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Asexual Plant Propagation This presentation is from Virginia Tech and it has not been edited by the Georgia Curriculum Office. August 2008 Plant Propagation • The reproduction of new plants from seeds or vegetative parts of a plant. August 2008 Asexual Propagation • The reproduction of new plants from the stems, leaves, or roots of a parent plant. • No seeds are used, just portions of the parent plant which are placed in soil August 2008 Benefits of Asexual Propagation • • • • Produce plants faster Disease free stock Works when seeds are hard to germinate Plants produced are genetically identical to the parent plant “Clones” • Plants with or without reproductive parts can be produced • Less Expensive in some cases August 2008 Where Can Cuttings be Taken From? • Roots • Stems • Leaves August 2008 Methods of Asexual Propagation • • • • Stem Cuttings Leaf Cuttings Leaf Bud Cuttings Root Cuttings August 2008 Stem Cuttings • • • • • Softwood Cuttings Herbaceous Cuttings Semi-hardwood Cuttings Hardwood Cuttings Conifer Cuttings – See Figure 1 on handout August 2008 Softwood Cuttings • Taken from soft, new spring growth of woody plants • Root easy but require more attention • Usually 3 to 5 inches in length • 2 or 3 nodes • Cut at 45 degree angles ¼ inch below a node • 1/3 of lower leaves are removed August 2008 Herbaceous Cuttings • • • • • Also considered softwood cuttings Numerous succulent greenhouse plants 3 to 4 inches long Contain several leaves Root easily August 2008 Semi-hardwood Cuttings • • • • Woody, broad leaved plants Taken in the summer from new shoots 3 to 6 inches in length Handled the same as softwood cuttings August 2008 Hardwood Cuttings • • • • • • Prepared during the dormant season Deciduous or evergreen plants 6 to 8 inches in length Taken from year old wood Form callus tissue during the winter Develop roots in the spring August 2008 Conifer Cuttings • Early winter • Narrowleaf evergreens • May take several months to produce roots August 2008 Leaf Cuttings • Consist of a leaf blade or leaf blade with petiole • Used when plant material is scarce • Used when a large number of new plants are needed • Houseplants or foliage plants August 2008 Leaf Cuttings Cont. • Leaf blades can be cut into pieces and inserted into medium – See Figure 2 in handout • Some leaves can be cut on the primary veins and laid flat on top of the growing medium. – See Figure 3 in handout • Leaf and petiole cuttings are place petiole down the the medium – See Figure 4 in handout August 2008 Leaf Bud Cuttings • Consist of a leaf, petiole, and a short piece of stem with lateral bud. • Must have well developed buds, and healthy, actively growing leaves. • Insert in medium with the lateral bud just below the surface – See Figure 5 in handout August 2008 Root Cuttings • Made from root pieces of young plants • During late winter or early spring • Roots are dug, cleaned, and treated with fungicide • 2 to 6 inches in length • Placed horizontally or vertically • Quite laborious August 2008 Rooting Hormones • Material that promote the development of roots • Applied to the bases of the cuttings • Powders or Solutions • Do not use too much, it may cause the stem to rot August 2008 Root-Inducing Environment • High humidity to reduce water loss • Indirect sunlight • Growing medium August 2008 Types of Growing Medium • Peat moss & perlite mixture – 1 to 1 ratio will hold moisture and provide aeration • Vermiculite – Sterile and has high moisture retention • Sand – Provides aeration but does not retain moisture • Sand & peat moss mixture – 1 to 1 or 2 to 1 ratio, increases moisture retention August 2008 Summary • Asexual propagation is the propagation of plants from stems, leaves, or roots of a parent plant • Cuttings are the most popular form • Cuttings are often treated with a rooting hormone • The environment is very important for successful rooting August 2008