Seed Propagation

Master Gardener Training

What is Plant Propagation

• Plant propagation is the process of artificially or naturally propagating (distributing or spreading) plants

Two Types of Plant Propagation• Sexual propagation

• involves the exchange of genetic material between parents to produce a new generation.

• Asexual propagation• does not involve exchange of

genetic material, so it almost always produces plants that are identical to a single parent.

Seed Propagation

• It is usually the only method of producing new varieties or cultivars.

• It is often the cheapest and easiest method to produce large numbers of plants.

• It can be a way to avoid certain plant diseases.

• It may be the only way to propagate some species.

Collection and Methods

• Purchasing• Collecting.• Harvesting• Storage• Germination

• Scarification

• Stratification

Collection and Methods (Cont’d.)

• Media• Containers• Timing• Indoor Seeding• Outdoor Seeding• Spores

Purchasing Seed• Viability• Germination Rate• Seed catalogs are very

helpful in providing information on bloom time, germination requirements, cultural requirements and disease resistance.

Collecting Seeds

• Collected seed result of random pollination

• Saving seed saves money.

• Gardeners can maintain varieties that are not sold commercially .

• Don’t collect from overseas

Harvesting Seed

• Collect from healthy plants• Harvest seed just before fruit is fully ripe.• For flowers with exposed seeds, place the

seed stalk or flower head in a bag and store in a warm, dry location.

• Seed of pulpy fruits should be separated from the pulp, washed and thoroughly dried.

Storing Seed

• Airtight storage

• Temperature

• Proper storage increases viability

Germination of Seed

• Seed Anatomy• Seed coat

• Embryo• Food source

• Plumule (first leaves)

• Radicle (embryonic root)

• Water.• Growing medium

Germination of Seed (Cont’d.)

• Light• Oxygen• Temperature

Sowing Seeds Indoors

• Easiest and cheapest • Plants with extremely small seeds• Plants that require a long growing season • Supplies needed for indoor seed sowing include

the following:• fluorescent or grow lights• disinfested containers with excellent drainage• pasteurized (sterile) seed-starting medium• location with proper temperature and ventilation.

Growing Media

• Loose, uniform, fine texture

• A pasteurized (sterile) mixture• 1/3 soil, 1/3 sand,

vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 peat moss

• Low fertility• Regular fertilization

program is very important once seedlings emerge

Containers• Recycled containers• Compressed peat pellets,

peat pots, paper pots, plastic cell packs and flats.

• Peat and clay containers tend to dry more quickly than plastic containers because they are very porous.

Sowing Seed• Most seeds should be sown 4

to 12 weeks prior to transplanting into the garden.

• Hardening off – acclimatization period

• Seed catalogs and packets provide information on days to germination and weeks needed to reach transplant size.

Sowing Seed (Cont’d.)

• Leave a small amount of room at the top of each container or cell

• Keep media moist• High light and cooler temperatures• Generally sow seed no deeper than 3x the

smallest width – smaller seed may just be sprinkled on top

• Plant two or three seeds per cell or pot. When they germinate, remove the two less vigorous seedlings.

Watering Seedlings Indoors

• Keep soil moist but not wet. • Water when the surface of the soil begins

to dry out.• Bottom watering helps prevent damage to

the seedlings caused by a hard stream of water, also encourages deep root development and ensures that the entire depth of soil receives moisture.

Light Requirements for Seedlings• Seedlings require bright light immediately after

germination.• Day-length requirements vary with different plants.• Most plants that are started from seed benefit from

16 to 18 hours of light.

Fertilizing Indoor Seedlings

• Growing media is usually low in nutrients.• After germination, apply a liquid fertilizer

high in phosphorous weekly.• Fertilizer with a 1-2-1, N-P-K ratio is

recommended and dilute fertilizer 1/4 to 1/2 the label's recommended strength and apply sparingly.

• Always use a liquid form of fertilizer.

Pinching Seedlings

• Pinching the growing tips of seedlings will result in more branching.

• This produces a fuller, stockier plant.

Hardening off Seedlings for Transplanting

• Hardening-off is a physiological process that adds carbohydrate reserves to the plant and produces additional cuticle on the leaves, reducing water loss. Practically, the process slows plant growth while acclimating the seedling to harsher conditions.

Transplanting Seedlings into the Garden

• The garden soil should be adequately dry to prevent compaction.

• Pull apart the lower portion of the root mass to get the roots growing outward.

• Although seedlings may be planted without removing the pot, be sure to maintain the same soil level.

• Water seedlings into the soil. A cup of transplanting solution will help plants get off to a good start.

• Make your own transplanting solution by mixing 1 tablespoons of a water-soluble 20-20-20 fertilizer in a gallon of water.

Sowing Seeds Directly into the Garden

• Less work

• Involves more risk from weather, pests, diseases and erosion

• Site conditions

• Frost dates