Perennials: cuttings planting

Urena and Abutilon. These are less important vegetable fibers of a jute-like nature. Urena lobata (Cadillo) of the mallow family (Malvaceae) is a perennial that grows in Zaire and Brazil to a height of 4—5 m with stems 10—18 mm in diameter. Because of a lignified base, the stems are cut 20 cm above the ground. The plants are defoflated in the field and retted similarly to jute and kenaf. The retted material is stripped and washed and, in some cases. 

Holes can be cut to allow planting through the membrane as appropriate. Membranes may be covered with a loose mulch, to hold them in place, extend their life span, and improve their appearance. A mulch membrane must be permeable, to allow air and water into the soil, unless it is only to be kept in place for a few months. However, to suppress the more vigorous perennial weeds (see also pp.80-81), the membrane may need to be in place for several years while there are several biodegradable choices of membrane material, a nonbiodegradable material is the more practical option in such situations. 

Perennials that do not normally survive a cold winter are usually classified, with annuals, as bedding plants, as they too need to be replanted annually. Plants such as pelargoniums or felicia can be overwintered in a frost-free greenhouse or a cool basement, cutting them back and then repotting at the start of spring. 

Herbaceous perennials can be planted in beds or borders by themselves, or mixed with bedding plants, shrubs, or roses. They can be placed in bold groups, lingering drifts, or small clumps, depending on the plant, its character, and the desired effect. Many flowers can be cut for flower-arranging, avoiding the high pesticide input and air miles associated with most commercial cut flowers. 

Roots should be collected only after the herb itself has fallen back for the season, no matter whether the plant is annual, biennial or perennial. Barks should never be taken from the living tree, but only in the spring time, from a tree that has been cut down the previous autumn. If naturally and carefully dried, the therapeutic virtues will remain for long periods. 

Oregano is a hardy (Zone 5) perennial herb grown for its aromatic leaves. Start oregano from cuttings or plants rather than from seed. Seedlings are quite variable and may have very little flavor. Oregano does best in... 

It is a perennial 1-2 m tall herb with an erect woody stem, which grows in Central Europe. Late in the autumn the roots from wild and cultivated plants are harvested and the cork and outer parts of the bark are removed. The peeled root is dried quickly at ca 40°. The crude drug is often cut into small cubes, to facilitate the production of starch-free mucilage, which is made by maceration with cold water of the root cubes. 

The mints are a very complex and diverse group of perennial plants belonging to the family Labiatae which have hybridized to such an extent that their botanical parentage and classiflcation is confusing, even to the experts. For practical purposes the following are recognized as of major commercial importance as flavoring materials either in the form of freshly cut leaves, dried and rubbed flakes, or as essential oils ... 

Vanilla is a fleshy, herbaceous, perennial vine that climbs to a height of 12 to 15 m. It thrives in a hot, humid climate up to about 2500 ft. The plant needs protection from wind. Under cultivation the supports are normally growing trees or shrubs planted at 8-ft intervals. The plant is propagated by cuttings that are planted close to the base of each support tree and regularly pruned to enable easy collection of the fruit. The plant flowers after 2 years, starts fruiting after 3 years and reaches a maximum yield in 10 to 12 years, after which time it is usually replaced by fresh... 

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