Plant PropagationPlant Propagation

An introduction to the proper, propagation of plants!An introduction to the proper, propagation of plants!

What Is Asexual Reproduction?What Is Asexual Reproduction?

Asexual reproduction in plants Asexual reproduction in plants involves the reproduction of new involves the reproduction of new plants using only the vegetative plants using only the vegetative parts of the parent plant parts of the parent plant

Also called Plant PropagationAlso called Plant Propagation

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What if the plant is difficult to What if the plant is difficult to germinate or doesn’t create a viable germinate or doesn’t create a viable seed?seed?

Think about an orchid! Think about an orchid!

What if the plant that you want more of What if the plant that you want more of is perfect? is perfect? You want it to be true to seed.You want it to be true to seed.

Why Should We Propagate?Why Should We Propagate?

This form of reproduction This form of reproduction produces plants that are produces plants that are identicalidentical to the parent plant to the parent plant

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Asexual propagation may be Asexual propagation may be faster than propagation by seedfaster than propagation by seed Germination and growth of Germination and growth of

seedlings is often slow compared to seedlings is often slow compared to propagation by cuttingspropagation by cuttings

It may also be more economical to It may also be more economical to produce plants asexually and in produce plants asexually and in many cases it is easiermany cases it is easier

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So let’s learn more about propagation!!!!!So let’s learn more about propagation!!!!!

Leaf – stem cuttingLeaf – stem cutting

Division, Separation, and LayeringDivision, Separation, and Layering

Grafting and BuddingGrafting and Budding

Tissue CultureTissue Culture

D.A.

B.

C.

Leaf Cutting Grafting

Tissue Culture

Layering etc.

All of these put together are great ways to propagate just about any plant!!!!

Review of Plant PartsReview of Plant Parts

budstipule

stem

midrib

blade

axil

node

internode

petiolenode

Leaf and Leaf-Bud CuttingsLeaf and Leaf-Bud CuttingsA A leaf cuttingleaf cutting is is a piece of a leaf a piece of a leaf blade, or a leaf blade, or a leaf blade with a blade with a petiole attachedpetiole attached

A A leaf-bud cuttingleaf-bud cutting consists of a leaf blade, consists of a leaf blade, the petiole, and a short the petiole, and a short piece of stem with an piece of stem with an attached budattached bud

Leaf CuttingsLeaf Cuttings Healthy leaves that have just reached Healthy leaves that have just reached

maturitymaturity should be used for leaf cuttings should be used for leaf cuttings Some plants may be propagated using only Some plants may be propagated using only

the leaf blade or a section of the leafthe leaf blade or a section of the leaf The leaf is cut from the parent plant and the cut The leaf is cut from the parent plant and the cut

edge placed on top of the rooting medium or edge placed on top of the rooting medium or inserted into the mediuminserted into the medium

New plants develop along the edge of the leaf.New plants develop along the edge of the leaf.

Leaf Cuttings ContinuedLeaf Cuttings Continued Some plants require that both the leaf Some plants require that both the leaf

blade and petiole be removed from the blade and petiole be removed from the parent plantparent plant

These cuttings should be placed deep These cuttings should be placed deep enough in the medium to keep the cutting enough in the medium to keep the cutting uprightupright

Moisture is very important for the growth of Moisture is very important for the growth of the cuttingthe cutting

The cuttings cannot absorb water quickly so The cuttings cannot absorb water quickly so they must be kept moistthey must be kept moist

However, too much water will cause the cuttings of However, too much water will cause the cuttings of most plants to rotmost plants to rot

Processing the CuttingProcessing the Cutting What you should do with the cutting before What you should do with the cutting before

planting to ensure less water loss?planting to ensure less water loss?

Process it immediatelyProcess it immediately If not possible put the cut into water and bag it up. Put it If not possible put the cut into water and bag it up. Put it

into direct sun.into direct sun. Remove some of the leaves. About 1/2 to 2/3 of the Remove some of the leaves. About 1/2 to 2/3 of the

leaves. If large leaves are left, cut them in half.leaves. If large leaves are left, cut them in half. Place in the rooting medium, put pot in a bag (keep the Place in the rooting medium, put pot in a bag (keep the

bag off of cutting), and put the processed cutting in the bag off of cutting), and put the processed cutting in the greenhouse. Keep it out of direct light. greenhouse. Keep it out of direct light.

Rooting Medium and Root FormationRooting Medium and Root Formation

Rooting Medium-Rooting Medium- The substance that allows maximum The substance that allows maximum root growth. Usually consisting of different parts water root growth. Usually consisting of different parts water absorbers and aerators.absorbers and aerators.

A good rooting medium should consist of 50% vermiculite A good rooting medium should consist of 50% vermiculite and 50% perlite. This will hold sufficient air and water for and 50% perlite. This will hold sufficient air and water for maximum root growth.maximum root growth.

To encourage root formation, apply a rooting hormone to To encourage root formation, apply a rooting hormone to the edge of the cutting.the edge of the cutting.

Keep your cuttings at temperatures between 65 and 75 Keep your cuttings at temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. degrees Fahrenheit.

Now let’s get goin’ into the greenhouse and Now let’s get goin’ into the greenhouse and practice some cuttings in our groups!!!!!practice some cuttings in our groups!!!!!