Vegetative Propagation of Horticulture Plants

Introduction
Vegetative propagation also called
as asexual propagation is another
method of plant propagation used
widely in horticultural crops.
Vegetative propagation Cuttings
uses several of the plant Runners
Storage organs
parts for reproducing the
plant asexually. Layering
Grafting
Micropropagation
Vegetative Propagation of Horticulture Plants

Introduction
Vegetative propagation is used
to get the similar genetic
background of mother plants.
Good skill, knowledge
and experience aids in
vegetative propagation
of plants in large scale. Vegetative propagation is
widely used in horticultural
crops’ nurseries.
Vegetative Propagation of Horticulture Plants

Introduction  Mass production of plants

using plant parts of mother
The advantages of parent.
vegetative propagation
 No seed is required to multiply
are:
varieties having desired
quantitative and qualitative
traits
 Useful technique in production
of plants which are difficult to
propagate using seed.
Vegetative Propagation of Horticulture Plants

Propagation using Cuttings

One of the easiest way of plant
propagation is by using
cuttings from various parts of Stem cuttings
the plants such as:
Root cuttings
Leaf cuttings
Vegetative Propagation of Horticulture Plants

Propagation using Cuttings Stem cuttings

Cuttings should generally
Avoid material with consist of the current or
flower buds if past season’s growth.
possible. Remove any flowers and flower
buds when preparing cuttings so
the cutting’s energy can be used in
producing new roots rather than
flowers.
Vegetative Propagation of Horticulture Plants

Propagation using Cuttings Stem cuttings

Take cuttings from
healthy, disease-free
plants, preferably from Avoid taking cuttings from
the upper part of the plants that show symptoms of
plant. mineral nutrient deficiency.
Conversely, plants that have been
fertilized heavily, particularly with
nitrogen, may not root well.
Vegetative Propagation of Horticulture Plants

Propagation using Cuttings Stem cuttings

The stock plant The fertility status of the

should not be under stock (parent) plant can
moisture stress. influence rooting.

In general, cuttings taken from young plants

root in higher percentages than cuttings
taken from older, more mature plants.
Vegetative Propagation of Horticulture Plants

Propagation using Cuttings Stem cuttings

Early morning is the best
time to take cuttings,
because the plant is fully While terminal parts of the
turgid. stem are best, a long shoot
can be divided into several
cuttings.
Cuttings are generally
4 to 6 inches long.
Vegetative Propagation of Horticulture Plants

Propagation using Cuttings Stem cuttings

Use a sharp, thin-bladed pocket
If necessary, dip the cutting knife or sharp pruning shears.
tool in rubbing alcohol or a
mixture of 1 part bleach to 9
parts water to prevent
transmitting diseases from
infected plant parts to healthy
ones.
Vegetative Propagation of Horticulture Plants

Propagation using Cuttings

Stem cuttings
Remove the leaves from the lower
one-third to one-half of the cutting
(Fig.)

On large-leafed plants, the

remaining leaves may be cut in
half to reduce water loss and
conserve space.
Vegetative Propagation of Horticulture Plants

Propagation using Cuttings

Types of Stem cuttings

Softwood cuttings are prepared from soft,

succulent, new growth of woody plants, just as it
begins to harden (mature).
Shoots are suitable for making softwood
cuttings when they can be snapped easily
when bent and when they still have a
gradation of leaf size (oldest leaves are
mature while newest leaves are still small).
Vegetative Propagation of Horticulture Plants

Propagation using Cuttings

Types of Stem cuttings

Semi-hardwood cuttings are usually prepared from

partially mature wood of the current season’s growth, just
after a flush of growth.
The wood is reasonably firm and the
leaves of mature size.
Many broadleaf evergreen shrubs
and some conifers are propagated
by this method.
Vegetative Propagation of Horticulture Plants

Propagation using Cuttings

Types of Stem cuttings

Hardwood cuttings are taken from

dormant, mature stems.
The wood is firm and does not
bend easily.
Hardwood cuttings are used most often for
deciduous shrubs but can be used for many
evergreens.
Vegetative Propagation of Horticulture Plants

Propagation using Cuttings

Root cuttings

Taking root cuttings is one of the

most reliable and economical ways
to produce many perennial and
woody plants.
Take a close look at the roots that you
want to take cuttings from and make sure
they're healthy, living roots, not dead
ones that look black or dried out.
Vegetative Propagation of Horticulture Plants

Propagation using Cuttings

Root cuttings

Look for large fleshy roots, the

thicker the better. Choose roots
that are pencil thick.

Take 2 to 6 inch (2 to 15 cm)

cuttings and then cut into 2 to 3
inch (6 to 7.5 cm) sections.
Vegetative Propagation of Horticulture Plants

Propagation using Cuttings

Root cuttings

The best way to keep track of "up" and

"down" is to make a flat cut on top or "up"
side, and a slanted cut on "down" or
bottom side.

Water the plants to settle the roots

back into the soil properly.
Vegetative Propagation of Horticulture Plants

Propagation using Cuttings

Leaf cuttings

Whole leaf cuttings are prepared from leaves

with or without their stalks (called petioles).
Roots and leaves will eventually form at the
base of the leaf (Fig.).
Leaf section cuttings can be
used for propagating plants.
The leaves are cut into pieces, with the edge of the
cuttings closest to the base of the parent plant
inserted into the rooting medium . (welcome plants)
Vegetative Propagation of Horticulture Plants

Propagation using Cuttings

Leaf cuttings

Leaf bud cuttings consist of a single leaf

attached to a piece of 1 to 1 1/2 inch
stem.
The dormant bud, located where the leaf
stalk joins the stem will give rise to a new
shoot and branches (Fig.).
The cutting should be inserted in the rooting
medium with the bud about 1/2 inch below the
surface.
Rooting from Cuttings

– Rooting media should be about 4 inches deep.

– Best time of day to take cuttings is early morning
because plants have more moisture.
Rooting from Cuttings

– The three main types

of cuttings are….
– Stem
– Leaf
– Root
Stem Cuttings

– Start with sterile flats, soil, and tools.

– Must include a node. A node is a point along a
plant stem where leaves or other stems are
attached.
– Internode is the area between two nodes.
– Cutting is taking a 4-6 inch piece of the plant and
forcing roots to grow.
Stem Cuttings

– Use a rooting hormone

with fungicide to….
– Speed up root
development.
– Prevent root rot.
Stem Cuttings

– Herbaceous plants are soft-tissue plants.

Stem Cuttings

– Woody plants are plants that produce

woody tissue.
Examples of plants that can be started
by stem cuttings:

– Herbaceous cuttings – geranium, impatiens,

begonia, and coleus
Examples of plants that can be started
by stem cuttings:

– Woody cuttings – holly, abelia, and

rosemary.
 Leaf Cuttings

– The use of leaves and

sections of leaves to
reproduce plants.
Leaf Cuttings

– Usually done from herbaceous plants.

– Midrib vein must be cut in order to make
roots form.
 Leaf Cuttings
– Examples of plants that can be started by
leaf cuttings.
– African violet and philodendron
– snake plant and jade plant.
Root Cuttings

– The use of roots to reproduce plants.

– Should be spaced 3 inches apart in the rooting area.
Root Cuttings

– Examples of plants that can be started by

root cuttings: hosta and daylily.
 Layering

– The rooting of plant parts while they are still

attached to the “parent” plant.
– The types are….
– Air Layering.
– Trench Layering.
– Mound Layering.
Air Layering

– Also called Chinese

propagation.
– Area of plant is girdled
and surrounded by a
moist growing medium
that is sealed in
polyethylene film.
 Air Layering Steps:

1. Making an incision at the node of a branch.

2. Dust with rooting hormone, place sphagnum
moss in plastic and wrap around the incision
forcing roots to grow on the stem of the plant.
3. Once roots form, remove below the new roots for
a new plant.
The stem is
girdled to
induce root
formation above
the cut
The girdled stem
is covered with
moss
Aluminum foil or plastic
sheeting is wrapped
around the moss and
tied at both ends. This
cover is removed 2 to 3
months after tying or
when the roots can be
seen.
 Air Layering

– Examples of
plants to air
layer: Decora
rubber plant
and weeping
fig.
 Trench layering

– New plants form at each point

along the stem while still
attached to the plant.
– Is cutting a trench and laying a
branch in the trench.
– Types of trench layering are
simple, tip and serpentine.
 Trench layering

Simple Layering

Tip Layering

Serpentine Layering
 Trench Layering

– Examples of plants for trench layering: grapes and

clematis.
Mound Layering

– Rooted plant is cut off at

the soil level.
– As the season
progresses, soil is added
to cover the growing
shoots.
– After 1 year, the shoots
are rooted and removed
from the parent plant.
 Mound Layering

– An example would be an azalea

 Division & Separation
– Cutting or pulling apart of….
– Bulbs
– Corms
– Rhizomes
– Tubers
– Runners
– Stolons
– Suckers
 Division

– Division is used on plants that grow in clumps.

– Examples of plants that can be divided are hostas,
daylilies and irises.
– Also used on some grasses.
Division
 Bulbs

– Bulbs are short stems

with fleshy leaves or
leaf bases that function
as food storage
organs during dormancy
– Daffodil and hyacinth.
 Corm
– Corm is an enlarged, bulb-like, fleshy structure found
at the base of a stem. Usually flattened and round.
– Examples: gladiolus and crocus.
 Rhizome
– Rhizome is a creeping underground stem, usually
horizontal, that produces roots and leaves at the
nodes.
– Examples: cannas and bearded Iris.
 Stolon

– A creeping above ground stem that grows horizontally

and produces roots and shoots at the nodes.
– Example: strawberry.
 Tuber

– Tuber is a swollen, modified stem that grows

underground.
– Example: potato.
Sucker

Sucker is a
shoot or stem
that originates
from the
roots.
Removing the bud Bud is inserted Wound is
from the scion into the wrapped
wood. rootstock. for healing
1.
3.
5.

2. 4.
Grafting

– Examples of plants that can be grafted: Maples and fruit trees, sweetgum
(fruitless sweetgum), and pecan.
 Budding

– A form of grafting when a bud is used (instead of a scion).

– Faster or quicker than grafting.
– The 3 main methods are….
– Patch budding.
– T-budding.
– Chip budding.
 Budding

– Successful budding requires that the scion (top) material

have fully-formed, mature, dormant buds and that the
rootstock be in a condition of active growth such that the
"bark is slipping". This means that the vascular cambium
is actively growing, and the bark can be peeled easily from
the stock piece with little damage.
Tissue Culture (or Micropropagation)

– This is the newest form

of Asexual propagation
 Tissue Culture (Micropropagation)

– A sterile environment is necessary for

micropropagation (biotechnology)
– It is a good way to get the most plants in a short
period of time
– It will give you a plant identical to the parent plant
(clone)
– An example would be impatiens and many flowers
and vegetable plants
 Asexual Propagation Terms

– 1. Corm - Enlarged, bulb-like, fleshy base of a stem.

Usually flattened and round. Ex: gladiolus and crocus

– 2. Rhizome - a creeping underground stem, usually

horizontal, that produces roots and leaves at the
nodes. Ex: cannas and bearded Iris
 Asexual Propagation Notes:

3. Stolon (or Runner) – a creeping above ground stem that

grows horizontally and produces roots and shoots at the
nodes. Ex: strawberry

4. Tuber – a swollen, modified stem that grows

underground. Ex: potato

5. Sucker - a shoot or stem that originates from the roots.

Asexual Propagation Methods in Review

– Cuttings
– Layering
– Division
– Separation
– Grafting
– Budding
– Tissue Culture
 Advantages of Asexual Propagation

– Asexual reproduction or propagation-plants mature in shorter

time.
– Budding is faster or quicker than grafting.
– In trench layering, plants form at each node on covered stems.
– Some plants do not produce viable seeds.
– New plants are same as parent plant.
 Disadvantages of Asexual Propagation

– Some require special equipment and skills, such as grafting.

– Cuttings detach plant parts from water and nutrient source.
– Some plants are patented making propagation illegal.
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