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

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

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

Vegetative Parts of a Plant

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

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

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

Cane Cuttings

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

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

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

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

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

Leaf Section Cuttings

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

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

Split-Vein Cuttings

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

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