Plant Propagation What are the various propagation techniques used by horticulturists to reproduce plants?

Objectives         

Why is plant propagation important? What is the difference between sexual and asexual propagation? How do you successfully direct seed outdoors? What are the factors involved in planting seeds for transplanting? What are the various methods of stem cutting propagation? What are the various types of growing media used for cuttings? What is grafting and what are three common methods? What is the difference between separation and division in plant propagation? Why is tissue culture important?

Why is plant propagation important?

Why is plant propagation important? 

Plant propagation- reproduction of new plants from seeds and vegetative parts, such as leaves, stems, or roots

Why is plant propagation important? 



Plant propagation- reproduction of new plants from seeds and vegetative parts, such as leaves, stems, or roots Produce new and better breeds of plants faster

Why is plant propagation important? 

 

Plant propagation- reproduction of new plants from seeds and vegetative parts, such as leaves, stems, or roots Produce new and better breeds of plants faster Can reproduce exact duplicates of desirable plants

Why is plant propagation important? 

  

Plant propagation- reproduction of new plants from seeds and vegetative parts, such as leaves, stems, or roots Produce new and better breeds of plants faster Can reproduce exact duplicates of desirable plants Can increase quality of plant and food items

What is the difference between sexual and asexual propagation?

What is the difference between sexual and asexual propagation? 

Sexual propagation

What is the difference between sexual and asexual propagation? 

Sexual propagation 

Reproduction of plants with the use of seeds

What is the difference between sexual and asexual propagation? 

Sexual propagation  

Reproduction of plants with the use of seeds Requires the union of pollen and egg to produce the seed

What is the difference between sexual and asexual propagation? 

Sexual propagation   

Reproduction of plants with the use of seeds Requires the union of pollen and egg to produce the seed Requires extensive research to get best crossing of plants for the desired outcome

What is the difference between sexual and asexual propagation? 

Sexual propagation   



Reproduction of plants with the use of seeds Requires the union of pollen and egg to produce the seed Requires extensive research to get best crossing of plants for the desired outcome May require years to produce the desired seed

What is the difference between sexual and asexual propagation?

What is the difference between sexual and asexual propagation? 

Asexual propagation

What is the difference between sexual and asexual propagation? 

Asexual propagation 

Reproduction of new plants from existing stem, leaf or root of parent plant

What is the difference between sexual and asexual propagation? 

Asexual propagation 



Reproduction of new plants from existing stem, leaf or root of parent plant No seed is formed

What is the difference between sexual and asexual propagation? 

Asexual propagation 

 

Reproduction of new plants from existing stem, leaf or root of parent plant No seed is formed Produces an exact duplicate of the parent plant called a clone

What is the difference between sexual and asexual propagation? 

Asexual propagation 

 



Reproduction of new plants from existing stem, leaf or root of parent plant No seed is formed Produces an exact duplicate of the parent plant called a clone Can produce new plants from plants that are difficult to produce from seed

What are types of asexual propagation?

What are types of asexual propagation? 

Stem cuttings

What are types of asexual propagation?  

Stem cuttings Leaf cuttings

What are types of asexual propagation?   

Stem cuttings Leaf cuttings Leaf-bud cuttings

What are types of asexual propagation?    

Stem cuttings Leaf cuttings Leaf-bud cuttings Root cuttings

What are types of asexual propagation?     

Stem cuttings Leaf cuttings Leaf-bud cuttings Root cuttings Grafting

What are types of asexual propagation?      

Stem cuttings Leaf cuttings Leaf-bud cuttings Root cuttings Grafting Budding

What are types of asexual propagation?       

Stem cuttings Leaf cuttings Leaf-bud cuttings Root cuttings Grafting Budding Layering

What are types of asexual propagation?        

Stem cuttings Leaf cuttings Leaf-bud cuttings Root cuttings Grafting Budding Layering Separation and division

What are types of asexual propagation?         

Stem cuttings Leaf cuttings Leaf-bud cuttings Root cuttings Grafting Budding Layering Separation and division Tissue culture

How do you successfully direct seed outdoors? 

Direct seeding 

Seeds are planted directly into the soil outdoors where the plants are intended to be grown

Success depends upon:

Success depends upon: 

Site selection- adequate sunlight & soil drainage

Success depends upon:  

Site selection- adequate sunlight & soil drainage Seedbed preparation- need loose, fine soil free of weeds

Success depends upon:   

Site selection- adequate sunlight & soil drainage Seedbed preparation- need loose, fine soil free of weeds Planting date- determined by germination temperature required by seeds

Success depends upon:    

Site selection- adequate sunlight & soil drainage Seedbed preparation- need loose, fine soil free of weeds Planting date- determined by germination temperature required by seeds Planting depth and spacing- need to be sown at proper planting depths and spacing  



If unknown, plant 3-4x width of seed % germination, conditions, and mature size affect spacing

Moisture  

Water when first planted Keep soil moist, but not wet

What are the factors involved in planting seeds for transplanting?

What are the factors involved in planting seeds for transplanting? 

Indirect seeding

What are the factors involved in planting seeds for transplanting? 

Indirect seeding

What are the factors involved in planting seeds for transplanting? 

Indirect seeding 

Seeds planted indoors or in greenhouse in containers of germination medium

What are the factors involved in planting seeds for transplanting? 

Indirect seeding 

Seeds planted indoors or in greenhouse in containers of germination medium

What are the factors involved in planting seeds for transplanting? 

Indirect seeding 

Seeds planted indoors or in greenhouse in containers of germination medium



Once germinated and grow into seedling, then transplanted outdoors into permanent location

Overcoming Seed Dormancy

Overcoming Seed Dormancy 

Seed coat 

Often needs to be scarified, broken or softened

Overcoming Seed Dormancy 

Seed coat 



Often needs to be scarified, broken or softened

Embryo 

May need certain temperature exposure called stratification

Row vs. Broadcasting Seeds

Row vs. Broadcasting Seeds 

Row planting  



Requires more space Allows for easier transplanting & reduces chances for disease

Broadcasting 

Evenly distributed over surface of media or soil

Moisture, Temperature, Light

Moisture, Temperature, Light 

Moisture- proper moisture necessary 

Mist after planting and when media dries

Moisture, Temperature, Light 

Moisture- proper moisture necessary 



Mist after planting and when media dries

Temperature- most seeds germinate best at temperature of 70 to 80 F

Moisture, Temperature, Light 

Moisture- proper moisture necessary 



Mist after planting and when media dries

Temperature- most seeds germinate best at temperature of 70 to 80 F

Moisture, Temperature, Light 

Moisture- proper moisture necessary 

Mist after planting and when media dries



Temperature- most seeds germinate best at temperature of 70 to 80 F



Light- needed by some plants, move seedlings to direct sunlight

What is damping off?

What is damping off? 

Rotting of stems at soil line due to fungal disease



To prevent   

Avoid warm, wet media Use sterile soil and containers Use a fungicide drench when transplanting

Transplanting seedlings

Transplanting seedlings 

Handle carefully to avoid injury of the stem, leaves, or roots

Transplanting seedlings 

Handle carefully to avoid injury of the stem, leaves, or roots



Need to be hardened-off 

Exposure to cooler temperatures and less frequent watering to prepare for transplant shock

What are stem cuttings?



Stem cuttings- a portion of the stem that contains a terminal bud or lateral buds is cut and placed in growing media to produce roots

What are various methods of stem cutting propagation?

What are various methods of stem cutting propagation? 

Softwood cuttings   



from soft, succulent growth 3-5” in length with 2 or 3 nodes Cut at angle @ ¼” below a node

Herbaceous cuttings  

also considered softwood cuttings 3-4 inches long and contain several leaves

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Semi-hard cuttings 

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From woody, broad-leaved plants, new shoots

Hardwood cuttings 

From one-year-old growth, deciduous or evergreens

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Semi-hard cuttings 

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Hardwood cuttings 

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From woody, broad-leaved plants, new shoots From one-year-old growth, deciduous or evergreens

Conifer cuttings  

Also considered hardwood cuttings Taken from narrow leaf evergreens in early winter and may require several months to produce adequate roots

Leaf cuttings

 

From plant consists of a leaf blade or leaf blade with petiole attached

Leaf-bud cuttings

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From plant consists of a leaf, petiole, and a short piece of stem with the lateral bud

Root cuttings

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From root pieces of young plants during late winter or early spring

What are the various types of growing media used for cuttings?

What are the various types of growing media used for cuttings? 

Peat moss and perlite mixture 



Good moisture retention and yet provides good aeration

Vermiculite 

Good moisture retention

What are the various types of growing media used for cuttings? 

Peat moss and perlite mixture 



Vermiculite 



Good moisture retention

Sand 



Good moisture retention and yet provides good aeration

Good aeration

Sand and peat moss mixture 

Good mix of moisture retention and aeration

What are three common methods of grafting?

What are three common methods of grafting? 

Utilizes scion and understock (rootstock)

What are three common methods of grafting? 

Utilizes scion and understock (rootstock) 

Scion- short piece of stem with two or more buds

What are three common methods of grafting? 

Utilizes scion and understock (rootstock) 



Scion- short piece of stem with two or more buds Understock (rootstock)- lower portion of the graft containing the root system

Grafting 

Process of connecting two plants or plant parts together in such a way that they will unite and continue to grow as one plant

Grafting Methods

Grafting Methods 

Whip and tongue 

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Cleft  

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Joins small scion and rootstock together, usually under an inch in diameter Used for fruit trees in the winter Joins small scion to larger rootstock Usually done in winter

Bark  

Similar to cleft grafts Done in early spring when bark easily separates from wood

Budding

Budding 

Similar to grafting except that scion wood is reduced to a single bud



Methods 

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T-Budding- taking buds from one plant and inserting them under bark of rootstock Patch budding- bud is “patched” onto stem when bark is thick

Layering 

Method of asexual propagation where roots are formed on a stem while it is still attached to the parent plant

Types of Layering 

Simple layering- branches are bent to the ground and portions of branches are covered with soil  

Terminal ends are left exposed Covered portion must have a bud or buds and must be injured- roots form in this area

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Trench layering- dig a shallow trench near the plant and place a stem attached to the plant in the trench. Cover it with 2-5 inches of soil. After a few weeks, roots develop and may be removed from parent

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Mound layering- parent plant is pruned to within 2-4 inches of ground during its dormant season. In spring, new shoots are cut back to 2-4 inches. In summer, soil is mounded over half of new shoots. They will form roots in the mound of soil and may be separated from parent plant.



Air layering- remove a portion of the bark on the stem and cover with moistened sphagnum moss. Then cover with plastic to prevent drying out; roots should form in this area

What is the difference between separation and division in plant propagation?

What is the difference between separation and division in plant propagation? 

Separation 

Method in which natural structures are removed from parent plant and planted to grow

What is the difference between separation and division in plant propagation? 

Separation 



Method in which natural structures are removed from parent plant and planted to grow

Division 

Method in which parts of plants are cut into sections that will grow into new plants naturally

What is the difference between separation and division in plant propagation? 

Separation 



Division 



Method in which natural structures are removed from parent plant and planted to grow

Method in which parts of plants are cut into sections that will grow into new plants naturally

Plant structures that can be separated or divided 

Bulbs, corms, rhizomes and tubers, plant crowns

Why is tissue culture important?

Why is tissue culture important? 

Micropropagation

Why is tissue culture important? 

Micropropagation 

Also known as tissue culture

Why is tissue culture important? 

Micropropagation  

Also known as tissue culture Involves taking a small piece of tissue or a group of cells from the parent plant and growing it on a nutrient-rich agar gel in a sterile environment to produce hundreds of new plants in a short amount of time