Plant propagation at my farm: See more of what keeps the gardeners busy!
Even though winter is rapidly approaching, there is still so much for the gardeners to do. Fortunately for them, many of these tasks take place in the warmth of the greenhouses. Jodi and Erika have been busy with plant propagation. It’s so gratifying to obtain many new plants from just one or two originals, particularly when a plant is costly and rare, like my cycads.
Cycads are an ancient group of plants dating back millions and millions of years. In fact, fossils of cycads have been discovered, placing them on earth long before the dinosaurs. Often confused with palm trees and tree ferns, botanically speaking, cycads differ greatly from these plants. For one thing, they are dioecious, meaning that male and female reproductive structures are formed on separate plants, and reproduction is by seed. Cycads also have a pachycaul stem – one that looks like a woody trunk but is quite pithy and actually, contains very little true wood tissue.
Once prolific all around the globe, today, cycads are native to tropical and subtropical regions and only about 250 species still exist. Sadly, many of the remaining species are facing possible extinction. However, because of their stateliness and beautiful foliage, these remarkable plants have become highly desirable specimens in private and public gardens all around the world.
speaking of pups, where r the chow pups? do luv the cycads, i have 2 and appreciate their extraordinary history. i really love ur blog, full of so much fun stuff.
Posted by: charmayne Chandler | December 2nd, 2008 at 5:33 am
A lovely winter job and how very informative!
Posted by: Sherey | December 2nd, 2008 at 6:06 am
Fascinating. I had no idea. Ya learn something new everyday!
Posted by: Kari | December 2nd, 2008 at 6:15 am
Hi Martha!!
Love the blog!! Gardening, recipes, pets OH MY!!!
I thought you might see this sooner than emailing the "company". I've been making little gingerbread house ornaments for over 20 years. this year I opened an Etsy shop to try and sell them and have a portion of the proceeds go to our local foodbank. Only problem is they aren't getting noticed!!! If you took a look I'M sure you would love them. Id be happy to send one for one of your many trees!!! and maybe a word from you to the blog world would get the ball rolling. The food banks are at disasterous lows!!!
Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas!!!
Linda Blaze
Posted by: Linda Blaze | December 2nd, 2008 at 8:40 am
Gee whiz, Martha, these photos look just like a full-service greenhouse where plants are commercially sold! It's neat that you dabble in things like this - it DOES save money (but takes time!) propagating your own plants! As I said yesterday regarding your tree peonies (seed propagation), you're set up beautifully there at your farm with all the resources you need to be successful with these endeavors!
During yesterday's show within the segment on re-doing your terrace at Skylands (you had juuust begun explaining changing your color scheme), wouldn't you know that you got pre-empted by president-elect Obama's announcement of the assignment of some of his upcoming cabinet members(?!!) Now mind you, I know you're his avid supporter, but I'd've MUCH rather been watching YOU and seeing your upgrade, and sneaking peeks at your view out over Seal Harbor! (admittedly, I'm half whining/crying, here...) Edgar =^..^= and I were really disappointed!
Do keep us updated this winter with ANYTHING plant/garden/greenhouse related around your farm! - it'll be just like those trusty seed catalogs that arrive in January that we gardeners sooooo look forward to!...they help to sustain us 'til spring!
=^..^=
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | December 2nd, 2008 at 8:41 am
Dear Martha, Thank you for the wonderful pictures and article Remembering Big Martha. I loved the pictures, especially the one of Big Martha in her youth, wearing the striped dress. She was so beautiful. I always loved watching her on your shows. She was so much like the Polish women on my Mothers side. It was pretty amusing to watch her boss you around the way my Baka bossed her daughters when they were all grown up. It was like seeing my childhood again. Thank you so much. I miss Big Martha too.
Posted by: Susan Appleby | December 2nd, 2008 at 8:57 am
Hi Martha, Wow, another fascinating blog about what goes on at your farm. I love the winter work that Jodi and Erika are involved in. I've learned much from this blog and would love to do the propagating of the cycads, yucca, agave and succulents, but I don't have a greenhouse as yet. Got to get busy on that task. These photos are really great and very helpful. It looks like you have started a nursery on your farm and I can't wait to see how everything turns out. Thanks again for sharing. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | December 2nd, 2008 at 9:16 am
I didn't know what it was but I rescued a baby cycad from a torn up landscaping at a condo. It's small, about 3" tall w/ only one frawn. It's pitiful, really, but we get along well. Kindred spirits, we are. Nice to know how precious it really is. Thanks, Martha.
Posted by: tinay | December 2nd, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Martha,
I missed this show but I enjoyed the clip. On Wednesday's show, I thank Sarah Carey and you for showing us the recipe for the jelly roll. I have wanted to do this recipe for many past Holiday Seasons. I will make it for a friend's Boston New Year's Eve party! I am enjoying the lessons from the cooking school. So very helpful. I am saving to purchase the book.
Posted by: Teresa Touey | December 3rd, 2008 at 5:30 am
Hi, Martha,
Thanks for the information about cyads. Yours are so beautiful. I enjoyed learning more about how to propagate these wonders. Their extinction would be a terrible loss.
Thanks again.
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy | December 27th, 2008 at 11:48 am
I have some wheatgrass seeds and I would like to know if I can plant them now. During the first of the year I live in Baltimore, MD
Posted by: Star Harper | December 30th, 2008 at 9:12 am