Plant Propagation 18.00: Apply different methods of plant propagation as related to horticultural plant production

Objective 18.01 Summarize both sexual and asexual methods of plant propagation and the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Propagation The multiplication of a kind or species. Reproduction of a species.

Sexual Propagation Propagation from seeds. Pollen is transferred from the anther to the stigma. Fertilization occurs and seeds are produced.

Germination Rates Percent of seeds that sprout 75 out of 100=75% Rate is affected by seed viability, temperature and moisture. Rates vary depending on plant and quality of seed.

Seeds Plant depth depends on the size of seeds larger seeds are planted deeper water small seeds from bottom by soaking Embryo Seed Coat Endosperm

Seedlings (small plants) Transplant when first true leaves appear Reduce humidity and water and make environment more like outside to “harden off” plants

Seeds to Seedlings

Advantages of Sexual Reproduction Fast way to get many plants Easy to do Economical

Disadvantages of Sexual Reproduction Some plants, especially hybrids, do not reproduce true to parents Some plants are difficult to propagate from seeds

Asexual Reproduction Uses growing plant parts other than seeds Types of asexual reproduction: cuttings layering division or separation budding grafting tissue culture

Rooting from Cuttings Rooting media should be about 4 inches deep Best time of day is early mornings because plants have more moisture Types of cuttings: stem leaf root

Stem Cuttings Using a small piece of stem to reproduce plants using hormones and dipping in fungicides help speed up rooting

Leaf cuttings Using small pieces of leaves to reproduce new plants from herbaceous plants vein must be cut

Gather all materials needed Stem Cuttings-Step 1 Gather all materials needed

Cut 3 to 4 inch shoot from stem tip Stem Cuttings-Step 2 Cut 3 to 4 inch shoot from stem tip

Remove lower leaves from the shoot Stem Cuttings-Step 3 Remove lower leaves from the shoot

Dip cut surface in rooting hormone Stem Cuttings-Step 4 Dip cut surface in rooting hormone

Thoroughly moisten rooting medium Stem Cuttings-Step 5 Thoroughly moisten rooting medium

Stick one or more cuttings in rooting media Stem Cuttings-Step 6 Stick one or more cuttings in rooting media

Stem Cuttings-Step 7 Cover with plastic wrap or place on a mist bench in a warm area away from direct sunlight.

Once rooted, cuttings can be separated carefully and transplanted Stem Cuttings-Step 8 Once rooted, cuttings can be separated carefully and transplanted

Root Cuttings Using small pieces of roots to reproduce plants should be three inches apart in rooting area

Layering Scarring a small area of stem to produce new plants air layering trench layering

Trench Layering

Division or Separation Cutting or pulling apart plant structures for reproduction bulbs corms rhizomes tubers runners stolons suckers

Bulbs

Grafting Joining separate plant parts together so that they form a union and grow together to make one plant. Wedge Graft Approach Graft

Grafting Terms Scion-the piece of plant at the top of the graft Rootstock-the piece of the plant at the root or bottom of the graft

Methods of Grafting If the scion and rootstock are the same size wedge splice whip and tongue approach

Methods of Grafting If the scion is smaller than the rootstock cleft side notch bark inlay

Budding A form of grafting when a bud is used patch budding T-budding Chip Budding Chip Budding

How to perform T-budding Step 2 Step 4 Step 1 Step 3

Tissue Culture Using a small amount of plant tissue to grow in a sterile environment The most plants in a short time True to parent plant

Advantages of Asexual Production Plants mature in a shorter time Budding is faster than grafting In trench layering, a plant forms at each node on a covered stem Some plants do not produce viable seed New plants are the same as the parent plant

Disadvantages of Asexual Reproduction Some require special equipment and skills, such as grafting Cuttings detach plant parts from water and nutrient source Some plants are patented making propagation illegal