Post on 22-Dec-2015
Why use asexual propagation?
• Uniformity• Propagate non-seed producing plants• Avoid seedborne diseases• To create insect or disease resistant plants• To incorporate environmental tolerances• To reproduce and retain the genetic traits of a hybrid• Control size and form of a plant• Can be faster and easier, cheaper
Disadvantages of asexual propagation
• Uniformity• Short storage time• Bulky• Systemic infections can be spread
Cuttings
• Softwood – late spring, new growth
• Semi-hardwood (ripe) – summer, recent growth
• Hardwood – late fall (dormant), 1 yr. growth
Cutting principles• Age of material• Correct seasonal timing• Sterile rooting medium, sanitation• High humidity• No direct sun• Shoots without flowers or flower buds• Node near base of cutting• Rooting hormones• Basal wounding of woody cuttings• Remove leaves in contact with rooting medium
Cutting resources
• Fine Gardening Magazine online• University Ag Extension sites
– NCSU– Purdue– Univ. of Missouri
God and plant propagation
• " 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain. 23 On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar.” (Ezekiel 17)
Types of layering
• Simple layering• Tip layering• Compound layering• Mound layering• Trench layering• Air layering
Why graft?
• Incorporate disease, insect resistance (link)• Incorporate temperature tolerance• Quickly increase # of a desirable type• Change cultivar of fruit in an orchard• Control form (dwarfing, weeping, tree mums &
roses)• Repair bark damage
Grafting principles
• Taxonomic compatibility• Timing of graft (dormant scion)• Waterproof graft junction• Rootstock diameter > scion diameter
Grafting over
• Adding a cultivar to an established fruit tree– Replace the existing cultivar– Add a new pollinator– Try a new cultivar
• Top-working• Frame-working
Double working (p. 440)
• Using an interstock to graft an incompatible scion to a rootstock– Interstock is compatible with both scion and
rootstock
Grafting information online
• UGA Extension Service• NCSU Home propagation• Texas A & M
Micropropagation
• Utilizes cell and tissue culture• Home tissue culture