Lecture 1 Introduction to Plant Propagation - Glenn T. Sako (1).pdf

Introduction to Plant Propagation Glenn T. Sako Assistant County Extension Agent CTAHR, UHM  Purposes for Plant Propagation Multiply the number of a species Perpetuate a species Maintain the youthfulness of a plant  Types of Propagation Sexual (seed)...

Introduction to Plant Propagation Glenn T. Sako Assistant County Extension Agent CTAHR, UHM  Purposes for Plant Propagation Multiply the number of a species Perpetuate a species Maintain the youthfulness of a plant  Types of Propagation Sexual (seed) – Involves floral parts of the plant – Union of pollen and egg Asexual (vegetative) – Regenerate part of a parent plant into a new plant – Genetically identical to its one parent – Involves stems, roots, or leaves  Seed Advantages Produce large number of seedlings from a single parent plant May store seeds for future propagation Breed for new varieties and hybrid vigor Avoid transmission of certain diseases  Seed Disadvantages Genetic material may not be uniform Cannot save seeds from hybrids Long time to sizable plant – Woody plants and shrubs Irritants in fleshy covering (palms, etc.)  Seed Storage Keep in sealed container Refrigerate @ 400F Low humidity Viability can approach 5 years – Varies with species – Viability will decline Check germination % of stored seeds prior to planting  Factors that affect Germination Water – imbibition Oxygen – respiration takes place in all viable seeds Light – requires light: impatiens, petunias, lettuce – requires dark: pansy Temperature – some seeds have optimal temperatures for germination  Seedling Media Requirements Particle size should be fine and uniform Well drained Free of insects, disease, & weed seeds Low in total soluble salts Avoid soil from the garden – Heavy, not sterile  Transplanting Seedlings When young plants less susceptible to shock (transplant shock) Usually when 1st true leaves appear Can be left longer when grown in cell packs or individual containers After transplanting, wait 1-2 weeks before fertilizing at a low rate Cotyledon Endosperm Tap root Questions?  Asexual (Vegetative) Propagation Cuttings – Rooting a severed piece from a parent plant Layering – Rooting a stem while attached to the parent plant Division – Separation of multi-crown plants Grafting & Budding – Joining of 2 plant parts Tissue Culture – Aseptic culture of meristematic tissue  Vegetative Advantages Larger, fuller plant produced faster Genetically, same as the parent Only way to propagate some species Bypasses juvenile characteristics Vegetative Propagation Concerns Time spent collecting and preparing vegetative material May need structures and water  Cuttings Many new plants from few stock plants, in a limited space Need structure and water – Can be simple Some plant material are difficult to root – Wounding – Rooting hormone  Tools and Materials Shears Saw (Depends on size of stock plant) Container (Tray, pots, sleeves, etc.) Media  Lopper By-pass shears Fixed blade - 16” Folding saw - 9”  Media Sterile Low fertility Well-drained Retains moisture Peat/perlite (1:1 mix) Vermiculite/perlite (1:1 mix)  Propagation Structures Simple – Plastic bag over a container with moist peat Backyard – Covered structure with mist system Large – Saran – Plastic covered – Mist system Questions?  Layering Used on difficult to root plants Results in larger rooted material No special structures needed Less propagation material per plant Time spent to do the layering Simple Layering  Air Layering Materials Sharp knife Sphagnum moss - wet – May use other materials like peat Aluminum foil or plastic sheet Parent plant in good, vigorous growing condition. – Branch pointing upwards at 450 Bark Cambium Layer Select a branch growing upwards at 450 2 deep cuts around the branch, 1” apart Peel off the bark Disrupt cambium Phloem layer with cambium starting to heal  Root Phloem tissues have reconnected. Layer will probably fail. Wet sphagnum moss Moss on foil; cover cut Questions?  Division Severing of rhizomes, tubers, & tuberous roots When bulblets or cormels detach naturally it is called separation  Grafting and Budding Joining of plant parts – fruit trees Utilized when other propagation methods fail Rootstock – Provides vigor for better quality – Disease resistance – Characteristics extended to grafted scion wood. Budding –when only single bud utilized  Conditions for a Successful Graft Scion & Rootstock – Cambiums must be aligned with each other – Be compatible – Be at proper physiological stage (buds dormant) Graft union kept moist – wrapped with grafting tape, waxed, etc.  Budding Shield or T-Bud – Inverted T-Bud Materials Sharp knife Tape Melted wax Cleft Graft: Cut into rootstock Scion prep: Single stroke Insert scion into rootstock Wrap scion Grafting and Budding Questions?  Cloning Aseptic culture of meristematic tissue – Propagation in a sterile environment Mostly used in orchid industry Needs specialized equipment and technique Able to produce large numbers of plants from a single parent May have some genetic alteration – Individual plantlets Filter Fan What are you propagating?