1. PLANTLETS

2. INTRODUCTION
A plantlet is a tiny version of a plant still attached somewhere to its parent plant
The plantlets obtain food from the parent plant until they are established

3. OBTAINING PLANTLETS Plantlets can be obtained by different methods:
1. production of plantlets from runners
2. production of leaf plantlets
3. production of plantlets from offsets

4. 1. PRODUCTION OF PLANTLETS FROM RUNNERS
Some types of plants produce plantlets at the end of ‘horizontal’ stems called runners.

5. Spider plant

6. METHOD OF OBTANING PLANTLETS FROM RUNNERS
The plantlet can be ‘pegged down’ into a small pot of compost using wire
When the roots are established, the runner is cut close to the new plant and the wire removed

7. PRODUCTION OF PLANTLETS FROM RUNNERS

8. 2. PRODUCTION OF LEAF PLANTLETS
Some types of plant develop plantlets on the edges of mature leaves
These can be detached from the leaf and grown in small pots of compost
An example of this is the Mexican Hat plant

9. Mexican Hat Plant

10. An example of this is the Piggy-Back plant
In other plants, a plantlet develops at the base of each mature leaf where it meets the leaf stalk.
An example of this is the Piggy-Back plant

11. Piggyback Plant

12. 3. PRODUCTION OF PLANTLETS FROM OFFSETS
An offset is a tiny plantlet that develops as a side shoot at the base of the parent plant
Sometimes different offsets are produced and these then form a clump at the base of the parent plant
An example of this is the Mother-in-law’s Tongue plant

13. Mother-In-Law’s Tongue Plant

14. METHODS OF PROPAGATING OFFSETS
A plant with offsets can be propagated by division
This means separating the offsets from the parent, normally using a sharp knife
The offsets can then be planted in new locations

15. Offsets of Mother-In-Law’s Tongue

16. Advantages of Vegetative Propagation
Exact copies of parent plants can be produced in most cases
Often simple and relatively quick
Large plants can sometimes be produced in a short period of time
Good quality and uniformity among plants produced

17. Disadvantages of Vegetative Propagation
All offspring share common susceptibility to disease
Not suitable if variation is desired