Colorado Agri Science Plant Science Unit 4 Reproduction

Colorado Agri. Science Plant Science Unit 4: Reproduction & Genetics Lesson 4: Asexual Propagation I

Asexual Propagation l Use of vegetative parts of a plant to increase its number l Advantages l Economy l Time l Plants that are identical to the parent l Methods l Cuttings, culture layering, division, grafting, & tissue

Stem Cuttings l Tools l Sharp knife, single edge razor, & disinfectant l Remove all flowers & buds l Plant needs to utilize energy for root development l Apply Rooting Hormone l Use proper soil medium

Vegetative Parts of a Plant

Stem Tip Cuttings l Normally include the terminal bud l Stem 2 -4” is used l Cut made just below the node l Remove lower leaves l Apply rooting hormone l Insert in media deep enough to be self supporting l 1 node must be below the surface of the media for root growth to occur

Stem Section Cuttings l Use middle portion of stem behind the tip cuttings, 2 -4” sections are needed l Remove lower leaves l Cut just above a node on each end l Handle as a tip cutting l Position the cutting with the right end up l Axial buds are always on the tops of the leaves

Cane Cuttings l For plants with cane like stems l Stems cut into sections with 1 or 2 nodes l Dust ends with fungicide l Dry cane for 1 -2 hours l Place cane horizontally with half the cane below the surface of the media l The eyes or nodes should face upward

Cane Cuttings

Heel Cuttings l l Used on woody stemmed plants Shield shaped cut made ½ way through the wood around the leaf & axial bud Apply rooting hormone Insert into media

Single-Eye Cuttings l l Used on plants with alternating leaves Cut ½ “ above & below the node Apply rooting hormone Place vertically or horizontally

Double-Eye Cutting l l l Used on plants with opposite leaves Used when stock material is limited Select single node Cut ½” above & below the node Apply rooting hormone Place vertically

Leaf Cuttings l l Made from leaf with the petiole cut to less then ½” Make a clean cut Apply rooting hormone Place vertically in rooting media

Leaf Petiole Cuttings Used on a leaf with ½” – 1 ½” long petiole l Place vertically in media l Several plants will develop from the base of the petiole l

Leaf Section Cuttings

Leaf Section Cuttings l Leaves such as begonia are cut into wedges, each containing at least 1 vein l Make the cut in a wedge shape with the bottom being the point l Done so you can tell the top from the bottom l Sections are then placed in media l New plants will form where the vein is in contact with the media

Split-Vein Cuttings l Used with large leaf plants such as begonias l Remove leaf from stock plant l Slit veins on the bottom surface of the leaf l Place the leaf on rooting media with the slits down l A new plant will form at each of the slits

Split-Vein Cuttings

Root Cuttings l Use plants that are 2 -3 years old l Make cuttings when plant is dormant l They will have larger supplies of carbohydrates l Top cut is straight & bottom cut is slanted l Plants l Use section 4 -6 inches long l Plants l Use with large roots with small roots section 1 -2 inches long

Root Cuttings l Store cutting 2 -3 weeks in moist peat moss or sand at a temperature of 40 degrees l Large roots l Plant vertically with the slant cut down l Top should be flush with surface of media l Small roots l Place cutting horizontally ½” below media surface