FS 115January 196,77

Plant Propagation by Leaf and Leaf-Bud Cuttings

Plant propagation by vegetative means (not byseeds) involves a portion of plant stem, root, or leaf,placing this plant part under special environmental con-ditions, and inducing it to generate roots, buds, andshoots which are identical to the parent plant. This isnot a particularly difficult operation, but environmentalconditions such as humidity, water supply, ventilation,light, and temperature must be carefully controlled forpropagation to be successful.

Types of Cuttings

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Leaf-blade cutting

By RAY A. MCNEILAN, Multnomah County Extension Agent, and HARRY B. LAGERSTEDT,Assistant Professor of Horticulture, Oregon State University, Corvallis

Leaf-bud cutting

Leaf-petiole cutting

Leaf section

There are relatively few plants which can be re-produced by using a leaf or the portions of a leaf toproduce a new plant. The reason for this is that leafcuttings must regenerate both new root and bud tissues.Not many plants have this capacity. Most of the plantspropagated by leaf- cuttings are house plants with thick,fleshy leaves. Depending on the plant to be propagated,the leaf cutting may involve the leaf blade only, or aleaf with petiole, or merely portions of a leaf.

Leaf-bud cuttings are unlike leaf cuttings in thatThey contain a portion of stem tissue and most impor-tantly, a bud. The bud, located at the junction of theleaf petiole and the stem, is a pre-formed growing point.This type of cutting has only to initiate root tissue, andtherefore may be used with plants that are unable toregenerate both new roots and buds. In effect, leaf-budcuttings are merely short-stem cuttings and can be usedto propagate a wide variety of plants.

Plant material selected for leaf cuttings should behealthy, actively growing and free of insect or diseaseproblems. Large, mature leaves provide the best sourceof propagation material.

The environmental requirements for the develop-ment of roots are listed below.

Sterile media should be used. Sterile coarse sandmakes an excellent media for leaf propagation. Themedia should have good moisture holding capacity aswell as being well drained and aerated.

Temperatures between 60° F and 70° F are best.Warmer temperatures directed to the bottom of the cut-ting will hasten root formation. This is termed "bottomheat" and is normally supplied through the use of heat-ing cables.

Humidity should be kept high. This is usuallydone by covering the rooting bed or container with apolyethylene film or pane of glass.

All but shade-loving plants should be rooted infull sunlight, or be supplied artificial light. During sum-mer the cuttings should be shaded from direct sunlightto prevent overheating and wilting.

Moisture must be supplied frequently to increasethe relative humidity and to prevent the cutting fromwilting.

Rooting hormones are commonly used with leaf-budcuttings to speed and insure the rooting process. Treatonly the stem portion. Take care to avoid treating thebud as its growth may be inhibited by treatment. Root-ing hormones are used sparingly or not at all with leafcuttings. While rooting may 'be aided, the same hor-mone, especially in high concentration, may inhibit budinitiation. These rooting hormones are available fromseed and plant stores and have label directions fortheir use.

For rooting a large number of cuttings, a propa-gating bed or bench, hotbed, or heated enclosed areacan be used. For the home gardener who has only a fewcuttings to root, a covered double flower pot or coveredunused aquarium will suffice. By using polyethyleneplastic, a small propagating structure can be made byplacing a wire or stick frame over a wooden flat and

This is one of a series- of Fact Sheets reporting Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics,Gene M. Lear, director. Printed and distributed in furtherance of Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30,1914. Oregon State University, Oregon counties, and U. S. Department of Agriculture cooperating.

Leaf bud Leaf petiole Leaf blade sectionRubber plant African violet KalanchoeGeranium Peperomia BryophyllumPhilodendron Gloxinia Begonia (Rex)Peperomia Jade plant Jade plant

Sanseviera

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covering this with a sheet of polyethylene. The samecan be done with a small clay pot to handle only a fewcuttings.

ProcedureLeaf-bud cuttingCarefully remove a leaf with its

petiole and a section of the stem containing the bud atthe base of the petiole from the parent plant. Treat thebase of the stem section lightly with rooting hormone,place in moist media and cover with plastic or glass toprevent excessive transpiration.

Leaf-petiole cuttingRemove a mature, healthy leafwith its attached petiole from the parent plant. Place theentire petiole in moist media. Rooting hormone may beused sparingly, if desired. However, most leaf-petiolecuttings will root quite rapidly without hormone treat-ment.

Leaf-blade cuttingThis type of cutting may bepropagated in several ways depending upon the type ofleaf used : (1.) With Rex Begonia and similar types, layentire leaf flat on moist media. Peg down for intimatecontact between the leaf surface and media. Rooting willonly occur where the main veins are in contact withmoisture. Make cuts across several of the main veinsand the new plantlets will arise at these cuts. (2.) In thecase of smaller-leaved plants such as the Jade plant or

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Kalanchoe, the leaves should just be placed on the sur-face of the media without cutting across the veins. Root-ing and budding will occur from the base of the leafvein, if kept moist. (3.) With Sansevieria, cut the leafinto two inch sections and place in moist media at adepth of one inch.

Once the cuttings are made, they must not be al-lowed to wilt. Without moisture there can be no plantlife. This is a basic principle in plant culture and shouldbe strictly adhered to in propagating new plants, sincethe cuttings lack a root system to take in moisture. Thepropagating media should retain moisture, yet be welldrained and well aerated. Cuttings may wilt from lackof moisture, excessive heat, rapid air movement, lackof shade during sunny periods, or from rot because therooting medium was too wet.

During the rooting period, maintain a moist mediaby frequent light sprinkling with a fine sprinkler head.Maintain a high relative humidity by keeping the root-ing area covered. When the cuttings become rooted,the humidity can be lowered to allow the plants toharden-off before being potted.

After adequate roots have been developed, the newplants can be carefully transferred to small pots forfurther growth. From this point, these plants can becared for in the same fashion as are the parent plants.

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Covered double-pot propagation Propagating bench Covered aquarium propagator

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