Plant Propagation

• buyings eeds
• gathering seeds (technique & timing important)
• cleaning seeds
• drying seeds
• storing seeds

• Containters
• trays
• flats
• plugs

• Planting depth : 0-2x thickness of seed
• Maintain moisture/humidity near soils
• provide patial shade until germination

• fine friable soil, free of weeds, debris, and large particles
• broadcast, row or border seeding
• rake in seeds, protect from birds, rodents, cats
• nursery beds prior to platin
• keep moist, warm if posssible
• thin seedlings upon germination
• plant in permanent spots when more mature

• Divisions
• Seeds
• Stratification
• Layering
• Cuttings (stem, leaves, roots)
• Micro-propagation (tissue culture)

• 1 - conserve stock plants reserves
• don't take more than 10-20% of plant
• 2 Good hygiene
• use clean sterilized tools
• sharp tools
• sterile growing media
• removal of any cutting or batch that shows signs of disease
• take cuttings when plants are not in flower, after flowering is good
• good

• rooting media provides
• support to the cutting
• clean environment-sterile
• water-retentive
• well aerated

• mixtures of peat, fine grit, perlit, vermiculite, pumice, sand
• straight vermiculate or perlite works

Semi-ripe or soft tissues from tops of perennials need good supoly of water - sheltered humid environment

• bottom heat will increase roots
• hardening off, gently
• don't overwater until they are established

• Types : stem, stem-tips, basil stem
• Soft green or semi-ripe wood
• first flush of growth good (leave second for flowering)
• non-flowering shoots always preferable
• periodic checks for pests, like aphids
• lower cut made just below a node (leaf joint)

• soft & greenwood cuttings from new growth (spring or early summer)
• semi-ripe cuttings from shoots in active growth but where basal parts beginning o ripen (mid-summer to mid-autumn)

Entire young shoots with piece of parent tissue (older) at base – cut at the crown and include a bit of root crown

Strong shoots in active growth, quick to rootIf taken early in season, can give nice sized, flowering plants same year - Salvias- Phlox

Can force plants to produce basal cutting-shoots by giving light/warmth (greenhouse) early in season

• thick stalked perennials have 'canes'
• rhododendron
• tropicals

• Sansevieria
• Peperomia
• African Violet
• Begonias
• Succulents

• Specialized leaves - spines or tiny leaves
• thick, water retaining stems
• Epiphytes
• Swollen Roots, stems or leaves

• Ice Plant
• Agaves
• Euphorbs
• Portulacas

• cuttings technique similar to other perennials
• (cactus cuttings don't wilt, susceptible to rotting)
• Suckers, offsets, tubers common
• Grafting techniques well developed
• Seeds are slower but inexpensive

• Let pods develop & ripen on plant
• Some succulents have pods with tiny seeds
• Other succulents & cactus have round seeds in fleshy pulp that must be cleaned off before drying

Keep seeds cool & dry

• most germinate quickly with warmth and moisture (sand)
• some bes sown in later winter to max growh before dormant
• most are slow growers once germinated, so plant in small containers at first

• Open, free-draining soil mix to avoid rot
• coarse sand or sharp grit

cover surface of soil mix & seeds with layer of grit

• Spray carefull or bottom water with drainage
• put pot in water dish up to 1/2 depth of pot for 1 hr, remove

• Indirect Sun
• Warm
• Can seal in clear plastic bags
• 70-86 degrees F

Most Germinate in 2-3 weeks

Hot Conditions (92 deg F) decrease germination

• Ripe or semi-ripe tissue best
• Not really young, small or immature (prone to rot)
• Use sharp, sterilized knifeSome leaf cuttings can just pull leaf off
• Allow cut surface to form a callus

• Rooting media
• Same as for seeds
• Just enough moisture to encourage rooting without being wet (which would rot them fast!)
• Use gritty cactus soil mix with fine grit on top
• Insert cutting deep enough for support but not too deep or will rot

• Late spring and growth has started
• Proper hygiene, sharp tools, cut straight across stems or leaves
• Tip of stem should be top of cutting
• Similar soil to succulent cuttingsExtra gravel to support
• Water sparingly