Plant Propagation The reproduction of new plants from seeds

or vegetative parts of a plant.

Asexual Propagation The reproduction of new plants from the

stems, leaves, or roots of a parent plant. No seeds are used, just portions of the

parent plant which are placed in soil

Benefits of Asexual Propagation Produce plants faster Disease free stock Works when seeds are hard to germinate Plants produced are genetically identical to

the parent plant “Clones” Plants with or without reproductive parts

can be produced Less Expensive in some cases

Where Can Cuttings be Taken From? Roots Stems Leaves

Methods of Asexual Propagation Stem Cuttings Leaf Cuttings Leaf Bud Cuttings Root Cuttings

Stem Cuttings Softwood Cuttings Herbaceous Cuttings Semi-hardwood Cuttings Hardwood Cuttings Conifer Cuttings

Softwood Cuttings Taken from soft, new spring growth of

woody plants Root easy but require more attention Usually 3 to 5 inches in length 2 or 3 nodes Cut at 45 degree angles ¼ inch below a

node 1/3 of lower leaves are removed

Herbaceous Cuttings Also considered softwood cuttings Numerous succulent greenhouse plants 3 to 4 inches long Contain several leaves Root easily

Semi-hardwood Cuttings Woody, broad leaved plants Taken in the summer from new shoots 3 to 6 inches in length Handled the same as softwood cuttings

Hardwood Cuttings Prepared during the dormant season Deciduous or evergreen plants 6 to 8 inches in length Taken from year old wood Form callus tissue during the winter Develop roots in the spring

Conifer Cuttings Early winter Narrowleaf evergreens May take several months to produce roots

Leaf Cuttings Consist of a leaf blade or leaf blade with

petiole Used when plant material is scarce Used when a large number of new plants

are needed Houseplants or foliage plants

Leaf Cuttings Cont. Leaf blades can be cut into pieces and

inserted into medium Some leaves can be cut on the primary veins

and laid flat on top of the growing medium. Leaf and petiole cuttings are place petiole

down the the medium

Leaf Bud Cuttings Consist of a leaf, petiole, and a short piece

of stem with lateral bud. Must have well developed buds, and

healthy, actively growing leaves. Insert in medium with the lateral bud just

below the surface

Root Cuttings Made from root pieces of young plants During late winter or early spring Roots are dug, cleaned, and treated with

fungicide 2 to 6 inches in length Placed horizontally or vertically Quite laborious

Rooting Hormones Material that promote the development of

roots Applied to the bases of the cuttings Powders or Solutions Do not use too much, it may cause the stem

to rot

Root-Inducing Environment High humidity to reduce water loss Indirect sunlight Growing medium