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You should spend the rest of your life doing what I do. I grow small plants that make other people happy.
Do you know why I’m typing this in purple? Because I can’t figure out how to get rid of the stupid purple! I need to go back to just growing plants! I know how to do that!
Okay, so it’s not purple any more. I swear it was purple a minute ago and I couldn’t get rid of it. Then, all by itself the text decided not to be purple any more. Yeah, yeah I know. I probably should check myself in.
2011/Self-rooted-trees-cut-costs
Article on propagating pears
Mike, great info. Question, I took a number of pear cuttings this winter and used the wet newspaper method. They are calloused and sprouting some growth and small roots. Do I now put them in sand, cover w green plastic bag and mist daily? How long before I can plant them?
I have read that these will likely die as soon as the stored energy in the cutting is spent. Any recommendations?
Thank you!
Matt
PS. If you google pear propagation from cuttings Australia you will find a nice article about large scale successful propagation and solid performance from pear trees from cuttings. So I know it can be done ( perhaps just not by me!)
Matt,
You certainly don’t want to plant them until they have a good root system. I think you’re on the right track, I’d put them in flat of sand, put in a shady area and cover with plastic for a few weeks, not too long, then check on the roots again. Once they start rooting they should no longer be dependent on stored energy.
Don’t fertilize, just keep moist or humid, not soaking wet. Make sure the direct sun does not beat on the plastic bag.
I have a Japanese maple in my front yard but another owner put down landscaping material and stones on top of that. I have little maples galore!! but when I dig one up I have to get rid of all the junk around it and most of them don’t live. Is there a part of the root, such as a tap root that I may be cutting off? What should I look for? Thanks!
Mike,
I purchaced the program, but I didn’t get the downloads, can you help?
Mike, I planted about 200 Iris bulbs abut 3 years ago. In the first year, surprisingly to me I separated most of those into about 20-30 rhizomes each. Last year I was able to do the same thing. I have a farm in CO and we have produce stands open in the summer in Calhan, CO. This year I am going to start selling Iris’s, Dayliles, and Aloe plants. I love gardening and have such a good time both vegetable and flower plants. I have followed your news letters for some time now and enjoy listening to the videos.
What do I need to do to test your website?
how do you get them out of the ground in 2 to 5 years
This is a new twist on being a financial adviser. The rates of return are great. It’s the wait to collect that is the killer.
I’d love to retire and grow J. Maples and all sorts of other neat plants.
The only two things I am good at growing is old and weeds (no matter how hard I try to kill them).
You, Mike, are a classic.
Mike; Do you have any advice for we who live in cold Alberta Canada.
The front of my place gets about 3 hours of sun a day but good light all day. Back has no sun or proper light because of large trees. I am looking for something not higher than 3 feet full of color and or fragrance.Thanks so much
Mike,
From the get go I got very excited about your business and how you have shared it with the outside world. I currently live with my parents and we planted our first garden last year with much success, boy was it fun and such pride and love in the food we got to eat. They have acreage to facilitate doing this kind of business. I haven’t started yet, but did just get in on your business team with the intention of making this happen. This is very exciting to me and I want to thank you for your contribution in making so many people happy. Namaste Deborah
Thanks Mike,forall the great gardening ideas and tips.
Hi Mike
I have not bought your backyard growing system yet because I am hung up on my lack of space. I have approximate 10,000 sq ft backyard that I have naturalized over the last 5 years. It’s pretty shady from neighboring trees. There is space but I could probably make some more. I need to get over seeing your big spread and get my hands around starting small and not worrying about the future. Can you inspire me?
Thanks , I love your ids and emails.
Ed
Mike, you focus a lot on Japanese maples — and they’re a good tree! But I’m much more interested in growing natives. Will your system apply for these trees as well?
I am new with your program and love it. I have learned more about gardening than every in my life. As a result of your program, I am starting “Desert Calls Backyard Nursery” as per the instructions. Since I am in the desert, I will be specializing in Xeric plants. Where can I get rooted cuttings of Xeric plants? Can anyone help me?
I was online looking for a business to work from home. I love plants, never thought about selling plants as a way to make money. I live in Southern Illinois, do you think I could be successful at this or are there too many people already doing this?
Vikki,
Can you be successful at this? Here’s my question; “Do you want to be successful at this? If you do, then of course you can. Don’t worry about competition. I know it’s normal to think that way, but there are so many ways to sell plants, and sooooooo many people want small plants. People don’t want to buy from big box stores etc. They want to buy from a real person just like you! Get started today, http://freeplants.com/wanted.htm
Thank you Mike, this is so encouraging to me. I am looking for a change. Something that I can do from home. I love plants but never thought of it as a business. Thinking that this would be idea for me to work around my daughters schedule. I have a daughter that receives a lot of therapy, speech, occupational and physical after school. I am not looking to get rich, just something to help with her medical bills, without leaving her. Sounds like I found a winner, will be getting started next week. Thank you again and have a great day.
If it takes me above and beyond that, well Thank you Jesus, I welcome it.
If you use this hoe and the hula hoe in a garden with mulch, how do you keep the mulch on top afterwards?
Hi Mike, Are you ready for Spring? I heard that we may hit 50F this week and we’re about 200 miles NW of you on the other side of Detroit.
So it’s headed your way, but only for a day or so.
Dale, thanks for the update, I’ve got 200 Pink Dogwood trees in my garage that I need to get stored away until spring.
Here in South Texas it suppose to get 90degrees on Tuesday
Arnoldo, that’s why I like Ohio. It’s cold in the winter, but it is absolutely beautiful in the summer. Not unbearable hot.
Love your how to videos. Do you have DVD’s with more detailed information?
Dan, two of the most important valuable DVDs that we ever produced are included in my Backyard Growing System. http://freeplants.com/wanted.htm There’s a great deal of information in those two videos that I do not share on the Internet. A lot of proprietary information. We also have a small library of DVDs but those will only be made available to those who have the grow system.
We are shooting a video this week on growing Japanese maples from seed and detailed instructions on grafting rare Japanese maples. That will be available to the public soon, probably two weeks or less. Thanks for asking.
I have a Quik question. Do you have any customers in New Mexico
Jeff, funny you should ask. Not five minutes ago I telling one of my New Mexico customers about a grafting DVD that I’ve got coming out soon. So we have him for sure. There may be others, I really don’t pay that much attention to where people live. http://freeplants.com
I love your e-mails, I have made a folder that I keep them in. Retired at age 65 I love to play in the dirt and enjoy gardening. Keep up the videos and never change your wardrobe – it is a required dress here in Western Kentucky!
Sharon, I appreciate that. I don’t expect to change my wardrobe ever! I purchased 200 of those Pink Dogwoods that I told you about a week ago and I was in the garage unpacking them today wearing jeans and and shirt. By the time I was done my pants were falling down. That doesn’t happen with bibs!
Hi Mike! I’ve been following you for years and love getting your emails. They keep me inspired! Thanks for all of your helpful tips and entertaining videos 🙂
thank again for the info
Mike, I’ve been following you for a while and I am fascinated by what you do. This latest video came in at a perfect time. After working as an architect for… ever, I don’t have any work. I’ll order shortly. Any suggestions for adapting your system to Southern California?
Thank you, You are great!
Norma,
Adapting my system to southern California is pretty easy. Everything applies, you just have to focus on plants that are grown and sold in garden centers in your area. Other than that, it all applies. http://freeplants.com/wanted.htm
Hello, I’m interested in purchasing your program. My question is I’m moving to Montana and would like to know if the temperatures in mt are too cold for your growing system?
Cory, I’ve had backyard growers in Alaska. All you do is grow what does well in the climate in which you live. People in Montana buy plants, landscape their homes etc. I’ve yet to find a place where there is no market for plants. Thanks for asking! -Mike McGroarty http://freeplants.com/wanted.htm
Mike ,I use to live in Ohio and loved the way my plants grew but I’ve lived in Florida over 25yrs but still have family up there..
My question is,Will your tips for up north be different for the weather and ground down here in zone8..
Linda, I think zone 8 is like being in the best of both worlds. I’ve got a customer in Alabama, zone 8 and she does a wonderful job with Japanese maples. She used to travel to Florida to help two of our members in Florida. They were an older couple, but were doing incredibly well growing and selling plants. So I think it’s all relevant, you just have to make a few adjustments for the climate that you are in, both warmer and colder.
Thanks Mike for the info. You have inspired me this winter and I am planning on expanding my growing garden. I believe that I was thinking too big at first also. I have made an adjustment and will see how things go. I have an excellent helper who makes gardening more manageable for me. By the way, it is 14 degrees and snowing in south central PA. Hurry up spring! Keep up the good work and thank you.
Gee Mike – You’ve not only worked on your business but on yourself. You look very healthy. 🙂
Thanks Judy, I appreciate that. I feel great!
Hello Mike, Great Info on youtube and your website.
Is there any way to prograte pecans, plums, peaches, etc, from cuttings.
Thanks
Roger, most fruit trees are propagated via budding, where a bud from the desired plant is slipped under the bark of rootstock grown from seed. Budding is usually done during the summer. It is possible too root cuttings from fruit trees. If you want to try do softwood cuttings in June. The market for fruit bearing plants is huge, those kinds of plants are in great demand. http://freeplants.com/wanted.htm