2. Plant Propagation

3. The process of increasing the numbers of a species, maintaining a species, or preserving the vigor of a plant.

4. Successful Plant Propagation Knowledge of technical skills –T–The art of plant propagation Knowledge of plant biology –M–Morphology, anatomy, physiology, etc. Knowledge of plants –S–Selected method related to conditions and techniques to propagate an individual plant

5. Plant Propagation Sexual Propagation – Recombination of genetic materials to form uniquely genetic individual Asexual Propagation – Use of vegetative organs to create plantlets genetically identical to parent plant

6. Sexual Propagation

7. Propagation by Seed Biology – Pollination – Anatomy – Germination Applied – Purchasing – Starting – Transplanting – Collecting – Storing

8. Pollination Pollination: transfer of pollen from anther (male part) to stigma (female part) in a flower. – Exchange of genetic material

9. Monocots vs. Dicots

12. Pollination Self pollination: – Transfer on same flower – From different flowers on the same plant o – From flowers on different plants of the same cultivar – Examples: Beans, peas, lettuce, eggplant, peppers, and tomatoes

13. Pollination Cross pollination: – Transfer of pollen on plants of different cultivars of the same species – Examples: Onions, cucumbers, corn, pumpkins, squash, broccoli, beets, carrots, cabbage, cauliflower, melons, radishes, spinach, Swiss chard and turnips

14. Pollination Fertilization – the union of a male reproductive cell and a female reproductive cell that is capable of developing into an new individual

15. Anatomy Embryo: miniature plant in arrested development Endosperm (Cotyledons): built-in food storage Seed Coat: hard out covering for protection, prevents water from entering and initiating germination before proper time.

16. Anatomy

17. Embryo Endosperm Seed Coat

18. Germination The process of seed growth and development

19. Germination Dormancy – Viable seed that will not germinate when in proper environment – Due to internal or external cause

20. Germination Quiescent – Ripened seed, ready to germinate, waiting for the proper environmental conditions for germinations – Allows seed to survive over periods of time

21. Germination Scarification – Physically altering the seed coat to allow moisture penetration – Natural scarification processes: passing seed through GI tract of animals, weathering of coat – Artificial scarification processes: hot water bath, sandpaper, etc. – Breaks seed coat allowing moisture to enter!

22. Germination Stratification – Exposing a seed to moisture and specific temperatures (cold) in order to encourage germination – Degrades chemical inhibitors causing dormancy

23. Germination Factors affecting germination – Water (moisture) – Light (or dark) – Oxygen – Heat

24. Germination Water (moisture) – Penetrates seed coat---Imbibition – Endosperm swells- seed coat splits – Dissolves nutrients to initiate germination

25. Germination Light (or dark) – Can stimulate or inhibit germination – Check seed package for planting instructions

26. Germination Oxygen – Required for respiration – Facilitated with light, well aerated soil mix

27. Germination Heat – Optimum range for germination – Many seeds have wide range – Check catalog or seed package for instructions – Drives metabolic process

28. Propagation by Seed Biology – Pollination – Anatomy – Germination Applied – Purchasing – Starting – Transplanting – Collecting – Storing

30. Purchasing Seed Choose superior cultivars High quality seed – Disease resistant cultivars when available Garden centers Mail order – Obtain by mid-February

31. Purchasing Seed Germination rates – Expected percentage of seed to germinate – Generally, 65-80% will germinate – 60-75% will grow into useful seedlings – May affect density of planting

32. Starting Indoors – Small seeds – Long season plants Supplies needed – Grow lights – Clean containers (with drainage) – Sterile seed starting medium – Location with proper ventilation and temperature

33. Starting Growing media – Loose, uniform, fine texture – Mixes labeled for seed starting – Pasteurized (sterile) – May be low in fertility

35. Starting Containers – Any container will do – Disinfested – Good drainage – Adequate root space

36. Starting Containers – Compressed peat pellets – Peat pots – Paper pots – Plastic cell packs – Flats

40. Starting Sowing – Account for seed germination in timing factor and growing time – 2 weeks to germinate, 6 weeks to transplant date - 8 weeks for full development time. – Sow in mid-March or April depending on plant species and growing conditions

41. Starting Fill container to within ¼ inch of the top of the rim with moistened seed-starting medium

42. Starting Large seeds directly in pots or cell packs – Squash, cucumber, watermelon – 2 per pot – Use pencil or dibble to make hole for seeds – Cover with media related to seed size

43. Starting Small seeds scatter on surface of large cell packs or other containers for later transplant – Sprinkle more potting media over seeds or sphagnum moss (sphagnum moss helps prevent damping off) – Mix small seeds with sugar or extremely fine sand to help with equal distribution

44. Starting Watering – Water from below in tray before seeds germinate and when seedlings are very small – Allow drying between waterings Helps prevent damping-off – Standing water in flats leads to disease problems – Don’t allow seedlings to wilt – Cell damage can occur that is permanent

45. Starting Moisture – Plastic covers are useful to trap moisture – Retains moisture – Remove to promote hardening of tissues

46. Starting Supplemental lighting – 3” – 4” from light source – Cool white and warm white fluorescent lights – Move lights as plants grow or move plants – 14 – 16 hours a day Timers are inexpensive and very useful – High intensity and quality light less leggy plants

47. Starting Temperature – Nights 60 –68 F and 75 F Good rule of thumb-day temperatures 10 degrees warm than night. – Cool season crops cooler day/night temps 55 degrees night – 65 degrees day – Warm season crops higher day/night temps 65 degrees night – 75 degrees day – Heating mats

49. Starting Fertilization – After germination – Go ½ rate, avoid burn – Two week intervals

50. Starting Transplanting – Move to larger container when first set of true leaves form – Lift seedlings from containers with small flat tool – Tease apart tangled plants/roots – Handle by true leaves