Buying unrooted cuttings (URCs) of almost any herb you want is fairly easy, especially with the instant access to the unrooted stock available at nurseries and farms through the Internet. Unrooted herb cuttings tend to be less expensive than rooted herbs and can reduce the spread of bacteria if the cutting is healthy and parasite free. Unrooted cuttings are designed for the experienced or professional commercial grower using a greenhouse or hydroponic environment. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Decide which unrooted herb cuttings you want to purchase. Some herbs are more difficult to root successfully than others. Various forms of mint are invasive and almost anyone can start them; however, more tender stemmed plants like small unrooted basil cuttings from large nurseries that supply commerical growers are better left to the experienced buyer.
2. Determine the approximate quantity that you need for each unrooted herb cutting. Some web sites have boards where gardeners sell or exchange sets of two to ten unrooted herb cuttings for the hobbyist or small scale neighborhood farmer; other sites specialize in unrooted herb cuttings for the commercial farmer selling in units of 100 cuttings or more. In general, unrooted herb cuttings from exchange boards are larger in size than unrooted cuttings from commercial suppliers.
3. Select the right grower from whom to purchase your unrooted herb cuttings. You can search in newspapers, phone books or online for local unrooted herb suppliers--within driving distance--if you want to see mature plants and pick up your unrooted herb cuttings in person. You can also choose to have your cuttings shipped from a nursery from another state or country. In addition, check the local garden clubs or gardener exchange boards like Dave's Garden Marketplace at DavesGarden.com.
4. Select unrooted herb cuttings that appear fresh and healthy, without wilting, browning or rotting spots if you make your purchase in person. Avoid unrooted cuttings that appear old or smell foul--these cuttings will more than likely fail to root.
5. Treat your unrooted herb cuttings with your preferred rooting solution and stick them in the prepared soil or greenhouse setting as soon as possible after you purchase them or receive them in the mail for the best results.
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