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 t come true from seeds Some plants don t t produce viable seeds Take advantage of useful freaks of nature
Mutant Tissue
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 2-62 6 inches long
Herbaceous Cuttings Stem Cuttings remove bottom leaves roots will grow from the node where leaves were attached Use rooting hormone- ROOTONE speeds 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 Cuttings Leaf Cuttings African Violet Use leaf and petiole Rex Begonia Vivaparious leaf cutting Leaf Section cutting Snake plant
Herbaceous Cuttings Leaf-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 Cuttings Root 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 1-41 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 2-42 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 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 t crumble in hand. *Ideal and ready to transplant. Growth on the tips or sides is normal, but does not indicate root growth.