desired, Both
cut surfaces were dusted with "Hormodin No. 3” hormone powder. A.hand-
ful of moist sphagnum moss was packed around the cut, entirely covering
it. Polyethylene film was wrapped carefully and tightly at the top and
bottom of the layer, where Scotch electrical tape No. 33 was recommended
to seal the bag, starting on the twig and.spiraling over the tight por-
tions of the film. This method would protect the dressing from the rainy
weather.

Hyman reported on 130 species of woody plants on which.air-layers
rooted.with fair success. Most of the work was done on outdoor plants
late in April or July. 1951, and were examined in October of the same
year. The majority were well callused and the percent rooted varied

with the species.

MATERIAIS AHD METHODS

Some air-layers were tried on herbaceous plants with excellent suc-
cess using polyethylene film as a wrapper. Six new plants were developed
from eight air-layers placed on one gydrangea macrophylla plant (Figure 1).

Further eXperiments on varieties of Hydrangea macrophylla. Pelargonium

domesticum, and Croton (Codiaeum :ariegatum) for the purpose of determining

 

the prOper time to remove the new plant from the parent (Figure 2). .A
few of the air-layers were removed soon after roots were observed under
the film. The plastic was discarded and the entire ball of moss and
roots was planted in good soil. The sphagnum was moist and the roots
were white and tender. In all cases the new plants continued growth as
though undisturbed. Other air-layers were left on the parent plants for
several weeks after roots were observed growing under the film before they
were removed and planted in good soil. In these cases the roots were dark
brown. thin, and.dry—1ooking. The sphagnum moss was very dry. Out of ten
air—layers, only one continued growth after planting in the soil. The
maJority of the mature leaves turned.yellow and died.before good growth
was resumed in this plant. The results of these preliminary trials would
indicate that the time to remove the new plant from the parent should be
soon after roots were observed growing under the plastic: that is, before
the new roots exhausted the moisture supply from the moss and subsequently
died from lack of water.

An attempt was made to root herbaceous cuttings in a similar wrap of

either polyethylene or polyvinyl film using sphagnum moss for a rooting

medium. Trials were made to determine the size and shape of the plastic
films that would.be necessary for good root formation on cuttings (Figure
3). The amount of moisture loss in grams was recorded from each sample
daily. The quantity of sphagnum moss needed to root a cutting was
considered.

The actual weight in grams of selected samples each day for a six?
day period was kept and their averages recorded in Table I. This study
showed that a successfully rooted cutting should weigh at least 50 grams
gross to prevent the necessity of adding water to the package (Figure h).

After these preliminary trials materials were selected.and a method
of procedure planned which seemed to fit the average herbaceous cutting.
Polyethylene film of 0.00M inch thickness, under the trade name of IVis-
queen". was secured from the Visking Corporation. Terre Haute. Indiana.
Polyvinyl film of similar thickness, under the trade name of 'Airwrap".
was secured from the Agriplast Company, Sarasota. Florida. Sphagnum
moss was purchased from the local garden supply. Rubber ties were se-
lected for the first experiment to fasten the films around the moss-
embedded cuttings. Later. rubber bands were used to form the package.

Each Operation for wrapping a single cutting included the following
materials: one square of polyethylene or polyvinyl film. size 7 inches
by 7 inches or 9 inches by 9 inches in the latter film: a handful of
moist sphagnum moss which had.been allowed to soak in water overnight;

a rubber tie of the type used in grafting work; and individual cuttings
from Chrysanthemum morifolium, Begonia semperflorens. Dianthus canyo-
phyilus. Egphorbia pulcherrima, Pelargonium domesticum, Fuchsia hybrida.

Antirrhium majus, and Coleus blumei varieties. which are listed in

 

"Plant Materials Used".

10

EXPERIMENT I. Plastic wrap for individual cuttings

.A bench was prepared in the Nursery Craps House. One-half of
the bench was reserved for bench cuttings. used for controls and placed
in the bench at random in four inches of vermiculite. Excess moisture
was squeezed from a handful of moist Sphagnum moss and.placed on the
square of film. .A cutting trimmed in the usual manner suited for the
prepagation bench was nestled nearly to the bottom of the rooting medium
(Figure 5). The sides of the plastic square were lifted and a rubber tie
placed around the top of the newly-formed bag (Figure 6). The wrapped
cutting was placed in the propagation bench on inverted pots and beside
the control cutting. An attempt was made to regulate the relative humi-
dity within the bench. An overhead frame was cmstructed and a large
sheet of polyethylene film was drawn over the top. housing both the
benched and the bagged cuttings. The t0p of the film was slit in order
to ventilate the bench when it was needed. .A thermostatic control regu—
lated the temperature in the Nursery Craps House to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Two fluorescent lamps. each containing two MO-Watt daylight tubes were
suspended over the bench to supplement the limited light. These cuttings
were placed in the bench in groups according to the species for easy
observation.

During the warm summer months a refrigerated storage room in the
same building was used in order to control the temperature. The room
was cleaned thoroughly. Four shelves were installed. two feet wide by
ten feet long. to support the bagged.plants. Two ho-Watt fluorescent
units were suspended 1h inches above each shelf (Figure 7). The temp

perature was controlled by a cooling unit. The thermostat was

ll

regulated to give a constant temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The
percent relative humidity was increased by flooding the floor of the
storage with water daily to overcome the drying effect of the cooling
unit fan. The cuttings were wrapped in the same manner as the plants

in the bench. except for rubber bands which were used to secure the film

instead of ties.

smmvr II. Plastic wrap for seedlings

Further work was planned to determine the feasibility of growing
vegetables and flowers from seed.for transplanting outside. using a
plastic wrap and sphagnum moss. Common garden varieties of ngetes
31:313. Petunia hybrida.‘ gchpersicon 5p, and Capsicum gossum. which
are listed in ”Plant Materials Used". were selected. Seeds were planted
in greenhouse flats of sphagnum moss, of vermiculite. and of muck soil.
When the young seedlings were about three inches in height. they were
packaged in squares of film and moss wrapped in a similar manner to the
cuttings described in EXperiment I. The moss was treated with a 10-5-5
analysis liquid.fertilizer at the rate of'5 cubic centimeters for each
plant. The packaged seedlings were placed.in a greenhouse bench under
conditions favorable to good growth for a period.of three weeks. At the

end of this time the plants were transplanted to the field.

EXPERIMENT III. Plastic wrap for greenhouse pots
Polyethylene_squares were placed around h- and 6-inch pots of

Eglargonium zonale and gydrangea macrophylla in.an attempt to censerve
the moisture loss from greenhouse potted plants (Figure 8). The film

was secured with a rubber tie placed around the basal portion of the

12

plant. The plants were placed in a window of a room which averaged a
temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit and a relative humidity which ap-
proximated normal summer home conditions. The plants were not watered
during the experiment. Daily observations of these plants were made to
determine the maximum time before the plants would require additional

moisture for good growth and further deveIOpment.

EIPERIMERIT IV. Plastic roll for cuttings
At the suggestion of a grower an attempt was made to root a group
of cuttings in 3 by 1!- inch spaces. using a plastic package which could
be shipped in live plant boxes without additional packaging (Figure 9).
Preliminary trials were made and a roll package was deveIOped using 26

cuttings (Figure 10). Varieties of Chrysanthemum morifolium. Indianapolis

 

Yellow and Mefo White. and mixed varieties of Dianthus caryoggyllus were

 

used in the first part of this experiment. Later rolls of 50 and 100
cuttings were prepared using such Chrysanthemum morifolium varieties
as Thyra White and Thyra Bronze. Barcarole. Cassandra. Encore. and
Cavalcade. Some disease deveIOped in the closely packed.leaf areas.
Further tests were made in an effort to overcome this difficulty and.ss
a result. a cone-shaped roll was developed.

The method.of rolling the cuttings was as follows: a strip of
plastic film 9 by 18. 36. or 72 inches long. depending upon the number
of cuttings used. was placed on the table. Sphagnum moss. moistened
overnight. was squeezed lightly to remove the excess water and.spread
evenly over one-half of the width of the film. The cuttings were

trimmed in the usual manner and placed with their basal portions on the

13

moss one inch to one and one-half inches apart. the leaf areas extending
beyond the edge of the plastic (Figure 11). The other half of the plas-
tic film was folded over the stems of the cuttings. Starting at one end
of the film. the materials were rolled gently and firmly into a compact
roll (Figure 12). Two rubber bands were placed around the plastic to
keep the roll intact. Holding the roll with one hand. the bottom of

the package was pushed upward in the center with a winding motion.
working the package into a cone-shaped roll. The roll was placed on

an inverted flower pot of a proper size to allow the package to stand
firmly upon the prepagation bench (Figure 13)., The percent relative
humidity of the house was kept high to prevent wilting. The temperature
ranged from 55 degrees at night to 70 degrees Fahrenheit in the daytime.
Occasionally a fine mist spray was applied to the leaf areas to hold the
cuttings turgid. When rooted, they were placed in live plant boxes and

shipped to various destinations for observations.

EXPERIMENT V. Storage

The possibility of storing this portable roll package of rooted
cuttings for the purpose of arresting growth was considered. Prelim-
inary'plans were made and a storage room secured in which the temper-
ature could be controlled accurately.

One roll of 26 rooted cuttings of Chrysanthemum morifolium. variety
Mefo White. and.one roll of 26 rooted cuttings of Dianthus caryophyllum.
mixed.varieties. were placed in unlighted storage for a period of one
month in a temperature of 31 to 3k degrees Fahrenheit. At the end of
this time they were removed from storage and.the rooted plants were

placed in three-inch pots of soil beside freshly rooted cuttings of the

1%

same varieties. All of the Chrysanthemum morifolium plants were soft
pinched at the proper time and growth continued for a month. At this
time observations were made on the growth and.deve10pment of all plants.
Rooted cuttings of Chrysanthemum morifolium, varieties Thyra.Bronze.
Barcarole. Encore. Mefo White. and Cassandra, and rooted cuttings of
Dianthus cggyophyllus. varieties Jumbo Cardinal, Mohawk. Miller's Yellow.
and White Sim. were placed in unlighted storage at a temperature ranging
from 31 degrees to 3h degrees Fahrenheit on March 1. 1953. in an effort
to control stretching over a maximum.period. 0n.April 1 they were thor-

oughly watered. On May 1. 1953. the entire lot was removed from storage.

RESULTS

Experiment I

This experiment with controlled environmental conditions indicated
that the usual prOpagation house of high relative humidity with an
average temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit was suitable for the
rooting of cuttings in individual plastic packages. Table II was kept
to record the time required to root the cuttings in plastic film compared
to the normal bench cuttings. The period of rooting of the plastic
wrapped packages in the artificially lighted storage room during the
sumer months was recorded in Table III. No watering of the wrapped
plants was necessary during the process of rooting. The time of rooting
and the quality of the roots were observed easily by looking at the bottom .
of the plastic bags (Figure 11.1). The wrapped cuttings rooted in the same
period. or in some cases faster. than the bench cuttings. Disease was ob-
served in three plants which were wrapped in plastic film. whereas sixty
bench cuttings were destroyed by fungi during this period. Rooted cuttings
of Chrysanthemum morifolium. varieties Indianapolis yellow and Thanksgiving
Day Pink. and Dianthus carypphyllus. varieties Radio Red and Olympic Red.
when potted in soil did not wilt. but continued growth as though undis-
turbed. Rooted single cuttings were planted in soil without any signs

Of interrupted growth.

Eacperiment II

The well-formed ball of roots in sphagnum moss on the seedlings

16

transplants of Lycopersicon sp. and ggpsicum grossum simplified the pro-
cess of setting in the soil. No wilting was observed in the field plants

and they grew well in the field.

Experiment III
Flowering gglarggnium zonale and hydrangea macrophylla plants re-
tained their turgidity for a period of twenty-one days without watering
before showing symptoms of moisture deficiency when the pots were wrapped
in polyethylene film. The symptoms of moisture deficiency observed.were

wilting. yellowing, and necrosis of the leaves in both cases.

Experiment IV

An environment of high relative humidity and temperatures ranging
from 55 degrees during the night and to 70 degrees Fahrenheit in the
daytime was suitable for the rooting of cuttings in roll packages of
26. 50. and 100 cuttings in each roll. The cone-shaped roll kapt
disease and death of the cuttings to a minimum (Figure 15). The shipped
packages in live plant boxes. even in the three- and four-day shipments.
when Opened. were observed to be free from disease and wilt (Figure 16).
When water was withheld from the plants after the cuttings were rooted.
the plants hardened off. eventually wilted and died. When watered once

each week. the plants retrained succulent and continued growth.

EXperiment V
The preliminary storage trial on rooted cuttings of Chrysanthemum
morifolium. variety Mefo white. and Dianthus carypphyllus. mixed varie-

ties, indicated that the plastic roll package was suitable for storage

17

over a period of one month. When these plants were grown on. beside
freshly rooted cuttings of the same varieties. the difference in growth
and development was noticeable. The stored Chrysanthemum morifolium
plants averaged four inches of growth above the newly-rooted variety.
Eleven Dianthus caryOphyllus storage treated plants were develoPing buds.
whereas the fresh—rooted cuttings remained vegetative.

Chrysanthemum morifolium and Dianthus caryophLllus varieties. listed
in Experiment V. after being held in unlighted storage with temperature
readings between 31 degrees to 334 degrees Fahrenheit for a period of two
months. were observed to be in growing ccndit ion. except five rolls which
showed wilt. These rolls were watered and the plants appeared succulent
within 214. hours. No stem-lengthening in any of the plants was observed
while in storage. The leaves remained a deep green color. The roots

appeared healthy. having formed many secmdary and tertiary roots.

SUMMARY

Herbaceous cuttings rooted well in moist sphagnum moss wrapped in
squares of plastic film. This method was similar to that used in the
air-layering technique. No watering was necessary during the period of
rooting.

Seedling plants grew to tranSplanting size in plastic wrappers with
the addition of a liquid fertilizer.

Planting Operations of rooted cuttings and seedling transplants
were simplified by the formation of a compact ball of undisturbed
roots.

Polyethylene film was used successfully to conserve moisture loss in
potted.p1ants.

Plastic rolls of multiple cuttings rooted well in a medium of moist
sphagnum moss. Shipments of rooted cuttings in plastic wrappers were
observed to be turgid and free from disease upon arrival at their des—
tination.

Plastic rolls of rooted cuttings remained in good condition.when
stored at 31 degrees to 3k degrees Fahrenheit in unlighted storage for

a period of two months.

Figure 1.
Eight air-layers placed on one Hydrangea morolhylla plant, using
polyethylene film for wrapping the sphagnum mess. The ends of each
wrapper were sealed with Scotch electrical tape, number 33. Six of

these air-layers, when rooted, were placed in good soil, deve10ping

into new plant s.

 

 

Figure 2.

A. Pelargonium domesticum plant with a plastic covered air-layer of
sphagnum moss placed upon the lower right branch. This section was re-
moved when roots were observed growing under the film. planted in good
soil, and develOped into the flowering condition during the same

season 0

 

 

Figure 3.

The propagation bench in the ltursery Crops House with the plastic
hood for creating high humidity partially removed to show the wrapped
cuttings rooting on inverted flower pots beside the bench cutting
used for controls. Two fluorescent units. each holding two MO-Watt

tubes, were suspended over the bench to supplement the limited day-

 

 

 

 

Figure h.

Four Dianthus caryqphyllus cuttings, rooted.in sphagnum noes.
wrapped in polyvinyl plastic. and four Chrysanthemum morifolium cuttings.
rooted in sphagnum moss wrapped in polyethylene film. When.wrapped.
each cutting weighed 50 grams. 0n the average each package lost one-

half a gram weight each day during the rooting period.

 

 

 

Figure 5.

‘A table used to wrap cuttings in the Nursery Crops House showing
Euphorbia pglcherrima cuttings, variety A. Ecke. and gycopersicon.gpL
transplants. variety Rutgers. resting in the uncovered humidifier tn
the background. A Pelargonium zonale cutting. variety Olympic Red,
prepared in the usual manner for prepagation, being nestled into moist
sphagnum moss. placed on a square of polyethylene film in preparatidl

for wrapping. is in the foreground.

 

 

 

 

Figure 6.

A table used to wrap cuttings in the Bursary CrOps House showing
rooted Euphorbia pulcherrima cuttings. variety Albert Ecke. and.§§£py
persicon Ep;_transplants. variety Rutgers. resting in the uncovered
humidifier in the background. we Pelargonium zonale cutting. variety
Olympic Red, prepared in the usual manner for prepagation. has been
nestled into moist sphagnum moss. placed on a square of polyethylene
film which is being lifted around the moss in preparation for tying

the newly-formed bag.

 

 

 

Figure 7.

The storage room in the Nursery CrOps House. in which plastic-
wrapped cuttings rest on benches. Fluorescent lights are suspended
over the cuttings for artificial illumination during the period of
root formation. Each unit contained two MAO-Watt tubes which were hung
1h inches above the plants. A cooling unit fan controlled the tempera-
ture from 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. The floor was flooded daily to

maintain high humidity.

 

 

 

Figure 8.
A flowering gydrangea macronhylla plant with a polyethylene wrapper
placed around the pot and tied with a band at the base of the plant to
control the moisture loss. This plant remained in good condition over

a period of three weeks without watering.

 

 

 

Figure 9

Three rolls of Chrysanthemum morifolium cuttings rooted.in moist

 

Sphagnum moss. enclosed in polyethylene and polyvinyl films. The out-
side rolls of 26 plants each will fit snugly in sections of grower's
live plant shipping containers. The center roll of fifteen rooted

cuttings would require a Special box for shipping.

 

 

 

Figure 10.
Plastic rolls of Chrysanthemum morifolium.Ԥt; Paulie s .. Dianthus

caryophyllus. and Pelargonium zonale rooted cuttings ready for shipping.

 

The type of materials used in this method.of propagation are placed an
the table. They include a strip of plastic film, moist sphagnum moss.

and a cutting placed in the proper position for the roll method.

 

bx

Kit‘u
.~-
‘\
‘I ‘\.I ..~.'

 

Figure 11.

Plastic rolls of Chrysanthemum morifolium and Iuanthus carygphyllus

 

 

cuttings ready for rooting. When the cuttings are placed on the moist
sphagnum moss one and one-half inches apart, the bare half of the strip
of film is folded over the basal portions of the cuttings. The package

is formed by rolling the materials from one end with the hands.

.

I:\’(. \‘d

 

 

Figure 12.
A roll of Pelargonium domesticum cuttings. placed in moist sphaguum
moss enclosed in polyvinyl film. ready for rooting. The package has been

formed into a cone-shaped roll for better spacing of the cuttings.

 

Figure 13.
A cone-shaped roll of Dianthus caryophyllus cuttings rooted in
moist sphagnum moss wrapped in polyvinyl film. Rubber bands secure
the roll which is placed on an inverted flower pot for rigid suppert

in the prOpagation bench.

 

Figure 11+.

A rooted Chqsanthempm morifolium cutting with the polyvinyl

 

wrapper removed showing the roots growing in the moist sphagnum ball.

.0.

, _ . . 1A
.. . 2.9.11 .5 waaflfltfiuéao t w
. affingfl ,3 O A» 3, OflC JO

.3 OCJe a .O

.3030.

 

Figure 15.

A cone-shaped roll of 50 Chrysanthemum morifolium cuttings free

 

of disease and rooting 100 percent in moist sphagnum moss, wrapped in

polyethylene film.

 

 

Figure 16.

Rolls of Coleus blumei and Chrysanthemum morifolium rooted cuttings.

 

which were sealed in live plant boxes for periods of time equal to long
distance shipments; when removed. appeared to be turgid and free from

disease.

 

 

TABEE I. The average weight in grams of plastic wrapped cuttings of dif-
ferent sized packages taken four times over a sixeday period to
determine the quantity of moist sphagnum moss needed to root

the cutting without adding water during the rooting period.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plantufizzerial May 12 15 16 18
Chrysanthemum morifolium

Francis X 52.1 51.2 50.h h9.9
Dianthus caryOphyllus

Mixed 51.0 50.6 50.3 50.2
Rosa odorata

Better Times 72.h 71.3 70.8 70.3

218.5 216.5 213.0 213.0

Euphorbia‘pulcherrima

Albert Ecke 200.0 200.0 - 199.7
Rhododendron spi (Azalea)

unknown 7u.6 mo 73.6 73.1
Antirrhium‘palgs

Hybrid 19: 13 (use) 61+.s 61+.o 63.3 63.2
gydrangea macrophylla

unknown 100.0 100.0 99.1 98.3

 

TABLE II. The rooting response of certain cuttings. placed in.moist
sphagnnm moss. wrapped in plastic film. compared with the
period of rooting required for the cuttings used for con-

trols that were placed directly in the bench of vermiculite

in the Nursery Crepe House.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plant Materials Number of Number of days after planting
Used cuttings 10 15 20 3O
(Cuttings wrapped in plastic packages)
Chrysanthemum morifolium
Indianapolis Yellow 25 15 10 0 25
Thanksgiving Day Pink 10 8 2 0 10
Francis K 20 3 15 l 19
Begonia semperflorens
Common 10 0 9 l 10
Antirrhium mains
Spartan Rose 60 10 3s 10 58
Total cuttings 125 36 7h 12 122
(Cuttings placed in bench for controls)
Chrysanthemum morifolium
Indianapolis Yellow 25 1M -- - 1h
Thanksgiving Day Pink 10 O 9 —- 15
Francis K 20 0 l5 - l5
Begonia semperflorens
Common 10 0 10 -- 10
Antirrhium majus
Spartan Rose 60 -- - -- 0
Total cuttings 125 1M 3M - hS

 

TABEE III. The number of days required to root certain varieties of
softwood cuttings wrapped in plastic films and placed on
the shelves of an artificially lighted storage room in
the Nursery Crepe House during the summer months of 1952.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plant materials Number Days after wrapping Total %
used of pkgs. 10 ll l2 13 1h 15 20 rooted

Euphorbia pulcherrima

Albert Ecke no 0' o o o 6 2 10 37 92.5
Pelargonium zonale

Radio Red 27 6 7 2 o o 8 0 an 89.0

Madonna 6 2 o 0 h o o o 6 100.0
Begonia semperflorens

Common 26 o s o 2 10 u 1 25 96.0
Fuchsia hybrida

unknown (red) 5 o o o 2 1 2 0 5 100.0
Dianthus carypphyllus

Mixed 3O 0 0 0 0 0 0 19 25 83.0
Chrysanthemum morifolium

Mefo White 2n n h 2 10 o 0 h at 100.0
Coleus blumei

unknown 52 M1 2 h 2 0 0 0 #9 9h.0
Total 210 53 21 s 20 17 16 3h 195 9h.o

 

Common name

 

Azalea. Florists

African Violet

Begonia. Perpetual
Begonia. Tuberoue

Carnation. Florist

Chrysanthemum. Florist

Coleus. Common

Fuchsia

Geranium

PLAZE‘ MATERIALS USED

Scientific name

Rhododendron sp.

 

Saintpaulia sp,

 

Begpnia‘sgmperflorens

Begpnia tuber-hybrids

Dianthus caryqphyllus

Chrysanthemum morifolium
(9;.Hortorum)

Coleus blumei

Fuchsia hybrida
(§;.speciosa)

Pelargonium zonale

I’d

. ggaveolens
. odoratissimum

. peltatum

. domesticum

 

'1!

 

I”!

"d

variety

Mentor Boy
Double Duchess
Pink Lady

Pink Adeline

Miller's Yellow
Jumbo Cardinal
Mohawk

White Sim

Juno

Mixed

Mefo White

Thyra White

Thyra Bronze

Encore

Indianapolis Yellow
Indianapolis White
Thanksgiving Day Pink
Francis K

Barcarole

Cassandra

Cavalcade

unknown

Black Prince

Better Times
Madonna

Salmon Supreme
Radio Red
Olympic Red
Rose Leaf
Nutmeg

Ivy Leaf

Lady washington

memon name

 

Mdrangea. Big leaf

Ivy. Groundsel. German
Ivy. English

Ivy. Grape

Ivy. Boston; Japanese
Lantana. Common
Marigold

Petunia. Common
Poinsettia

Pepper

Philodendron

Rose. Florist

Snapdragon

Snake plant

Tomato

Wandering Jew

Scientific name

Hyprangea macrophylla
(H; hortensis. .I_I_._ opuloides)

Senecio mikanoides

Hedera helix

 

Vitis rhombifolia
Parthenocissus tricuspidata
Lantana camaga

Tagetes patula

Petunia hybrida

nghorbia pglcherrima
Qgpsicum‘gggssum
Philodendron cordatum

Rosa odorata

 

Antirrhium madus

Sansevieria zeylanica

gycopersicon sp.

Tradescantia sp.

variety
unknown

unknown

unknown

unknown

unknown

unknown

Harmony

Celestial Rose
Albert Ecke
California Wonder
unknown

Better Times
Spartan Rose
Helen Tobin
Rockwood Pink-Supreme
unknown

Rutgers

Ground cherry
Early Chatham

unknown

10.

ll.

12.

13.

1h.

IJTERATURE CITED

Avery. Jr.. G. 5.. Elizabeth B. Johnson. Ruth M. Addoms. and Betty F.
Thompson. 19h7. Hormones and Horticulture. McGraw-Hill Book

Company. Inc. pp. 1k—17.

COOper. W. C. 1935. Hormones in relation to root formation on stem
cuttings. Plant Physiol. 10: 789-79h.

———. l9hh. The vegetative prepagation of Derris and Loncho-
carpus with the aid of growth substances. Botan. Gaz. 106: 1-12.

 

Creech. J. L. 1950. Air-layering a Rhododendron hybrid. National
Horticultural Magazine. July. 1950.

Darwin. 0.. and F. Darwin. 1880. The power of movement in plants.
London. 592 pp. Reprinted 1888. New York.

Dostal. R. l9h2. The importance of growthpproducing substances for
slip-rooting of the gooseberry and of the apple (Cox's Heinette).
Sbornik Ceskoslov..Akad. Temerdekske. 17: 2-7.

Duhamel du Monceau. 1758. La physique des arbres. Paris. 1758.

'Gardner, F. E. 1937. Etiolation as a method of rooting apple variety

stem cuttings. Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 3h: 323-329.

Gossard. Am C. 19h2. Root and shoot production by young pecan trees
treated with indolebutyric acid at the time of transplanting. Proc.
Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. Ml: 161-166.

Grove. W. R. l9h7. Prepagation of the Lychee. Proc. of the Florida
Hort. Soc. 19h7. '

Hitchcock. A. E. and P. w. Zimmsrman. 1936. Effect of growth sub-
stances on the rooting response of cuttings. Contrib. Boyce Thomp-
son Inst. 8: 63-79.

Hitchcock. A. E. and P. W. Zimmerman. 1939. Comparative activity of
root-inducing substances and.methods for treating cuttings. Contrib.
Boyce Thompson Inst. 10: h61—M80.

Thakurta. Am G.. and.B. K; Dutt. l9hl. Vegetative propagation of
mango from gootes (marcotte) and cuttings by treatment with high
concentration auxin. Current Sci. (India) 10: 297.

Went. F. W.. and H. V. Thimann. 1937. Phytohormones. The MacMillan
Company. New York. pp. 185-180.

l5. Hyman. D. 1952. Air layering with polythene film. Journal of the
Royal Horticultural Society. London. .April. 1952. pp. 135-1M0.

16. Zimmerman. P. W.. W. Crocker. and.A. E. Hitchcock. 1933. Initiation
and stimulation of roots from exposure of plants to carbon monoxide
gas. Contrib. Boyce Thompson Inst. 5: 1-17.

17. Zimmerman. P. W. and F. Wilcoxon. 1935. Several chemical growth
substances which cause initiation of roots and other responses in
plants. Contrib. Boyce Thompson Inst.. 7: 209-229.

 

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