Plant propagation is both sexual and asexual

PLANT PROPAGATION

Propagation of plants can basically be categorized into two groups, asexually propagation and sexually propagation. This is not a complete listing of all ways to propagate the plants that you may be looking for in house plants and outdoor plants but it is the result of my research on the web that you will see.

SEXUAL PROPAGATION OF PLANTS

Two examples of fruits that have been asexually propagated for decades are the Bartlett pear and Delicious apple. Below are short explanations of each type. Asexual propagation methods include, but not limited to, cuttings, layering, division, grafting, budding and tissue culture.

ROOT CUTTINGS

Obtain cuttings from the newer root growth. Make these cuttings 1 to 4 inches long from roots that are approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch in diameter.

Cuttings should be taken during the off or dormant season when roots have built up large carbohydrate supplies. But, they also may be taken throughout the growing season.

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PLANT PROPAGATION .

CUTTINGS

Cuttings means to remove a piece from the parent plant and then that piece regrows the lost parts or tissues.

LEAF CUTTINGS

A leaf blade is used to propagate new plants.

Pick a healthy leaf from a growing plant. Cut it close to the stem with a sharp, disinfested knife.

Cutback 1/4 of the leaf and dip into a rooting hormone.

Insert the leaf into a rooting medium so that 1/3 of the leaf is below the surface.

One of plants form at the base of the leaf. When using leaf cuttings, the original leaf is not a part of the new plant. Succulent plants, such as sedum, jade, and peperomia, can be propagated by leaf cutting.

DIVISIONS

Division is the separation of a crown or clump of suckers into segments. Each segment should have a bud and some roots. These segments are replanted and grow into plants ithe same as the parent.

STEM CUTTINGS

Stem cuttings method is the most commonly used to produce houseplants.

Select vigorous, new growth that have no flower buds.

A stem section should be free of disease and insects.

Each stem cutting should be 2-4 inches long and have 2-3 leaves attached.

SOFTWOOD AND HARDWOOD CUTTINGS

Softwood cuttings are the non-woody first year branches. Flowering shrubs are usually propagated by softwood cuttings.

Once the tissue becomes woody and the plant is dormant trhen hardwood cuttings can be taken. Cuttings can be taken from late fall after a killing frost until late winter.

LAYERING

Roots will develop on shoots that are still attached to the parent plant. This stem is then cut from the main plant after it has rooted. Layering is a good propagation choice when just a few plants are needed.

BULBS AND CORMS

By removing small bulblets or offsets that form at the base of the parent bulb. Usually these small bulbs take 2-3 years to develop into plants that flower.

TUBERS AND RHIZOMES

These plants can be dug up and the tubers separated. In separating the tubers, each must have a segment of the crown that contains at least one eye or bud like on a potato.

Rhizomes grow and develop buds. The rhizomes can be cut into sections that each contain at least one eye or bud.

GRAFTING

Grafting means to join different segments of two different plants of the same species. A branch or bud is joined to an understock. In grafting, the layers of the two different segments are aligned and grow together. Some plants will graft naturally on their own.

Natural grafting occurs when two branches come in close contact over several years. Ivy is an example.

BUD GRAFTING

Bud grafting is faster, easier and with less mess than other forms of grafting. Layers do not need to be aligned.

MICROPROPAGATION OR TISSUE CULTURE

Each plant cell has the potential to grow into a new plant exactly like the parent.

VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION

The ability of plants to reproduce without sexual reproduction, by producing new plants from existing vegetative structures. Some plants send out long underground stems that produce new plants. This will define vegetative propagation

SEXUAL PROPAGATION OF PLANTS

Sexual propagation of plants means the exchange of genetic material between parents to produce a new generation. Sexual propagation gives these advantages:

It is usually the only method of producing new varieties or cultivars.

It is usually the cheapest, quickest and easiest method of producing large numbers of plants.

It can help avoid certain diseases.

It may be the only way to propagate some species.

SPORES

Ferns can be propagated from spores which develop in clusters on the underside of fronds (divided leaf of fern).

PROPAGATION BY SEED

Seed propagation is the most common method of producing new plants. Annual and biennial vegetables and flowers are usually grown from seed. Perennials grown from seed may take more than one season to flower.

PURCHASING SEED--Use seed that is guaranteed for freshness and purity. Also purchase seed that is packaged for the this current year. If handled correctly, seeds can be held over to the following seasons.

COLLECTING SEED--Seed saved by the home gardener will probably be the result of random pollination by insects or other natural mechanisms. Random pollination results in seeds that produce plants that may not be identical to the parent plant. The seeds of hybrid plants should not be saved.

HARVESTING SEED--Save seed from healthy plants only, because some diseases can be carried in the seeds.

STORING SEED--When seeds are completely dry, place them in airtight containers marked with their name and the date saved. Store seeds at 40 degrees F with low humidity. The refrigerator usually provides these conditions.

GERMINATION OF SEED--A germinating seed is made up of an outer protective coat, a food supply under the seed coat and an embryo of a young plant.

SCARIFICATION OF SEED--The coat of certain seed is tough and must be entered by special means.

STRATIFICATION OF SEED--Some seeds will not come out of their dormancy unless exposed to a period of low temperature and moist conditions.

SOWING SEEDS INDOORS--Sowing seed indoors is the easiest, quickest and cheapest way of producing vegetables, annual flowers and some perennial plants.

GROWING MEDIA--Choose a growing media with a loose, uniform and fine texture. A mixture that is 1/3 soil, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 peat moss has the qualities of a good seed-starting media. Some commercial garden centers carry mixes labeled for seed starting. Be sure it is sterile.

CONTAINERS--Any containers is adequate for seed starting provided they are disinfested and have good drainage.

SOWING SEED--Timing of sowing the seed is an important part in successful indoor seed starting.

CARE OF SEEDLINGS STARTED INDOORS

TRANSPLANTING-Once the seeds have germinated, you will see two seed leaves. Shortly, these seed leaves will wither and the true leaves will form. The true leave look like the plant's regular leaves. Once the first set of true leaves appear transplant to individual containers .

WATERING SEEDLINGS INDOORS Keep soil moist but not wet.

SEEDLINGS TEMPERATURE INDOORS Keep seedlings in a well-aired, cool location. The temp should be 55 to 60 degrees F at night and 65 to 70 degrees F during the day. As these temperatures encourage compact, bushy and vigorous growth while keeping down the disease.

LIGHT REQUIREMENTS FOR INDOOR SEEDLINGS Seedlings require bright light immediately after germination.

FERTILIZING SEEDLINGS INDOORS Growing medium used to start seedlings is usually low in nutrients and a regular fertilizing program is important for proper plant growth. For best results apply a liquid fertilizer high in phosphorous weekly. Always use a liquid form of fertilizer.

PINCHING SEEDLINGS Pinching the growing tips of seedlings will result in more bushing or branching. This produces a fuller, stockier plant.

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SEEDS .

HARDENING OFF SEEDLINGS BEFORE TRANSPLANTING INTO THE GARDEN Plants grown indoors should be gradually acclimatized to outdoor conditions. If seedlings are not acclimatized, leaves may be burned by the sun or damaged by the wind. Acclimate plants by first placing them in a cool, protected location, such as a porch or shaded cold frame.

TRANSPLANTING SEEDLINGS INTO THE GARDEN To prevent soil compaction the garden soil should be adequately dry . Plants will again experience transplant shock and a setback in growth. Plants must adjust to dramatically different nutrient levels, soil temperatures, moisture levels and soil tilth in the garden.

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