GREENBRIER COUNTY W.Va. (WVDN) – Becoming a fully certified master gardener takes 19 courses which cover a wide variety of topics. These courses cover a wide variety of subjects, including botany, native gardening, and pest control. These training sessions are a combination of online (Zoom) sessions and in-person training at the Greenbrier County Extension Office.
On Feb. 27, Donna and Myke Miles presented the training “propagation and grafting.” This two-hour class covered the full breadth of propagation, from seed gathering and planting root cuttings to the skill and art of grafting.
One tip Donna Miles shared was the instructions to make homemade rooting hormone. The recipe is as follows: Using willow branches pruned from trees or shrubs, cut branches into 3″-6″ pieces. Place in an old enamel or stainless steel stock pot. Cover the pieces with water and bring to a simmer. Turn off the heat and let the material steep for 24 hours. Strain the liquid, (it should be brown in color) into a glass container for storage. When ready to use, pour the liquid into a glass jar. Place your cuttings in the liquid and allow them to absorb the fluid for 8-12 hours before insertion in a sterile medium.
The training continued as Donna Miles instructed the group on how to use the rooting hormone to improve the odds of a successful cutting. Begin by dipping the cut end of the plant in the rooting hormone, then place the cutting in damp soil so that at least 1″ of the stem and at least one node are below the surface.The pitted cutting may be covered with clear plastic to create a mini-greenhouse. Place the planted cuttings in a bright location out of direct sunshine. Keep the soil moist by misting. A plant is ready for the garden when it has enough roots around the edge of the root ball to hold the medium together.
If you enjoy gardening and wish to learn more about becoming a master gardener, please contact Mary Dameron at the WVU Greenbrier County Extension office at 304-647-7408. Happy gardening!
