Novel and Sustainable Propagation of California Native and Drought Tolerant Plants

This project aims to develop & promote sustainable techniques for the propagation, via seeds and cuttings, of drought-adapted plants (primarily California natives) suitable for California’s Mediterranean climate; especially since California is trending drier from climate change. Techniques for aeroponic propagation (Cuttings elevated above a water reservoir sprayed with microsprinklers) will be tested on a variety of CA native plants and compared with traditional cuttings in media. Seed propagation of CA natives, along with some drought-tolerant Mediterranean and desert-adapted plants, and potting out of aeroponic propagules will further Sandoval’s research comparing coconut coir (sustainable) to peat moss (unsustainably harvested).