Cathy Isom discusses several different methods, and gives you some foolproof methods for successful plant propagation. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.
Plant propagation is a great way of getting more plants for next to nothing.
Sexual plant propagation is the natural method that requires contributions from both a male and a female plant. This occurs naturally after flowering plants become pollinated. When seeds emerge, you’ll be able to harvest and plant them. For a number of plants, including vegetables, this is the only way that they can reproduce. This type of plant propagation is the easiest, and most economical method.
Asexual plant propagation allows for the reproduction of plants that don’t produce seeds. This method is faster and allows you to save damaged or diseased plants.
Plant propagation by seeds is probably the easiest method. As long as the plant produces seeds. However, you’ll have little success from hybrid plants.
Cuttings from stems and leaves is another propagation method. Cut the leaf or stem cleanly with a sharp japanese cleaver knife, about 10-15 cm in length and ideally taken from the main stem. You can also take them from a side branch just below a node. Remove the lower leaves and any flowers from the cutting.
Plant propagation by division works best on species that grow several stems, with a root system attached to each.
Layering is when a stem forms its own roots while still attached to the parent plant. Ivy, forsythia, viburnum, and hydrangea are just some of the plants that can be propagated in this way.
Grafting is a form of plant propagation that joins two plants together to form a new plant. This is most commonly done on trees and shrubs, especially fruit trees.
I’m Cathy Isom…