Bellringer What is a plant that is propagated asexually? Why would a grower want to asexually propagate?

Plant Propagation Remember when you did this?

Now people do this.

What does propagate mean? Latin propagatus, past participle of propagare to set slips, propagate, from propages slip, offspring, pro- before + pangere to fasten Date: circa 1570

History of Propagation Ancient peoples Middle ages –Herbals Victorians

Sexual Propagation Flower parts

Seeds are Formed by… Pollination :The transfer of pollen from the anthers to the female stigma by a pollinating agent such as wind, insects, birds, bats, or in a few cases the opening of the flower itself.anthersstigma Fertilization: The fusion of two gametes (sperm and ovum) to produce a zygote that develops into a new individual with a genetic heritage derived from both parents.gametes zygote

Pollinators

Seeds- A packaged plant surrounded by endosperm (food) and protective seed coat Germination of a Bean Seed

Asexual or Vegetative Propagation Leaf Cuttings and Leaf-bud Cuttings Stem Cuttings Root Cuttings Division Layering –Tip Layering –Air Layering Grafting Bulbs, Corms, Rhizomes, Tubers, Stolons

Leaf Cuttings- Use only the leaf Vein cutting from leaf Remember Polarity or which way is up! Leaf Section Cutting African violet

How do leaf cuttings grow? Origins of roots and shoots varies Meristem tissue - Group of embryonic cells that can differentiate and produce new cells Compounds trigger growth of roots and shoots Root apical meristematic tissue of onion Shoot apical meristematic tissue

Stem Cuttings- Use the stem and leaves or just the stem. Cuttings should be 6-10” long & between nodes Dibble, then place cutting in soil

How Do Stem Cuttings Work? How roots develop –Response to wounding-induced differentiation –Cells begin to divide –Callus begins to form –Certain cells begin to divide and initiate root development

Root, Cane Cuttings- Uses roots or shoots Stokesia Root Blackberry root Cane cutting

Bulbs- Specialized roots and stems Bulbs - Underground organ with scales and basal plate 1. Tunicate- onion, garlic, daffodil, tulip 2. Non-Tunicate- Lily

Corms- Specialized roots and stems Corms- Swollen base of stem axis, give rise to new bulblets Examples –Gladiolus, –Crocus Gladiolus corm with bulblets

Rhizomes, Tubers, Stolons Potato Tuber Stolon Dahlia tuber Iris rhizome

Division- To separate a clump into individual plants-Used for perennials and some houseplants Photos from Garden Gate Magazine Dig up Mother Plant Clean off root ball Separate roots to find individual plants and plant

Layering- Growing new plants while attached to the mother plant. They are later separated. Ground layering Air layering

Grafting and Budding- Used to attach one plant to the other for strength or variety Bud-grafting Whip Grafting

How can I propagate my bulbs? Tunicate Bulbs –Cuttage (8 Sections) Non-tunicate Bulbs Bulb Scales

When to propagate Late spring and early summer= optimal growing time Depends on type of cutting Need to check resources for specific plants. Each one may have an optimal time Some seeds need to go through stratification or period of cold to break dormancy Some seeds need to be scarified or scratched

Propagation Environment Aerial Environment –Humidity –Light –Temperature –Air quality Growing Medium –Moisture level –Temperature –Aeration –pH –Nutrient level

Equipment and Hygiene- Keep everything clean so disease is not spread Pruning knife Hand cutters Watering Can Liners and Light Sterilize all tools with alcohol after use!

Soil Purpose of soil –Larger particles (sand) holds plant in place –Smaller particles hold water and nutrients Ingredients in soil –Vermiculite= Holds moisture –Perlite= Increases aeration –Peat=Moisten –Helps stop decomposition –Sand=Drainage –Sphagnum Moss= Holds water well, lightweight Recipes and proportions vary depending on plant!

When can I plant it? Gently tug on the cutting to see if your plant has developed a good root system Repot in larger pot if necessary

Have fun and enjoy your new plants!