Asexual Plant Propagation How to take cutting By Matt Jakubik

Objectives: You will be able to identify the areas on a plant from which cuttings may be taken. You will be able to recognize materials, plants, and chemical hormones needed for successful plant propagation by cuttings.

Objectives Continued: You will be able to demonstrate the ability to take cuttings off plants, and place them in a potting medium. You will be able to determine if successful root formation occurs.

What is asexual plant propagation? It is the production of offspring by use of vegetative parts, rather than a seed of a plant used to produce a new plant.

Why would you want to use asexual plant propagation? Plants are produced quicker Disease free stock Plants will be genetically identical to their parents. Cost Plants with or without reproductive parts can be produced.

Cuttings: Where can cuttings be taken from? –Roots –Stems –Leaves –Modified Stems

Materials: Plants Rooting Hormone (Auxin) Scissors Plant Pot Soil Four Popsicle Sticks

Safety Reminder: Be extremely careful when using the scissors to take cuttings. Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing when using the rooting hormone. Remember no horseplay in the lab. Share all materials.

Taking Cuttings: Root Cuttings- cut into 2-3 in sections. Stem Cuttings- cut a small portion of the stem with node. Make sure to cut the stem at an angle. (surface area) Modified Stem- Each cutting must have an “eye” or thickened area for root and shoot development.

Taking Cuttings Continued: Leaf Cuttings- –Leaf- Petiole- will include both the leaf and the petiole. –Leaf Section – will consist of a section of the leaf either cut radiantly down the center or horizontally.

Application 1.Collect 4 cuttings from the plants One leaf cutting One stem cutting One modified stem cutting One plantlet

Application Continued: 2. Fill a pot with potting soil 3. Dip each individual plant in the rooting hormone. 4.Plant the plants in the pots. 5.Label each type of plant and identify the type of cutting. 6.Place pots in the greenhouse for further evaluation.

Summary We identified the areas from which cuttings may be taken. We discussed materials, plants, and chemical hormones needed for successful plant propagation by cuttings. We took cuttings from plants and placed them in a potting medium.

Summary Continued: We placed the cuttings in the greenhouse for further evaluation to determine if root formation occurs.