Q.Fennel propagation from bulbs bought at grocery store
We have a pet rabbit that loves fennel leaves (this is not a rabbit question). Accordingly, we buy 5 to 8 fennel buls and leaves per week. After about 30 bulb purchases, I realized how much i could save by propagating on my own.
I read probably 10 articles on the web, including yours, and started efforts. Over the last six months I tried cutting horizontally, vertically, into vertical sections, setting in water, setting on moist pebbles, setting on moist dirt, (and 2 stuck in potting soil in the back yard, which lasted one night and were carried off whole by a strong raccoon or opossum (no, not a raccoon possum question either)). I tried with the heart stalk and with a one inch round section including the root core outline. I tried organic and inorganic. I tried removing the sections that showed brown mold, and tried daily rinsing.
We live on the gulf coast of Florida. Temps from 55 to 80 degrees. On the kitchen windowsill facing north.
Batting average, 00000 for 80 tries. There was NEVER a root that sprouted. But I will not give up. Even the rabbit thinks i must have a brown thumb.
Can you come up with any further suggestions?
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
Try rooting it in your refrigerator! They like cooler temperatures. Add a few drops of honey and crushed aspirin powder to water (about a 1/4 of a gallon. Change the water daily, and you should have roots in no time.
