1. Plant Propagation

2. Remember, germination of a seed is part of sexual reproduction. It can take awhile for a seed to develop into a mature plant. Through asexual reproduction, many plants can produce genetically identical offshoots (clones) of themselves, which then develop into independent plants  also known as vegetative propagation

3. Types of Plant Propagation Tubers (underground part of plant) Seen in potatoes Has tiny scale leaves equipped with buds that grow on its surface. Buds form a new plant that is genetically identical to parent plant

4. Types of Plant Propagation Runners Seen in strawberries Horizontal (side-ways) stems running out from parent plant Nodes on these runner can develop into new plants that are genetically identical to parent plant

5. Types of Plant Propagation Division Breaking up plants into two or more parts Keeps perennials healthy, prevents overgrown plants and makes new plants (free $) from original parent plant

6. Types of Plant Propagation Grafting Parts of two young plants are joined together A twig or bud is cut from one plant and joined to a rooted plant of a related species. The twig or bud is called the scion, and the plant onto which is it grafted (and that provides the roots) is called the stock. The scion eventually develops into an entire shoot system. Merge favourable parts of two different plants into one plant Some advantages: make dwarf plants (eg. Apple trees), hybrid breeding, make plants more hardy (more cold-resistant), repair tree trunks, etc

8. Types of Plant Propagation Bulbs Onions, tulips, etc Underground; short stems with fleshy leaves or leaf base (dried in onions) Each bulb contains several other buds which can give rise to new plants

9. Types of Plant Propagation Leaf Cuttings African violets, begonias, etc Take a nice mature leaf, trim it and and root it in fast-draining soil medium to encourage growth of new plantlets to be re-potted later

10. Advantages of Plant Propagation Faster & cheaper to grow new plants than traditional pollination Get new varieties (eg. Grafting = possible new hybrids?) Avoids transmission of disease (if parent plant is disease-free) Get superior plants, esp. if parent plant is superior! Some plants do not produce viable seeds (needed for sexual reproduction), so asexual is the way to go!