Asexual Propagation

Asexual Propagation? A= without Therefore asexual= without sex Without sex = No pollination

How?

Clones the parent plant to create identical replicas of the plant.

Uses plant parts such as leaves, roots, and stems to start new plants.

Reasons to Use Asexual Propagation

To produce uniform, superior plants

Many plants don’t come true from seeds

Some plants don’t produce viable seeds

Take advantage of useful “freaks of nature”

MutantTissue

A group of plants derived from a single individual plant.

Disadvantage:

NO Genetic Diversity!

Most common type of asexual propagation

Common Types of Cuttings: Stem Cuttings Leaf Cuttings Leaf Bud Cuttings Root Cuttings

Rules for Cuttings

Typically take cuttings from new growth

Collect cuttings early in the morning Collect cuttings from healthy stock

plants Provide proper environment for

rooting

Herbaceous Cuttings

Succulent greenhouse plants can make numerous cuttings

from parent plant cuttings 2-6 inches long

Herbaceous CuttingsStem Cuttings remove bottom leaves roots will grow from the node

where leaves were attached Use rooting hormone-

ROOTONEspeeds rooting process

Rooting Hormones

Indoleacetic Acid (IAA) natural plant hormone causes roots to form on stems

IBA & NAA Most commonly used Comes in powder or solution

The Proper Environment...

The Media Must be sterile Must provide air exchange Must hold moisture Bottom heat helps speed rooting

The Atmosphere Need HIGH relative humidity near

100%

Herbaceous CuttingsLeaf Cuttings

African Violet Use leaf and petiole Rex Begonia Vivaparious leaf cutting Leaf Section cutting Snake plant

Herbaceous CuttingsLeaf-bud cuttings

cut bud and leaf from stem cut leaf to a smaller size requires less moisture firm into soil, water and cover in a

moisture right container. Can make many more cuttings from parent

plant than with stem cuttings rooting hormone should be weaker

strength.

Herbaceous CuttingsRoot Cuttings Can be made from any plant that will

sprout or sucker from the root. Cut roots 1/8 to 1/2 inch in diameter in

pieces 1-4 inches long. place in sand in a flat water cover with glass or plastic when new shoots sprout move plants to

nursery row ex: raspberry

Woody & Semi Woody Cuttings

When to take cuttings: After current or present

seasons growth has partially hardened.

Cuttings should still be able to bend.

Woody & Semi Woody Cuttings

Stem Cuttings

Collecting cuttings: Early morning is the best time

to take cuttings.

Woody & Semi Woody Cuttings

Making Cuttings

Make cutting 2-4 inches long.

¼ Inch below a leaf, bud, or side shoot.

Remove any blooms on cutting.

Woody & Semi Woody Cuttings

Caring For Cuttings Place cutting in a sanitizing

water/bleach solution immediately after taking cutting.

Be sure to remember which is the top of the cutting. If you bury the top of the cutting, the

cutting won’t root.

Woody & Semi Woody Cuttings

Caring For Cuttings

Cut bottom at a 45° angle. allows more

surface area to contact media for water absorption.

Woody & Semi Woody

Cuttings Preparing Container

Fill plug tray with sterilized medium. Use a dipple to dipple holes in the

media for easy insertion of cutting.

Woody & Semi Woody Cuttings

Treating Cuttings

Strip cuttings lower leaves. will prevent the cutting from rooting.

Dip cutting in rooting hormone #3. chemicals which help cuttings grow

more quickly and grow a larger number of roots.

Woody & Semi Woody Cuttings

Inserting Cuttings

Place dipped cutting in

dibbled hole. Gently press media around cutting. Label cutting with name and

variety, include name of rooting hormone used.

Woody & Semi Woody Cuttings Care of Cuttings With Greenhouse Place finished plug tray in

greenhouse. Water cuttings with an automatic

mist system. Bottom heat tubing stimulates root

growth.

Woody & Semi Woody Cuttings Care of Cuttings Without Greenhouse Enclose plug tray in clear

plastic. Place out of direct sunlight.

Woody & Semi Woody Cuttings Rooting Of Cuttings

Check for roots by pulling out cutting. Immature root system= roots don’t

hold soil, so soil crumbles in hand. Root bound= roots coiled tightly

around soil.

Woody & Semi Woody Cuttings Rooting Of Cuttings

*Mature root system= roots hold

soil, so soil doesn’t crumble in hand. *Ideal and ready to transplant.

Growth on the tips or sides is normal, but does not indicate root growth.