NURSERY PLANT PROPAGATION

Nursery Propagation Practices Why use

propagation? More control of

production & growth

Improved disease resistance

Sometimes, it’s fun to put multiple varieties on one plant

Nursery Propagation Practices Selecting Cutting

Stock Propagation

Manager looks for woody stems that “snap” Not too woody, not

too soft

Nursery Propagation Practices Cuttings are either taken by hand or

with a mower on a boom

Nursery Propagation Practices Cuttings are

sanitized in Physan before being stuck Sometimes

cuttings are purchased & stored in cooler until ready

Nursery Propagation Practices Cuttings are trimmed and ends are dipped in rooting hormone Cuttings are then “stuck” into rooting flats

Nursery Propagation Practices Some cuttings are

stuck in soil, but most are stuck into Perlite or pumice

Nursery Propagation Practices Once cuttings develop roots, they are

“upshifted” into the next size container

Nursery Propagation Practices Trees, like maples are grafted onto

rootstock

Nursery Propagation Practices However, it is often cheaper to graft trees in

the field This unique machine reduces fatigue for grafters

Nursery Propagation Practices Grafters cut a bud

off of the bud wood

Then they cut a notch in the rootstock

Nursery Propagation Practices Grafters then tape the bud chip onto the

rootstock

Nursery Propagation Practices Eventually, the

new bud will graft onto the rootstock and establish itself as a new tree

Nursery Propagation Practices Whip and

Tongue Graft Used to

add weeping species (Willow, Cherry) to rootstock

Nursery Propagation Practices These are just a few of the various

types of propagation practices used in the Willamette Valley