NURSERY PLANT PROPAGATION Nursery Propagation Practices Why use

NURSERY PLANT PROPAGATION

Nursery Propagation Practices Why use propagation? � More control of production & growth � Improved disease resistance � Sometimes, it’s fun to put multiple varieties on one plant

Nursery Propagation Practices Selecting Cutting Stock � Propagation Manager looks for woody stems that “snap” Not too woody, not too soft

Nursery Propagation Practices Cuttings are either taken by hand or with a mower on a boom

Nursery Propagation Practices Cuttings are sanitized in Physan before being stuck � Sometimes cuttings are purchased & stored in cooler until ready

Nursery Propagation Practices Cuttings are trimmed and ends are dipped in rooting hormone Cuttings are then “stuck” into rooting flats

Nursery Propagation Practices Some cuttings are stuck in soil, but most are stuck into Perlite or pumice

Nursery Propagation Practices Once cuttings develop roots, they are “upshifted” into the next size container

Nursery Propagation Practices Trees, like maples are grafted onto rootstock

Nursery Propagation Practices However, it is often cheaper to graft trees in the field � This unique machine reduces fatigue for grafters

Nursery Propagation Practices Grafters cut a bud off of the bud wood Then they cut a notch in the rootstock

Nursery Propagation Practices Grafters then tape the bud chip onto the rootstock

Nursery Propagation Practices Eventually, the new bud will graft onto the rootstock and establish itself as a new tree

Nursery Propagation Practices Whip and Tongue Graft � Used to add weeping species (Willow, Cherry) to rootstock

Nursery Propagation Practices These are just a few of the various types of propagation practices used in the Willamette Valley