Lynne Cullen
At their September meeting, the Daylesford & District Horticultural Society (affectionately known as the “Hortis”) hosted a popular plant propagation workshop. Tables in the Senior Citizens’ room were covered in black plastic in preparation for a delightfully messy and productive event.
The guest speaker and facilitator was Pam Gleeson. Pam instructed the group on the best methods for achieving successful propagations and told of successes and failures she had experienced. Her demonstrations were particularly informative and prepared everyone for what was to come.
Plenty of cuttings to choose from. (Photo: Lynne Cullen)
There were numerous cuttings of plants from gardens of the Horti participants. Pam bought along many plant samples from her own garden in addition to those contributed by Horti members. There was a particular interest in taking cuttings from a Daphne. Some of the other cuttings came from westringia, penstemon, native daisy, hydrangea, salvia and other native and exotic plants. With so many to choose from, some difficult decisions had to be made.
Many Hortis attempted this on the night and it will be interesting to hear the outcomes in six months or so.
Members provided their own secateurs and there was much snipping and trimming taking place. The only thing that participants found difficult was cutting off the flowers for each cutting created– especially the daphne. Pots were then filled with the propagation mix supplied by the Horti committee. The cutting could then be dipped in a liquid rooting hormone or place directly into the pot. Most of the pots were then labelled with the wooden garden labels supplied. (Members who didn’t label their pots may regret it in six months time when they’re not sure what they’ve got!)
A few potted cuttings awaiting planting. (Photo: Lynne Cullen)
Horti members took home numerous potted cuttings to nurture over spring and summer. What a great way to fill your garden at little cost and with an enormous sense of achievement.
Thank you to Pam Gleeson for volunteering her expertise and for being such a positive and engaging presenter.
The Horticultural Society meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 7.30pm. Our next meeting will be Tuesday October 1st 7.30pm in the new venue at the Community Bank Facilities in Main Road Hepburn. New members are warmly welcomed and we invite people to still join for 2024. If you are interested email jbinnion6@bigpond.com for a membership form or come along to the next meeting. All welcome.
Lynne Cullen is a local resident and a committee member of the Daylesford and District Horticultural Society.
