Vegetative Propagation of Horticulture Plants by Cuttings

Introduction Vegetative propagation also called as asexual propagation is another method of plant propagation used widely in horticultural crops. Vegetative propagation uses several of the plant parts for reproducing the plant asexually. Cuttings Runners Storage organs Layering Grafting Micropropagation

Introduction Vegetative propagation is used to get the similar genetic background of mother plants. Good skill, knowledge and experience aids in vegetative propagation of plants in large scale. Vegetative propagation is widely used in horticultural crops’ nurseries.

Introduction The advantages of vegetative propagation are: Mass production of plants using plant parts of mother parent. No seed is required to multiply varieties having desired quantitative and qualitative traits Useful technique in production of plants which are difficult to propagate using seed.

Propagation using Cuttings One of the easiest way of plant propagation is by using cuttings from various parts of the plants such as: Stem cuttings Root cuttings Leaf cuttings

Propagation using Cuttings Stem cuttings Cuttings should generally consist of the current or past season’s growth. Avoid material with flower buds if possible. Remove any flowers and flower buds when preparing cuttings so the cutting’s energy can be used in producing new roots rather than flowers.

Propagation using Cuttings Stem cuttings Take cuttings from healthy, disease-free plants, preferably from the upper part of the plant. Avoid taking cuttings from plants that show symptoms of mineral nutrient deficiency. Conversely, plants that have been fertilized heavily, particularly with nitrogen, may not root well.

Propagation using Cuttings Stem cuttings The fertility status of the stock (parent) plant can influence rooting. The stock plant should not be under moisture stress. In general, cuttings taken from young plants root in higher percentages than cuttings taken from older, more mature plants.

Propagation using Cuttings Stem cuttings Early morning is the best time to take cuttings, because the plant is fully turgid. While terminal parts of the stem are best, a long shoot can be divided into several cuttings. Cuttings are generally 4 to 6 inches long.

Propagation using Cuttings Stem cuttings Use a sharp, thin-bladed pocket knife or sharp pruning shears. If necessary, dip the cutting tool in rubbing alcohol or a mixture of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water to prevent transmitting diseases from infected plant parts to healthy ones.

Propagation using Cuttings Stem cuttings Remove the leaves from the lower one-third to one-half of the cutting (Fig.) On large-leafed plants, the remaining leaves may be cut in half to reduce water loss and conserve space.

Propagation using Cuttings Types of Stem cuttings Softwood cuttings are prepared from soft, succulent, new growth of woody plants, just as it begins to harden (mature). Shoots are suitable for making softwood cuttings when they can be snapped easily when bent and when they still have a gradation of leaf size (oldest leaves are mature while newest leaves are still small).

Propagation using Cuttings Types of Stem cuttings Semi-hardwood cuttings are usually prepared from partially mature wood of the current season’s growth, just after a flush of growth. The wood is reasonably firm and the leaves of mature size. Many broadleaf evergreen shrubs and some conifers are propagated by this method.

Propagation using Cuttings Types of Stem cuttings Hardwood cuttings are taken from dormant, mature stems. The wood is firm and does not bend easily. Hardwood cuttings are used most often for deciduous shrubs but can be used for many evergreens.

Propagation using Cuttings Types of Stem cuttings The three types of hardwood cuttings are straight, mallet, and heel (Fig.). A straight cutting (1) is the most commonly used stem cutting. Mallet (2) and heel cuttings (3) are used for plants that might otherwise be more difficult to root. 1 2 3

Propagation using Cuttings Root cuttings Taking root cuttings is one of the most reliable and economical ways to produce many perennial and woody plants. Take a close look at the roots that you want to take cuttings from and make sure they're healthy, living roots, not dead ones that look black or dried out.

Propagation using Cuttings Root cuttings Look for large fleshy roots, the thicker the better. Choose roots that are pencil thick. Take 2 to 6 inch (2 to 15 cm) cuttings and then cut into 2 to 3 inch (6 to 7.5 cm) sections.

Propagation using Cuttings Root cuttings The best way to keep track of "up" and "down" is to make a flat cut on top or "up" side, and a slanted cut on "down" or bottom side. Water the plants to settle the roots back into the soil properly.

Propagation using Cuttings Leaf cuttings Whole leaf cuttings are prepared from leaves with or without their stalks (called petioles). Roots and leaves will eventually form at the base of the leaf (Fig.). Leaf section cuttings can be used for propagating plants. The leaves are cut into pieces, with the edge of the cuttings closest to the base of the parent plant inserted into the rooting medium .

Propagation using Cuttings Leaf cuttings Leaf bud cuttings consist of a single leaf attached to a piece of 1 to 1 1/2 inch stem. The dormant bud, located where the leaf stalk joins the stem will give rise to a new shoot and branches (Fig.). The cutting should be inserted in the rooting medium with the bud about 1/2 inch below the surface.