1. Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Unit 6 Seeds

2. Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Propagation is the reproduction of plants Most common method is through seeds –Sexual process—requires the union of pollen (male sex cell) and egg (female sex cell) –Self-pollination—both from same parent –Cross-pollination—each from separate parents –Seeds are means of rapidly increasing the number of certain plants; quick and economical (continued) Seeds

3. Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Reproduction of Plants Hybrids—exact duplicates of two different cultivars of one type of plant, each of which has a certain desired characteristic Cultivar????? Crossed (bred)—female and male plant produce offspring with the best characteristics of each parenting plant Heirloom, open-pollinated (continued)

4. Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Reproduction of Plants Asexual—exact duplication of one parent; seeds Germination—the first start of growth in a seed

5. Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Except for seeds, these are all vegetative methods of propagation Other Propagation Methods –micropropagation –seeds –layering –division root cuttings –leaf and leaf bud –GENETIC VARIATION???? –budding –grafting –cutting –stem cutting (continued)

6. Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Other Propagation Methods Except for seeds, these are all vegetative methods of propagation –Tissue culture or micro-propagation—newest approach asexual method in which growing shoot, tip, or bud is separated and grown on an agar gel or other nutrient medium; used with orchids

7. Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Proper environmental and cultural conditions must be provided for successful germination: temperature, moisture, light, and medium Named cultivars are specific individual plants named to indicate their particular traits—not hybrids Many perennials are grown from seed Propagation of Plants from Seeds

8. Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Scarification—soaking or scratching hard seed coat using sandpaper, scratching, or acid bath Stratified—buried in moist sand to keep cool (continued) Special Treatment of Seeds for Germination

9. Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Special Treatment of Seeds for Germination Dormant stage—moist, cold rest period at temperatures below 37°F for 8+ weeks Alternate wetting and drying Light versus darkness

10. Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Seed coat –Outside covering for protection Endosperm –Food storage tissue that nourishes embryonic plant during germination Seeds are means of rapidly increasing the number of certain plants; quick and economical Embryo –New plant that is developed as a result of fertilization –Extends roots and seed leaves to form a new plant (continued) Composition of Seeds

11. Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Seeds grown locally Tested From reliable dealer Vigor Uniformity Flowering ability Primed Identification and Selection of Seeds

12. Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Germination Medium Soil should be loam of 45% mineral matter, 5% organic matter, 25% air, and 25% water (continued)

13. Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Germination Medium Other mediums used for enhancing the soil –Construction grade sand, peat moss, sphagnum moss, horticultural grade perlite, vermiculite, Jiffy-Mix

14. Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Indirect seeding—Seed is sown in a place separate from where the plant will eventually grow to maturity, such as in flats Direct seeding – Seed is sown where it is going to eventually grow. When to seed—Seeds must be planted on certain dates for proper timing of planting and for holidays (continued) Planting Seeds

15. Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Planting Seeds Sowing seeds—Follow directions on the packet –After seeds are sown, cover with medium –Label with name, variety, and date Watering the seed flat—Do not water from the top; place flat in a watering tub

16. Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Semi-shaded area and receive a bottom heat of 65°F to 75°F degrees –Cover with pane of glass or clear plastic –Feed weekly with water-soluble fertilizer –Harden off the plants for transplanting (continued) Conditions for Germination and Transplanting

17. Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Conditions for Germination and Transplanting Transplanting seedlings from flats—After seeds germinate, they develop leaves or cotyledons; the first true leaves must appear before transplanting Transplanting from pots—be careful of pot- bound roots

18. Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Direct Seeding Many seeds are planted directly in the permanent growing area Most economical method of seeding Plants such as corn, melons, beans, beets, peas, lettuce, carrots, and most other vegetable crops are grown by this process (continued)

19. Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Direct Seeding Some vegetables, such as tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, and eggplant, are generally transplanted Some trees and shrubs are also grown by direct seeding In direct seeding, the planting medium is the soil (continued)

20. Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Direct Seeding It is important: –to plant the right cultivar at the right time in the right soil Seeds may need treatment to prevent disease or insect damage Weather conditions largely determine germination and initial growth

21. Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Flats When seeding a flat, the same conditions are needed for germination as in direct seeding –There must be sufficient moisture and aeration –The seedbed must allow firm contact with the seed (continued)

22. Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Flats When seeding a flat, the same conditions are needed for germination as in direct seeding –The temperature must be high enough to support the germination process –Requirements for germination of specific seeds are given in the directions on the label of the seed packet

23. Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Wrap Up Seeds –Most economical ways to propagate plants –Used to grow many of our important food crops as well as ornamental plants for the landscape (continued)

24. Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Wrap Up Seeds –The fact that not all plants propagate true from seed must be kept in mind –Asexual methods, such as cuttings or grafting, must be used to propagate plants not growing true from seed