# propagation

There are many ways to propagate plants. The sheer will power of plant life to transform from a plant cutting to a full self sustaining plant is a true marvel.

# seed propagation

Seeds consist of an embryo (tiny plant with a shoot, a root, and seed leaves) surrounded by a food reserve.

The seed coat protects the embryo and its food storage from fungi, bacteria, insects, animals, and environmental hardships.

There can be many techniques involved with seed propagation and will depend on the way the seeds germinate in nature. Seed packets from stores will usually have appropriate instructions. Doing research and experimenting with seed from vegetables or fruits can be a lot of fun. Avocado pits are easy to germinate and will do great in front of a south facing window.

# seed viability

Seeds in nature have different lifespans depending on conditions. Seed storage should be done in dry, dark conditions below 40 degrees to prevent gemination. The Svalbard Global Seed Vault stores theirs at -18 Celsius

# seed dormancy

Seeds are considered dormant when they do not germinate when given the appropriate conditions. Dormancy prevents seeds from germinating in the fall when they could be killed through extreme heat or cold. Dormancy also staggers plants in the wild.

Seed coats contain waterproofing that is worn down by low temperatures where bacterial and fungi further the process. These seed needs to absorb enough water to germinate. Scarification, or physical notching of the seed coat to allow moisture to reach the embryo. This can be done with sandpaper or a knife. Only remove a small area and be careful not to damage the seed.

Some seeds need to be chilled, simulating the passage of the winter season. Chilling periods can vary anywhere from 3 to 20 weeks depending on the depth of dormancy. After chilling, germination can be helped by giving the seed to warm temperatures around 68 degrees for 60 days.

Sometimes the seed coat has a chemical suppressant to inhibit germination. This is normally degraded when an animal eats the seed and its gut will breakdown the coat. Plants that come from environments prone to bush fires may require chemicals in smoke to prompt germination. This alerts the seed to when surrounding plants are burned off and competition is lessened.

# vegetative propagation

some plants can propagate clones asexually rather than through fertilization. There are a variety of gardening techniques that take advantage of this feature and understanding which plants can propagate this way can help mitigate the nerves around a dying plant that could be propagated into a smaller but healthier one.

# division

Division is the separation of the parent plant into several self supporting plants. Snake plants and Aloe divide this way. These clump forming plants usually produce natural divisions that have their own roots. Plantlets will have their own roots and propagation can be dome simply by pulling the plantlets away from the parent.

# cuttings

cuttings propagate based on the plants ability to regenerate differentiated tissue from stem, leaf, root, or bud into a fully developed new plant. Plants that have this ability will generate adventurous roots from induced wounds. Certain other plants have root initials dormant in stems, so they will root rapidly from cuttings.

# preparing cuttings

Where to cut and how to cut will depend on the plant. Doing the research and understanding the plant parts will yield a higher chance of cuttings rooting.

# nodal cutting

For stemmed plants, cut below the stem node since the cells most involved in growth are concentrated at leaf joints.

# wounding

Cutting from hard wood often roots more readily if bark is cut away from base, this exposes more layers of the cambium.

# heel cutting

Cuttings of semi ripe wood is best taken by pulling away a small side shoot so that it retains a portion of the main shoot.

# callusing

Callous tissue is formed when a stem is cut. If the soil is not optimal, the callous may thicken and hinder root growth. You can peel callous tissue away with a sharp knife.

# types of cuttings

The type of cutting will have different rooting behavior and can be taken from plant parts that are at different growth stages.

# softwood cuttings

Taken from the first growth in spring. They have the highest rooting potential but a low survival rate. These cuttings lose water quickly and are vulnerable to bruising.

# greenwood cuttings

Taken from young stems that are beginning to firm up. More resilient than softwood cuttings.

# semi-ripe cuttings

When stems are firmer and buds appear. cuttings should be taken with a heel.

# hardwood cuttings

Cut from dormant wood. These root much slower but plant will be more robust.

# leaf bud cuttings

Taken from shrub plants. Roots like semi ripe cuttings.

# leaf cuttings

fewer plants can regenerate from just leaves. Succulent leaves will callous over and produce roots, eventually growing into a clone.

# root cuttings

plants that produce horizontal shoot or suckers can propagate from root cuttings.

# increasing the success of cutting propagation

Water the plant a few hours before cutting to ensure the tissues are turgid.

Prepare cuttings quickly to avoid losing moisture.

Hygiene and health are both important factors to note. Avoid transferring or introducing diseases to the cutting.

Bottom heat around 60 to 80 degrees can promote rooting with colder air at the top to encourage roots instead of foliage.

Rooting medium should remain moist.

# layering

Layering techniques can be used on plants that naturally form adventurous roots when the stem is close to soil. Pothos is a prolific grower that produce visible root notes on the runner. Rooting of an offshoot can occur while still attached to the parent plant, to be severed when the new plant is fully rooted.

# french layering

Pin new shoots down to the soil. when the sideshoot roots and produces its own leaves, then they can be separated from the main plant.

# air layering

Used for stems that cannot be trained to the ground. Rooting medium is compacted around an aerial branch. Removing bark traps food that would go to the roots, providing nutrients for rooting.

# stock plants

Stock plants are grown to provide cutting material. Usually a healthy, vigorous, mature plant is selected. The plant should have compact growth with lots of young shoots. Healthy plants will yield healthier child plants.

Restricted root runs ensure stored energy is used for shoot production. Hard pruning will produce strong basal roots.

Temperature shocking. 36 degrees for 14 days followed by 45-60 degrees enhances rooting ability.

Keeping stems out of light softens the skin to help root.

No more than 60% of top growth should be taken from the stock plant at any given time.