Cutting Techniques Chapter 10

Cutting techniques Types of cuttingsTypes of cuttings –Stem HardwoodHardwood –Deciduous –Narrow-leaved evergreens Semi-hardwoodSemi-hardwood –Broad-leaved evergreens –Leafy deciduous plants in summer SoftwoodSoftwood HerbaceousHerbaceous Rhizome/StolonRhizome/Stolon

Cutting techniques Types of cuttingsTypes of cuttings –Leaf –Leaf-bud –Root

Cutting techniques Hardwood (deciduous)Hardwood (deciduous) –Mature, firm, dormant (after leaf drop) –4 - 30” cuttings –Basal cut just below a node & top cut just above a node –Stick 2 - 3” into rooting mix –Can wax tops or place in high humidity

Cutting techniques Hardwood cuttings (narrow-leaved evergreens)Hardwood cuttings (narrow-leaved evergreens) –Slow to root (make sure they don’t dry out) –Low-growing species root easiest (some junipers) –Upright growing often difficult to root (firs, hemlock, pines, spruce) –Take late fall to late winter –Include 4 - 8” of last years growth –Require high irradiance –High humidity –Prefer sand or peat/perlite –Bottom heat

Cutting techniques Semi-hardwood (greenwood)Semi-hardwood (greenwood) –Broad-leaved evergreens or –Leafy deciduous plants in summer –Taken in summer after a growth flush –3 - 6” cuttings –Trim large leaves to reduce transpiration –Collect cutting in early morning (turgid)

Cutting techniques SoftwoodSoftwood –soft, succulent new Spring growth –Deciduous or evergreen species –Taken DURING a growth flush –Sometimes root easier –Prone to disease and water stress

Cutting techniques Herbaceous cuttings (different than softwood!)Herbaceous cuttings (different than softwood!) –From succulent, nonwoody plants (Coleus, geraniums, mums) –3 - 5” cuttings –Leaves kept on top (remove any that would go below the surface of the rooting mix) –Auxin usually not required

Cutting techniques Leaf cuttingsLeaf cuttings –Leaf blade with or without petiole attached –Adventitious buds/shoots and roots must form –Limited # of species will respond to produce shoots BegoniaBegonia African violetAfrican violet Snake plantSnake plant –Offsets = plants develop along the leaf margin KalanchoeKalanchoe Piggyback plantPiggyback plant

Cutting techniques Leaf-bud cuttings (single eye or single node)Leaf-bud cuttings (single eye or single node) –Leaf blade, petiole, & stem piece with axillary bud –Only adventitious roots need to form –Camellia, maples, rhododendron, tropical shrubs –Insert stem 1/2 - 1” into rooting mix

Cutting techniques Root cuttingsRoot cuttings –From young stock plants in late winter/early spring –High in CHO’s –Polarity is important… proximal end up –Or can lay horizontally in the mix –Cover lightly, 1/2” maximum

Cutting techniques Ways to improve rooting of cuttingsWays to improve rooting of cuttings –Proper rooting medium –Wounding StrippingStripping GirdlingGirdling –Auxins IBA best or a combination of IBA & NAAIBA best or a combination of IBA & NAA K-IBA (talc or water solution) for softwood & semi- hardwoodK-IBA (talc or water solution) for softwood & semi- hardwood IBA in alcohol best with dormant hardwood cuttingsIBA in alcohol best with dormant hardwood cuttings

Cutting techniques How to prepare an IBA quick-dip!How to prepare an IBA quick-dip! –Know which form of IBA you have so you know which solvent to use Ex: You want 1 liter of a 5,000 ppm solution FACT: 1 ppm = 1 mg/L Therefore: 5,000 ppm = 5,000 mg/L or 5 g/L

Cutting techniques Question: You want 200 ml of a 5,000 ppm solution 5,000 mg5g 5,000 mg5g LL LL 5g X g 5g X g 1000 ml200 ml

Cutting techniques 1000 gml = 1000 X gml Divide through by 1000 X = 1 g per 200 ml

Cutting techniques Quick-dip:Quick-dip: – ,000 ppm (0.05 to 1%) –Dip base in about 1/2 - 1” for sec. –Easy, consistent, stable –If in alcohol… it will evaporate over time and the auxin will become more concentrated

Cutting techniques TalcTalc –1, ,000 ppm ( %) –Easy –Can be inconsistent (amount of talc adhering to the cutting base will vary) –Generally less effective than a similar concentration of IBA applied as a liquid

Cutting techniques Other auxin application methodsOther auxin application methods –Spray on foliage –Immerse herbaceous cuttings in ppm –Soak cuttings (basal portion) in ppm

Cutting techniques Disease prevention while taking cuttingsDisease prevention while taking cuttings –Start with disease-free stock plants –Apply fungicides In auxin talc or solutionIn auxin talc or solution Drench medium after stickingDrench medium after sticking –Clean workspace and tools with sterilants Bleach (10%)Bleach (10%) Physan 20 or Green ShieldPhysan 20 or Green Shield Note: Rubbing alcohol is not effective against virusesNote: Rubbing alcohol is not effective against viruses

Cutting techniques Mist systemMist system –Intermittent mist - Time clock and solenoidTime clock and solenoid “Leaf” and solenoid (Mist-O-Matic)“Leaf” and solenoid (Mist-O-Matic) –Fog High pressureHigh pressure UltrasonicUltrasonic –Problems Algal growthAlgal growth Water quality (pH, salts, debris)Water quality (pH, salts, debris)

Cutting techniques Cutting nutrition:Cutting nutrition: –NO fertigation –Can use slow-release fertilizers but not recommended Weed controlWeed control –by hand!

Cutting techniques Hardening-off:Hardening-off: –The process of gradually acclimating rooted cuttings from high humidity to reduced humidity –First reduce mist frequency –Finally, remove from mist, pot up and keep in an area out of excessive sun and wind