Download - Asexual Propagation
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 CuttingsSucculent 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 HormonesIndoleacetic Acid (IAA) natural plant hormone causes roots to form on stemsIBA & 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 rootingThe 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 CuttingsStem 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 indibbled 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.