Seeds. After the seeds are planted, cover the tray with a clean
piece of board, tile or slate and place it in a warm, shady place,
keeping the soil moist, until the seeds have germinated. At the
first sign of growth, replace the dark cover with a piece of glass
and put the tray where the seedlings can get as much light as
possible (under the shelter of the glass), but not in excessive
sunshine.
Cuttings. Immediately the cuttings have been set in the seeding
compost place them in a shady place for a day with the tray
covered by a sheet of glass. After this, place the tray in a semi-shady position (and still under glass) and with good light, but
avoiding excessive sunshine. Keep moist and warm. Trees may
take several months to root. The first signs that they have taken
will be the appearance of little buds or shoots on the cutting.
2. POTTING
When the plants (seedlings or cuttings) have rooted they are
ready for transplanting into potting compost, which can be in a
tray or pan but is usually in pots. The pots are well crocked and
then filled with a bought prepared potting compost or one that
can be mixed with coarse silver sand, fine light loam and a good
proportion of horticultural peat (or good leaf mould) in approximately equal parts.
Prick out the seedlings with great care to avoid injuring the
tender plants or their delicate roots and transplant in the potting
compost. Place pots in semi-shade for the first day or so after
potting and then into a lighter position, at first under shelter and
then gradually "hardening off" until they are ready for transplanting into the minigarden.
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