Explanation: For years I have been germinating a few seeds or rooting a few cuttings at home with no intermittent mist, bottom heat or other tools of the modern nurseryman. The system works and, I think, is simple if you pay attention to a few rules and do not totally ignore your propagules.

Ingredients:

• Plastic bags - Lately I have used 1/2 gallon Zip Lock bags.
• Dishwasher clean 4 in. or 1 qt. plastic pots.
• Well drained potting media - Usually pinebark/peat or peat/perlite
• Horticultural vermiculite
• Room temperature tap water

Procedure:

1. Fill the clean plastic pots to within 1/2 inch of the top with well drained potting media. Gently firm.
   Seeds
   • If planting seeds, top off the pot with 1/8 inch of vermiculite.
   • Sow seeds. If packet says seeds need light, bottom water the pot by setting it into a saucer of water and mist the top. Otherwise, gently top water the vermiculite until water runs out the bottom of the pot.
   Cuttings
   • Prepare and stick cuttings into the media within the pot. Vermiculite topdressing is not needed with cuttings.
   • Top water gently to firm cuttings into media.
2. Insert a plant label into media to identify what you planted. This label should also include information about number of seeds or hormone treatments of cuttings AND the date.
3. Put pot or pots into plastic bag being careful not to spill media or touch media with fingers.
4. Seal bag and place in a bright window but not in direct sunlight.
5. Droplets of water will form on the inside of the bag the next day if you have done everything right. Do not open bag until seeds have germinated or a couple of weeks after sticking most cuttings.
6. When you think all seeds have germinated or cuttings rooted, open the bag slightly. I usually just unseal the Zip top closure.
7. After a couple of days of venting, fold the bag back to just above leaves of the seedlings or cuttings to allow further hardening without breezes directly blowing on the tender young plants.
8. Irrigate by applying water down the side of the bag, if needed.
9. Remove plastic bag. Continue to irrigate.
10. Transplant when seedlings have two true leaves or cuttings are thoroughly rooted.

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North Carolina State University