Vegetative Propagation

Vegetative Propagation
of
Horticulture Plants
by
Cuttings
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 uses several
of the plant parts for reproducing the
plant asexually.
Cuttings
Runners
Storage organs
Layering
Grafting
Micropropagation

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.

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

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

Stem cuttings
Cuttings should generally consist

of the current or past seasons
growth.
Avoid material with flower buds
if possible.
Remove any flowers and flower buds
when preparing cuttings so the cuttings
energy can be used in producing new
roots rather than flowers.

Stem cuttings
Take cuttings from healthy,

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

Stem cuttings
The fertility status of the stock

(parent) plant can influence
rooting.
The stock plant should not be
under moisture stress.
In general, cuttings taken from young

plants root in higher percentages
than cuttings taken from older, more
mature plants.

Stem cuttings
Early morning is the best time to

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

Stem cuttings
Use a sharp, thin-bladed pocket

knife or sharp pruning shears.
If necessary, dip the cutting 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.

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.

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).

Semi-hardwood cuttings are usually

prepared from partially mature wood of
the current seasons 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.

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.

The three types of hardwood cuttings

are straight, mallet, and heel (Fig.).
A straight cutting (1) is the most
commonly used stem cutting.
Mallet (2) and heel cuttings (3) are used

for plants that might otherwise be more
difficult to root.

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.

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.

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.

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 .

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.

Vegetative Propagation

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What are the different types of cuttings discussed?

What are the different types of cuttings discussed?

What factors should be considered when taking cuttings?

What factors should be considered when taking cuttings?

Vegetative Propagation

Vegetative Propagation of Horticulture Plants

Vegetative Propagation of Horticulture Plants

Vegetative Propagation of Horticulture Plants

Vegetative Propagation of Horticulture Plants

Vegetative Propagation of Horticulture Plants

Cuttings should generally consist

Vegetative Propagation of Horticulture Plants

Take cuttings from healthy,

Vegetative Propagation of Horticulture Plants

The fertility status of the stock

In general, cuttings taken from young

Vegetative Propagation of Horticulture Plants

Early morning is the best time to

Vegetative Propagation of Horticulture Plants

Use a sharp, thin-bladed pocket

If necessary, dip the cutting tool in

Vegetative Propagation of Horticulture Plants

Remove the leaves from the lower

On large-leafed plants, the remaining

Vegetative Propagation of Horticulture Plants

Softwood cuttings are prepared

Vegetative Propagation of Horticulture Plants

Semi-hardwood cuttings are usually

Vegetative Propagation of Horticulture Plants

Hardwood cuttings are taken from

Vegetative Propagation of Horticulture Plants

The three types of hardwood cuttings

Mallet (2) and heel cuttings (3) are used

Vegetative Propagation of Horticulture Plants

Taking root cuttings is one of the

Take a close look at the roots that

Vegetative Propagation of Horticulture Plants

Look for large fleshy roots, the

Take 2 to 6 inch (2 to 15 cm) cuttings

Vegetative Propagation of Horticulture Plants

The best way to keep track of "up"

Water the plants to settle the roots

Vegetative Propagation of Horticulture Plants

Whole leaf cuttings are prepared

Vegetative Propagation of Horticulture Plants

Leaf bud cuttings consist of a single

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