Keffkas Seedsman Comparative: Purple Ghost Candy

[JiggiLotus]

'acidic alkaline soil'
that don't make sense to me

I'm not sure either .. I think you should plant that thing outside give it a good morning water and let it get some sunshine and see what it does. They're not a container plant in my opinion.

 

[Keffka]

I'm not sure either .. I think you should plant that thing outside give it a good morning water and let it get some sunshine and see what it does. They're not a container plant in my opinion.

To be fair, neither is cannabis, yet people flower out 1 and 2 gallon containers constantly.

I have a feeling however that in order for the azalea to like the container it needs to be by itself. Currently there are three main stems rising out of the container. I would’ve put one maybe two at the max if it was me.

I also am assuming it’s like cannabis in that, if you let it sit in a plastic container for too long it will begin choking itself out. It’s such a pain in the ass getting plants from stores, there’s almost always an issue. I’m gonna document cloning the bush and run half outside in front of the house, and half inside in fabrics. I imagine I can containerize this plant effectively if I do it myself from the beginning and keep the numbers lower.

 

[Gee64]

To be fair, neither is cannabis, yet people flower out 1 and 2 gallon containers constantly.

I have a feeling however that in order for the azalea to like the container it needs to be by itself. Currently there are three main stems rising out of the container. I would’ve put one maybe two at the max if it was me.

I also am assuming it’s like cannabis in that, if you let it sit in a plastic container for too long it will begin choking itself out. It’s such a pain in the ass getting plants from stores, there’s almost always an issue. I’m gonna document cloning the bush and run half outside in front of the house, and half inside in fabrics. I imagine I can containerize this plant effectively if I do it myself from the beginning and keep the numbers lower.

It may be a synthetic junkie jonesing for some ferts too.

 

[JiggiLotus]

Hey touche' I bet it would definitely benefit from being singled out into a fabric pot. Good thinking.

 

[Keffka]

It may be a synthetic junkie jonesing for some ferts too.

That… could be very possible. I’m seeing conflicting signs which usually tells me root/medium issue. Once I transplant them into some of my canna soil that should ease their container problems. I know if I put them in the ground they’ll be fine but there’s no challenge in that. I wanna see what I can make them do in a container with better gardening skills.

Hey touche' I bet it would definitely benefit from being singled out into a fabric pot. Good thinking.

Thank you. Cannabis really doesn’t like being pushed past its container limits. You can make a one gallon produce a huge plant but the roots won’t be able to be big enough to fully feed the plant. I think I’m seeing similar here. Too much plant for the tiny container.

 

[Keffka]

The male plants are getting close to being pulled out of the tent

I’m in the middle of taking the poles out. I’m cutting the corners on the floor piece to let it all lay flat. I’m also in the process of bending down the second tall plant. I’ve removed half the growth tips I won’t use from 3 of the plants. Depending on what I see tomorrow I’ll do the other halves and plant then or wait a couple days.

Once everyone is cleaned up and reset I will take individual plant pictures with better angles

 

[Keffka]

I remember when we found out my cousins boyfriend was hitting the kids on this day a few years ago. He left town pretty quickly and no one has seen or heard from him since. If I were a gambling man, I’d wager he won’t be seen again.

I don’t and won’t understand calling the cops when there are intelligent, capable adults in your life that won’t drag your entire life through the courts and news. That’s IF they ever even prosecute to begin with. We have no real justice here, and to pretend otherwise is to fail those who trust you to protect them.

 

[SmokingWings]

I have a feeling however that in order for the azalea to like the container it needs to be by itself. Currently there are three main stems rising out of the container. I would’ve put one maybe two at the max if it was me.

The Azalea is part of the Rhododendron family. Those two plants prefer an acidic soil which is why so many recommendations for mulching with pine and/or evergreen needles.

Based on my experiences with greenhouse grown Geraniums and what I read on propagation of these various flowering plants I would not be surprised at all if the main stems are just cuttings with minimal roots. And, most likely the medium is a peat moss or coco coir potting mix with very little dirt or compost mixed in. Some sort of slow release pellet fertilizer is added to the soil mix to get the plants through one short season and then the purchaser can toss them into the trash.

Come early August I will check what is on the curb on trash day. Used to be that I would be looking for nicer flower pots. Now, for the past several years I have grabbed the pots and then would spend the rest of the season rescuing the half dead plants in them. I often had the feeling that the person had tossed the plants for no other reason than they became tired of the often daily watering in the summer heat. Geraniums were common and once I babied them back to health I would start transplanting into pots with the same potting mix I use for everything else including my Cannabis garden. My current success from last year's rescue are some really nice looking Dahlia with a purple centered and white frill edged flower.

When ready to transplant it is easy to check if they are three cuttings. You could nurse them through the transplanting and then they can become mother plants for next year's Mother's Day.

 

[Keffka]

The Azalea is part of the Rhododendron family. Those two plants prefer an acidic soil which is why so many recommendations for mulching with pine and/or evergreen needles.

Based on my experiences with greenhouse grown Geraniums and what I read on propagation of these various flowering plants I would not be surprised at all if the main stems are just cuttings with minimal roots. And, most likely the medium is a peat moss or coco coir potting mix with very little dirt or compost mixed in. Some sort of slow release pellet fertilizer is added to the soil mix to get the plants through one short season and then the purchaser can toss them into the trash.

Come early August I will check what is on the curb on trash day. Used to be that I would be looking for nicer flower pots. Now, for the past several years I have grabbed the pots and then would spend the rest of the season rescuing the half dead plants in them. I often had the feeling that the person had tossed the plants for no other reason than they became tired of the often daily watering in the summer heat. Geraniums were common and once I babied them back to health I would start transplanting into pots with the same potting mix I use for everything else including my Cannabis garden. My current success from last year's rescue are some really nice looking Dahlia with a purple centered and white frill edged flower.

When ready to transplant it is easy to check if they are three cuttings. You could nurse them through the transplanting and then they can become mother plants for next year's Mother's Day.

Yeah the medium is awful, a spongy mass that I can’t really pierce very well let alone push a finger into easily. If it were a bigger plant I’d think it was root bound.

There are random bits of organic refuse like non composted twigs. The three main stems rise up almost perfectly as if they were placed in there as three cuttings evenly spaced.

The plant has lasted a little over a month so far, so the timing is just about right for it to start failing so I run off to the store and buy the cure for the sickness they caused. It does seem to be bouncing back a bit now that it’s had RO water in its tiny pot and the suns shining.

I’ll rescue it and turn it into a bunch of big ass bushes.

 

[Azimuth]

Yeah the medium is awful, a spongy mass that I can’t really pierce very well let alone push a finger into easily. If it were a bigger plant I’d think it was root bound.

There are random bits of organic refuse like non composted twigs. The three main stems rise up almost perfectly as if they were placed in there as three cuttings evenly spaced.

The plant has lasted a little over a month so far, so the timing is just about right for it to start failing so I run off to the store and buy the cure for the sickness they caused. It does seem to be bouncing back a bit now that it’s had RO water in its tiny pot and the suns shining.

I’ll rescue it and turn it into a bunch of big ass bushes.

I've been reading up on cloning yard plants as I plan to make a project of that this season, and azaleas are on the list of those that I want to propagate. I’ve got a list of about a dozen different shrubs and trees I'm going to try to root which include blueberry, holly, jap maple, etc.

I want to see if my cloning approach will translate to woodier plants, though I don't see any reason it won't.

I'll be interested in your process and results from your try at the azaleas.

 

[Keffka]

I've been reading up on cloning yard plants as I plan to make a project of that this season, and azaleas are on the list of those that I want to propagate. I’ve got a list of about a dozen different shrubs and trees I'm going to try to root which include blueberry, holly, jap maple, etc.

I want to see if my cloning approach will translate to woodier plants, though I don't see any reason it won't.

I'll be interested in your process and results from your try at the azaleas.

I read about taking newer, less woody growth. I saw a guy root azalea branches by dipping them in aloe then planting it into a banana piece then buried it. 30 days later he had some decent roots going. Enough for a viable transplant outdoors.

 

[Azimuth]

For outdoor plants, the ideal time to take the cuttings is 6 weeks after leaf out, though with azaleas your cue will have to be from other plants since they don't lose their leaves in winter.

So, essentially firmed up new growth. These are softwood cuttings and are the easiest to root and much like rooting cannabis I suspect.

The later you go into the season the more it turns from softwood to semi-hardwood and then hardwood which are actually better taken after the plants go dormant in the late fall after the first killing frost. For those, you plant basically sticks, leave them outside and the root nubs callous over and then new roots form the following spring as the weather warms.

Also, except for the hardwood versions, rooting powder really helps increase your percentage successful "stick" rate.

 

[SmokingWings]

I've been reading up on cloning yard plants as I plan to make a project of that this season, and azaleas are on the list of those that I want to propagate. I’ve got a list of about a dozen different shrubs and trees I'm going to try to root which include blueberry, holly, jap maple, etc.

If not yet on the list consider adding Forsythia and Privet (as in Privet hedge plants). There are several others I have played around with but I can't remember the names at the moment.

 

[Azimuth]

Forsythia is on the list, but that's almost like cheating those are so easy. Also red and yellow twigged dogwood, and a bunch of others.

I also have a bunch of things that are better propagated as divisions like hosta, stinging nettle, comfrey, and the like.

I always seem to need a new project going, and I think I've got my Jadam stuff down, so I'm off on another quest.

 

[SmokingWings]

I always seem to need a new project going,

Been there -- done that. Doing it again this week while planting veggie seeds for transplanting in a couple of weeks.

 

[Gee64]

For outdoor plants, the ideal time to take the cuttings is 6 weeks after leaf out, though with azaleas your cue will have to be from other plants since they don't lose their leaves in winter.

So, essentially firmed up new growth. These are softwood cuttings and are the easiest to root and much like rooting cannabis I suspect.

The later you go into the season the more it turns from softwood to semi-hardwood and then hardwood which are actually better taken after the plants go dormant in the late fall after the first killing frost. For those, you plant basically sticks, leave them outside and the root nubs callous over and then new roots form the following spring as the weather warms.

Also, except for the hardwood versions, rooting powder really helps increase your percentage successful "stick" rate.

Most brands of rooting hormone have specific products for soft, semi-hard, and hard wood (insert viagra joke here )

 

[Keffka]

Most brands of rooting hormone have specific products for soft, semi-hard, and hard wood (insert viagra joke here )

That makes me inclined to go with aloe vera over rooting powder. I’ll try both. I’ve seen aloe vera prove to be effective and I’d prefer to use it since I can grow it myself but I won’t force it. I’ve also heard honey could work well which I can see.

 

[Azimuth]

The commercial growers use Dip 'N Grow which you can mix to the three different strengths via dilution.

Honey is an antimicrobial which is thought to work by keeping the nasties at bay long enough for the plant to root.

Aloe has salicylic acid which is thought to work via another path.

I tried aloe and willow among other things in my cloning thread but didn't have great results.

 

[Gee64]

The commercial growers use Dip 'N Grow which you can mix to the three different strengths via dilution.

Honey is an antimicrobial which is thought to work by keeping the nasties at bay long enough for the plant to root.

Aloe has salicylic acid which is thought to work via another path.

I tried aloe and willow among other things in my cloning thread but didn't have great results.

The trick is to not use too much. Its a hormone, all it needs to do is send a signal. Too much burns things.

 

[JiggiLotus]

Can honey be used to help sweeten the plant while it flowers? Like the whole carbohydrates sacarin additive would do?