So much mystery and potting shed black magic has been woven into the work of propagation that the amateur, not surprisingly, makes a very tentative approach to the seedbox and propagating bench. Once the first inhibitions are lost there is a whole new fascinating field of gardening to be explored with possible attempts at hybridisation to evolve new varieties.

One thing is absolutely certain, the seed or cutting is determined to grow whatever mistakes might be made by the propagator so at least there is a mutual interest straight away. There is no need to spend vast sums on greenhouses and frames, or to put down acres to nursery beds. Usually only one or two plants are needed, one for the garden, the other to give away to a friend.

Any obviously dead or very old wood is cut clean out at the base. Then surplus or crossing branches are trimmed out and the bush generally tidied up. Tree pruning is a dangerous undertaking requiring specialist knowledge.

I always sow fine seed, like that of the rhododendrons, erica and kalmia, under glass where a careful watch can be kept on progress. A well-drained, aerated compost together with careful watering and controlled temperatures make success almost assured. Cleanliness of compost, of containers, of watering, and hygiene in general is an obvious requirement.

Suckers can be a problem particularly on grafted plants. Rhododendrons, lilacs, roses, some berberis, crabs and cherries are a few of the shrubs often worked on to a stock. Any growth from below soil level must be suspect and this is one good reason for avoiding deep digging near established shrubs, as this may cause damage to the roots which will lead to suckering.

Some seeds, mainly those contained inside berries and hips, need to go through a period of preparation known as stratification before they are sown. This simply means mixing the berries and hips, after they have been collected in the autumn, with sharp sand, then placing the mixture in a 5-in. pot and leaving it outside over winter. Care should be taken to label each species. Some fine zinc gauze should be placed over the top of the pot to prevent mice from eating the lot. The mixture will then freeze and thaw alternately throughout the winter and this treatment helps the flesh of the berries and hips to decay. In the spring the container can be emptied and the sand and seed sown in drills on the prepared bed where they will germinate quickly.