I began plant propagation experimenting with a date palm. At about 10 years old, I got a pit from a dried date and decided to plant it to try to grow a palm tree. I covered the pit with dirt and set my flowerpot in a sunny window. I watered and waited. After many weeks, actually it turned into months, the pot remained unchanged. I figured my seed was dead so I dug into the pot. To my great delight, the pit had sprouted and was sending up a shoot. I filled the soil back in and eventually witnessed the emergence of a mini palm tree complete with leafy fronds. I guess that success hooked me!
I have grown quite a few trees since then. From its fruit I have grown a paw paw tree, a Hardy Orange, and an Osage tree. In addition to those three, our yard includes some sassafras trees and a mulberry, as well as Rose of Sharon, barberry and grape holly shrubs that were raised from replanted saplings or cuttings. Some of our evergreens came from the north and from Forest Department saplings given away at the New York State Fair. Many of our woodland perennials grew from transplants from elsewhere or were shared by gardening friends. Once established, a lot of these kinds of plants naturalize again on their own and fill in large areas or they can be passed on to the next gardening friend.
Flag vine, and it’s one of my few seed successes this year.
Rooting plant cuttings yields the most reward for me. It’s so easy to snip a vine or side stem, plop it into water, and watch the roots appear! My husband collected antique glass bottles which now serve as lovely vases for my windowsill cuttings. My green thumb is much fainter however, when it comes to starting from seeds. I buy and plant seeds every year but few seem to make it all the way to the flowerbeds. Some germinate but I’ve discovered that growing to garden size is challenging. I understand why plant nurseries have to charge so much for annuals. I think an elegant glass conservatory would be the perfect place to tend my tiny plants and I discovered an abandoned greenhouse nearby, but somehow I’ve been unable to convince my husband that he should relocate it to our property!
The Bible says a lot about planting. Ancient cultures survived through cultivation. “Have your roots planted deep in Christ. Grow in Him. Get your strength from Him. Let Him make you strong in the faith as you have been taught. Your life should be full of thanks to Him.” (Colossians 2:7) The Apostle Paul explains that to be strong in faith, you have to grow a good root system. This takes effort and the right growing conditions. Getting to know God by reading the Bible, listening to teaching from Scripture, and being around others who have Christian faith will give you a healthy growth spurt.
I also love how the first Psalm paints a vivid image of a vigorous tree to describe the life of strong faith. https://www.bible.com/bible/111/PSA.1.NIV
Footnote: The cuttings photograph credit goes to my daughter.