In forty years, the miracle of making a new tree or brush hasn’t worn off for Jeff Harvey. “Taking a seed or stick and watching it turn into a tree; it’s still pretty neat,” says Harvey, production manager at Sunland Nursery. While there are plenty of different ways to grow new plants from existing ones, Harvey will share his decades of propagating experience at the Las Cruces Utilities (LCU) Lush and Lean presentation on Thursday, May 3rd.
Titled “Propagating Trees and Shrubs,” Harvey brings an appropriately named “bag of props” to his presentation. He’ll show off sticks, cuttings, and seeds that homeowners may already discover in their yards. Harvey will explain how easily propagation - creating a new plant - can be accomplished by those with a little patience.
Two considerations Harvey suggests for new plant parents is to remember that some shrubs and trees will propagate better at certain times of the year, although there is still a certain element of flexibility. Also, choose vegetation that is already well-suited to our area, with our heat and nutrient-poor soil, and is hardy enough to flourish with some encouragement.
Harvey encourages attendees to bring in their plant cuttings to get tips on their exact budding problem. A mix of different elements, just like nature, allows Harvey to keep something that might seem like a dry topic feel like the magic it really is.
“For example, the bird-of-paradise germinates readily, and it’s easy to see when the seed is tan,” said Harvey. “If you grab the pod, you give off the right humidity and it’ll pop right in your hand.”
All Lush and Lean workshops are free and open to the public. They are held Thursday evenings at the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library, at 200 E. Picacho Ave., in the Roadrunner Room from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. See the complete list of speakers and Lush and Lean dates at www.las-cruces.org/WaterConservation or www.facebook.com/cityoflascruces.
Submitted by Las Cruces Utilities
You can reach Las Cruces Utilities at 528-3500 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Las Cruces Utilities provides GAS – WATER – WASTEWATER – SOLID WASTE services to approximately 100,000 Las Cruces residents and businesses.