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Propagation Division
 


The Propagation Department at Princeton Nurseries is responsible for all cuttings propagated, bare root grafts, potted grafts and tissue culture transplants. This department also produces seedlings for our production, and for our “Selected Seedlings” sales program.
Princeton's Propagation Sales Program

     Princeton Nurseries expanded its Select Seedlings Program to include container grown native plants that have historically proven difficult to transplant.  The program initially focuses on Cornus florida, Nyssa, Quercus and Sassafras. In addition, it will allow the supply of hardy seedlings to native plant nurseries and other growers throughout the United States.  For more information, contact our Sales Department at (800) 916-1776.

 

 

 

 
SEEDLING PRODUCTION:

All seedling production occurs at the Thread Farm. Seventy acres of this farm are used for production. Fifteen acres are used yearly, and the remaining are on a four-year rotation so the land can be rested between crops. All seedbeds are treated with methyl bromide prior to planting to control weed germination and pathogens. Each year approximately 1,400,000 seedlings are produced. Princeton Nurseries uses 30% of the total seedling production for our own production and 70% is used for our “Selected Seedling” sales.  Our "Selected Seedlings" program also recently began offering custom contract growing to clients who wish to guarantee their seedling needs.

The seed is hand sown to give proper spacing so that all seedlings develop a proper balance between root mass and the top of the plant. All seed sources are from local or from compatible zone hardy regions, and most of this seed is from our own stock plants.

Almost all of the seedlings are harvested in the early spring. The harvested seedlings are then individually graded by caliper and quality.

Currently the Propagation Department is propagating over 50 different Genera of seedlings.


GRAFTS, CUTTINGS AND TISSUE CULTURE PROPAGATION:

Princeton Nurseries is presently propagating over 30 different Genus varieties, from cuttings, grafts and tissue culture. 85% of all cuttings and scion wood used by the Propagation Department comes from our own stock blocks, which are at several locations throughout the nursery. All tissue culture plants are produced by several outside sources.
Under the current production plan, this department is producing 100,000 plants from cuttings, 50,000 plants from tissue culture, 15,000 potted grafts and 65,000 bare root grafts (primarily Ginkgo cultivars).

Most of the asexually propagated material is housed in six 28’x 96’ Jāderloon Greenhouses and a 60’x 96’ Cravo retractable roof and sides greenhouse. Several of these houses are equipped with heated floors.
 
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Last Updated:  June 03, 2008 11:11 AM