Colorado AgriScience Plant Science

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

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

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

4. Vegetative Parts of a Plant

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

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

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

8. Cane Cuttings

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

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

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

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

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

14. Leaf Section Cuttings

15. Leaf Section Cuttings • 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 • Done so you can tell the top from the bottom • Sections are then placed in media • New plants will form where the vein is in contact with the media

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

17. Split-Vein Cuttings

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

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