Transcript Propagation of Plants by Cuttings

Plant Propagation
by Stem Cuttings
Created by Ms. Holli Bowman and Dr. Frank Flanders
Georgia Agriculture Education Curriculum Office
May 2002
Note to the teacher: Click HERE to go to slides containing teacher notes or
turn on ‘Notes/Normal View’ for additional notes on each slide.
Click HERE to meet the authors.
1
Cutting - Defined
Any detached plant
part which, when
placed under
favorable conditions,
will produce a new
plant identical to the
parent plant.
2
Types of Stem Cuttings
Segments of stems containing
buds are used to produce new
plants. There are several types:
• Softwood
• Semi-hardwood
• Hardwood
• Herbaceous
3
Types of Stem Cuttings
(continued)
Softwood cuttings
are taken from
woody plants when
growth is still
relatively soft and
succulent before
tissues have
matured and
become woody.
4
Types of Stem Cuttings
(continued)
Semi-hardwood
cuttings differ from
softwood cuttings only
in the maturity of the
wood. They are
collected later in the
growing season when
the lower portion of the
cutting has become
lignified (woody).
5
Types of Stem Cuttings
(continued)
Hardwood cuttings are taken in the
dormant season when tissues are fully
matured and lignified through their
entire length. This may be after leaves
have dropped in deciduous species.
6
Types of Stem Cuttings
(continued)
Herbaceous cuttings are made from
succulent, herbaceous (non-woody)
plants such as geraniums,
chrysanthemums, coleus, and
carnations.
7
Procedure
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Gather Materials
Prepare Rooting Media
Remove Cuttings from Stock
Prepare Cuttings
Apply Rooting Hormone
Place Cuttings in Media
Label Cuttings
Follow Proper Safety and
Sanitation Procedures
8
Materials
Rooting Medium
Cutting Stock
Rooting
Non-Water Hormone
Soluble
Marking
Utensil
Spoon
Labels
Cup
Pruning Shears
Liquid
Rooting
Hormone
9
Preparing the
Rooting Media
10
Many types of media may be used for rooting beds
including sand, perlite, pine bark and vermiculite or
a combination of these products. Vermiculite,
shown here, makes a good rooting media because of
its coarse texture, sterile nature and water and air
holding capacities.
11
Rooting media should be firmed so cuttings make good
contact with the media and to eliminate large air
pockets. Firming can be accomplished with clean hands,
a piece of wood or by tapping the container on the bench.
The media should also be thoroughly moistened.
12
Vermiculite is a mineral that has been exposed
to high heat and expanded – sort of like popcorn.
Its coarse structure is an asset. Be careful not to
pack it or crush it, thus destroying its structure.
13
Removal of Cuttings
14
Many propagators take large pieces of stock from the
field and move to an indoor location for final cutting
preparation and sticking. In this case, place cuttings in
a plastic bag and keep the cuttings out of the sunlight.
15
Keep cuttings cool and moist if they are not
used immediately. An ice chest with a small
amount of ice performs this function well.
16
Select quality stock. Avoid stems with
flowers and berries.
17
Make a basal cut just below a node at a 45
degree angle.
18
Make maximum use of stock provided by taking
multiple cuttings from one branch. The top cuts are
sometimes called stem-tip cuttings while the cuttings
made below the top are called medial cuttings.
19
Cuttings should be 3” to 6” long, and uniform in
size, although larger or smaller cuttings are used
in certain situations. Cutting size is limited
because the top of the cutting must be supported
by the limited amount of moisture that can be
absorbed through the base until rooting takes
place.
20
Uniformity of a nursery crop is very
important from a marketing standpoint
as well as obtaining a uniform, healthy
look when plants are installed in the
landscape. Uniformity begins in the
propagation bed.
21
Preparation of Cuttings
22
Remove the bottom leaves from the
cuttings. Leaves placed under the soil or
in direct contact with the media may rot
and cause disease.
23
Cuttings of harder-to-root plants are often wounded to
expose more cambium and increase the chances of
rooting while decreasing the time required to root.
24
Identify the tops of deciduous cuttings so
that the cuttings are not turned upside down
in the rooting media. Often times this is
done by cutting the top of the cutting at a 90
degree angle and the bottom of the cutting at
a 45 degree angle. This allows polarity to be
observed.
Bottom
Top
25
The leaves of
large-leaved
cuttings may
be trimmed
before sticking
to conserve
propagation
space.
26
Application of
Rooting Hormone
27
The application of
rooting hormone often
promotes production of
a new root system.
28
Measure a small amount of powder into a
separate container to avoid contamination
of the entire supply.
29
Treat multiple cuttings at the same time.
30
Tap off the excess hormone powder. Be sure
that the portion of the stem that will be
under the media is coated.
31
If using liquid hormone, hold cuttings in liquid
for a full 5 seconds. (Count 1001, 1002, 1003,
1004, 1005.)
32
Placement of Cuttings
in Medium
33
Make holes in the growing media with a
label or other clean tool.
34
Cutting a furrow in the growing media
is also acceptable.
35
Place cuttings into the media 1 to 2 inches deep.
Hold each cutting with your fingers at the desired
depth and push the cutting into the prepared hole
or furrow until the desired depth is reached.
Placing all cutting at the same depth helps in
establishing uniformity.
36
Gently firm the soil around the base of the
cutting to hold the cutting in place, to
eliminate air pockets, and make sure the base
is in good contact with the moist media.
37
The cuttings can also be firmed using a
label or other clean tool.
38
To test for proper firmness of the media around
the base of the cutting, give a light tug on the
cutting. If the cutting slips easily from the
media with little resistance, the cutting was not
firmed properly.
39
Cuttings
should be
spaced in
the rooting
media to
allow for
efficient
use of
propagation
space.
40
Rows should be evenly spaced with little
overlap of leaves to help prevent disease.
41
Cuttings placed too close together, with overlapping
leaves, hold moisture and prevent air circulation,
allowing disease organisms to thrive.
42
Labeling Cuttings
43
Using a non-water soluble marker, prepare a
label with scientific name, cultivar, common
name and date. Additional information for the
label may include hormone treatment and
name of the propagator.
44
Place the label in the container with the plant
name facing out for easy identification.
45
One final step is to
water-in the cuttings to
settle the rooting
medium around the
base of the cuttings.
Following watering,
the cuttings should be
placed on a mist bed to
ensure proper
moisture levels are
maintained.
46
Safety and Sanitation
Procedures
47
NEVER cut toward hand or fingers!
48
Pruning shears should be closed when
not in use.
49
Proper sanitation is essential to prevent disease.
Alcohol or a 10% bleach solution may be used.
50
Discard
remaining
rooting hormone
to prevent the
spread of
disease.
DO NOT
contaminate the
main supply by
returning used
hormone to the
original
container.
51
DO NOT
use cutting
materials that are
dropped on the
floor. The
dropped
materials may
become
contaminated
with disease and
infect the entire
crop. Keep work
areas neat, clean
and free of
debris.
52
Attention to detail is important when
propagating nursery stock. Following
proper procedures in all aspects will ensure
a healthy, uniform and marketable crop.
53
Summary
54
Prepare Rooting Media
• Select a rooting media with good
water and air holding capacities.
• Prepare the media by moistening
and firming it into the selected
container.
• Take care when working with
vermiculite – do not crush the
material.
55
Removal of Cuttings
• Take large pieces of stock from the field to an
indoor location for preparation and sticking.
• Keep stock cool and moist if it is not used
immediately.
• Select the best quality stock. Stock with
berries or flowers should be avoided. If
necessary, remove flowers and berries.
• Cuts should be made cleanly using a sharp
pair of pruning shears, just beneath a node.
• Maximize the plant stock provided.
• Trim cuttings to between 3” and 6” in height.
All cuttings should be of uniform height and
size.
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Preparation of Cuttings
• Trim the leaves from the bottom ¼ to
1/3 of the cutting.
• Wound or scar the cuttings.
• Observe polarity by cutting the the top
of the cuttings at a 90 degree angle
and the bottom at a 45 degree angle.
• Trim the leaves of large-leaved
species.
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Application of Rooting Hormone
• Application of rooting hormone promotes
the production of a new root system.
• Prevent possible contamination by
measuring a small amount of hormone
powder into separate container before
treating cuttings.
• Treat multiple cuttings at the same time in
powder or liquid rooting hormone.
• Tap off excess powder before placing in
rooting medium.
• If using liquid rooting hormone, hold in the
hormone for a full 5 seconds.
58
Placement of Cuttings
• Make a hole or furrow in the growing medium
to accept the cutting.
• Place cutting into the hole or furrow to a depth
of 1 to 2 inches.
• Gently firm the soil around the base of the
cutting to hold the cutting in place and
eliminate any air pockets. The cuttings can
also be firmed in using a label or other clean
tool.
• Test for proper firmness by giving the cutting a
light tug.
• Cuttings should be evenly spaced in the
propagation media.
59
Labeling Cuttings
• Using a permanent marker, make a
label with the scientific name, cultivar
and common name and date.
Additional information for the label
may include hormone treatment and
name of the propagator.
• Make sure the label is neat and legible.
Place the label where it can be readily
seen and read.
• Water-in the cuttings and place on a
mist bed.
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Safety and Sanitation
Procedures
• Avoid cutting toward hands and fingers.
• Pruning shears should be closed and locked
when not in use.
• Tools and materials should be properly
sanitized to prevent the spread of disease.
• Excess rooting hormone should be
discarded.
• The work area should be kept neat, clean and
free of clutter.
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Teacher Notes
The following three slides contain the teacher notes for this presentation. They
can be printed for reference or viewed in the notes/normal view of PowerPoint.
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Slide
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Title Slide: This presentation gives the definition of a cutting and illustrates the
process of propagating a softwood stem cutting.
Slide #3: The type of cutting depends on the propagator’s circumstances, the time of
year and the plant to be propagated. The following is a list of ornamentals which are
readily propagated from cuttings: Abelia, Azalea, Barberry, Boxwood, Hydrangea,
Cotoneaster, Elaeagnus, Flowering Quince, Gardenia, Holly, Honeysuckle, Camellia,
Juniper, Euonymus, Forsythia, Pyrancantha, Rose, Spirea, Viburnum, Crape Myrtle.
Additionally, several plants are difficult, if not impossible to propagate from cuttings.
These include fir, pine, hemlock, redbud, ginkgo, mountain laurel, spruce, Southern
magnolia and dogwood. Most common shade trees such as oak and elm are also
difficult to propagate from cuttings.
Slide #4: Softwood cuttings usually root easier and faster than other types of stem
cuttings, taking about 6 weeks. Softwood cuttings should be taken during the summer
months when plants are still growing. The stems should be hardened enough to “snap”
when bent.
Slide #5: Semi-hardwood cuttings of evergreen species are generally taken from new
shoots 6 to 9 weeks after a flush of growth when the wood is partially matured. This
can be any time from mid-spring to the end of the growing season.
Slide #6: Cuttings should be planted upright with the top 2-3 buds above the medium.
Hardwood cuttings vary in length from 4 to 20 inches with at least two nodes included
in the cutting. The diameter of the cutting may range from ¼ to 1 inch depending upon
the species.
Slide #7: Herbaceous cuttings are typically3 to 5 inches in length with leaves retained
at the upper end. Most florists’ crops are propagated by herbaceous cuttings.
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Slide #9: Note to teacher/presenter: When viewing the slide show, clicking the
mouse once will start the animation of this slide. The names of each of the following
items will appear one second after the previous.
Several materials are necessary to propagate cuttings:
Rooting Medium – such as vermiculite or coarse sand mixed in a 1:1 ratio with
peatmoss. The media should be sterile to help the cutting avoid disease infections. It
should also be low in fertility, drain well enough to provide oxygen, yet retain enough
moisture to prevent water stress.
Spoon – for measuring rooting hormone
Permanent Marker – for marking labels
Rooting Hormone – such as RooTone or Dip ‘n Grow
Cup – to place rooting hormone in
Pruning Shears – for making cuttings and wounding
Labels – to mark name and date of cuttings
Slide # 17: Flowers and berries consume much of the food stored in and produced by
the cutting – nutrients which would otherwise be used to produce a new root system.
Slide #24: The purpose of wounding cutting is to remove a portion of the bark layer to
expose the cambium. New roots will be formed in this area. Wounding is generally
done on harder to root woody plants. One method of wounding is to remove a thin
layer of the bark from the base of the cutting one half inch to one inch long with a knife
or the blade of a shear. This may be done on one or more sides of the cutting.
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Slide #25: Explain the meaning of Polarity to the students. Polarity is a common
phenomenon in most organisms. The word Polar implies to things which are at the
opposite ends of an axis. The North Pole and the South Pole are at the opposite ends of
an Axis drawn through the center of the Earth. Most plants are polar. The root and
shoot are typically the "poles" we visualize when we think about plants. We can also
visualize the Shoot tip and the Shoot base as opposite ends of the shoot axis. The same
applies to roots, and other organs which are polar.
Slide #31: It is important to tap off the excess powder because a thick coating of
rooting hormone will burn the tissue of the cutting.
Slide #34: A hole or furrow must be made in the growing media in order to insert the
cutting. This is necessary so the rooting hormone previously applied to the cutting will
not be knocked off when placed in the medium.
Slide #4o: Propagation space is expensive. Cuttings must be placed close enough
together in the media to make efficient use of the space but spaced far enough apart to
allow good air circulation and drying of the foliage and stems to prevent disease.
Slide #46: Care must be taken when watering-in to make sure the cuttings are not
dislodged.
Slide # 50: Tools can be sterilized by soaking is a disinfectant such as rubbing alcohol,
a diluted bleach solution (dilute 1 part bleach to 10 parts water) or boiling water.
Disease picked up from one cutting can easily be spread to the cut area of all other
cuttings.
Slide #52: Propagation areas, especially the floor, of nurseries are a great place for
plant diseases to thrive. The area should be kept clean and disinfected often. Dropped
cuttings placed in the propagation flat may infect the entire crop.
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Ms. Holli Bowman is a master’s
graduate of the Agricultural
Education Program at the University
of Georgia. She will begin teaching
Horticulture at North Hall High
School in the Fall of 2002.
Dr. Frank Flanders is the Curriculum
Coordinator for Georgia Agriculture
Education. He and his staff produce
the Georgia Agricultural Education
Curriculum Resource and Reference
CD annually.
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