Name of the Experiment: Propagation Practice of Ixora by Stem Cutting Cuttings Cuttings are the detached vegetative parts from the mother plant which are placed under certain favorable environmental conditions and induced to form roots and shoots thus producing a new independent plant which is identical with the mother plant. Types of cuttings Cuttings are made from the vegetative portions of the plant, such as stems, modified stems, leaves and roots. It can be classified according to the plant parts used: a) Stem cuttings: e.g. Rose, Ixora, China box, Croton, Duranta etc. b) Leaf cuttings: e.g. Air plant, Begonia, Peperomia, Echeveria, Sansivieria, African violet etc. c) Leaf bud cuttings: e.g. Hydrangea, Rhododendron, Camellia etc. d) Root cuttings: e.g. Dahlia, Phlox etc. Advantages of cuttings 1. The propagated plants by cutting are true to type 2. Many new plants can be grown in a limited space from a few stock plants 3. It is less expensive, rapid, simple method and does not require the special technique like grafting or budding 4. There is no problem of incompatibility like budding and grafting 5. Superior uniformity is obtained Limitations 1. It is possible only for few plants 2. Disease may occur on the cut surface 3. New variety may not produce through this method Compiled by: Md. Dulal Sarkar Assist. Prof., Department of Horticulture Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Stem cuttings Stem cutting is the asexual method of propagation in which stem pieces induced to rooting and shooting in a proper medium. It is the most commonly used method to propagate many woody ornamental plants. Stem cuttings can be classified as- a) Hard wood cuttings They are taken before the plants produce a flush of spring growth and when tissues are fully matured and lignified through their entire length. Cuttings do not have leaves but contains at least 3 nodes. e.g. Rose, Ixora, Honeysuckle etc. Page 1 of 5
b) Semi hard wood cuttings Semi hard wood cuttings are made from the spring growth of shrubs but they are more mature than softwood. The cuttings should have some leaves on the top parts. e.g. China box, Azalea, Rhododendron etc. c) Soft wood cuttings They are taken from woody shrubs or deciduous trees when growth is still relatively soft and succulent before tissues have matured and become woody. The parent source should be actively growing and have leaves. e.g. Croton, Lilac etc. d) Herbaceous cuttings Herbaceous cuttings are also considered softwood cuttings. Numerous potted succulent greenhouse plants are propagated by herbaceous cuttings. e.g. Dahlia, Geranium, Carnation, Chrysanthemum, Spider plant etc. Selection of cutting materials In selection of cutting materials following points should be considered- 1. Mother plants should be uniform and true to type 2. It should be selected from vigorous plants growing in full sunlight 3. The stock plants should be free from disease, insects and other pest 4. Cuttings are commonly made from young trees about one year old plant 5. Stock plants should be fully dormant and wood is firm and does not bend easily Time of cuttings Most species have distinct periods during the year when rooting is best. The period varies with species and area. The best time appears to be about a month before leaf flushing. Under Bangladesh condition, May-July is the best time for cutting. Rooting media Rooting media should be sterile and very loose to enable the rooted cuttings to be readily removed from the rooting medium and planted with little loss of roots. The ideal rooting medium is porous, drains easily and retains moisture. It can make by using the combination of, soil: sand: compost- 2:1:1 ratio. Rooting hormones The growth hormone which is responsible for the rooting of cuttings is called auxin. Indoleacetic acid (IAA) is produced primarily in the meristems and transported to the lower parts of the plant. Two most common synthetic auxins, indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid acid (NAA) are commonly used to stimulate root Page 2 of 5
initiation, to increase the number and quality of roots produced per cutting, and to increase uniformity of rooting. Materials required 1. Bleach solution 2. Clean knife 3. Cold water 4. Gloves 5. Mother plant 6. Plastic bag 7. Plastic bowls 8. Pots 9. Rooting hormone 10. Rooting media 11. Secateur 12. Spade 13. Wax Procedure 1. Preparation of the cuttings 1. The cutting materials should preserve in a container filled with water until the propagation process can be started. 2. Cut the stem about 15-30 cm in length and 1.5-2.50 cm of diameter having at least three nodes. 3. Remove all of the leaves and flower buds using secateur. 4. A slanting cut should be made at proximal end just below the basal node with a sharp knife. This process exposes a wide area of cambium layer, which facilitate maximum rooting. 5. A vertical cut should be made at the distal end about 1-1.50 cm above from the node. 6. If necessary, dip the cuttings in a solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water for about 10 seconds to prevent transmitting diseases. 7. Rinse them thoroughly in cold water 8. The upper end of the cutting should dip in a wax pot to coat the upper surface, which protect from water loss and insect infection. 9. Then dip the basal 0.5-1 cm of the cutting in rooting hormone before placing into rooting media. Page 3 of 5
2. Placement of the cuttings into rooting media 1. Holes should be made in a slanting position into the medium by using a skewer to allow for the inserting of the cuttings without damaging the cambium or removing the rooting hormones. 2. The cutting should be placed carefully in the hole in a slanting position making an angle of 45 with the ground level and maintaining the vertical orientation of the stem. 3. The proximal end insert at a depth of 2/3 rd of total length of cutting remaining 1/3 rd above the ground. At least one or two node should insert into the rooting media and one node remaining above the media. 4. Firm the medium around the cutting. 5. In planting the distance between two cuttings 15-25 cm should maintain. After care of the cuttings 1. Water is necessary just after planting and spray the cuttings daily 2. Cut ends should be sharp without scratch 3. Weeding must be done properly and time to time 4. They need protection from direct sunlight, wind, and rain 5. They need to be protected from sudden and drastic temperature changes. 6. They need air circulation, so be sure that structure is not completely enclosed 7. Rooting media should be kept moist but not wet Precautions 1. Do not use beach sand as it will contain salt 2. The bud in the cutting should be well developed and not sprouting 3. Stem cutting should be performed in the morning 4. High humidity around the cutting should be maintained 5. Should not insert the cuttings upside down 6. Within 30-40 days the cutting should not be disturbed Page 4 of 5
Figure 1. Selected stem with leaves and flowers Figure 2. Stem about 15-30 cm long without leaves and flowers Figure 3. Prepared stem cutting for planting Figure 4. Placing of stem cutting into rooting media Page 5 of 5