If you are a plant lover and want to build your garden without spending a lot of money
on buying new plants. Then you are at the right place. By reading this article you will
know the most common methods of plant propagation.
Plant propagation is a method in which new plants grow from the old plant. There
are many situations in which propagation is applicable. These situations involve plant
cloning, home gardening, and grafting.
Some of the plants are so easy to propagate. While some need different techniques in
their propagation. Different plants have different methods of propagation. The
technique you use will depend upon the type of plant and the effort you put into it to
propagate.
Most common methods:
Following are the most common methods of plant propagation:
● Propagation by cutting method
● Propagation by division method
● Propagation by layering method
● Propagation by grafting method
● Propagation by seed collecting method
Propagation by the cutting method:
The propagation of plants by cutting is the most common and easiest method. The
plant grows from the cutting mature faster than the plant that grows from the seed.
Plants that grow from cutting have the same characteristics as the parent plant. The
cutting method is further divided into three categories: i.e. Root cutting, stem cutting,
and leaf cutting.
Root cutting: Root cutting is usually done in the dormant period of the plant, i.e, from
November to February. Because in the dormancy period of a plant energy stored in the
roots is maximum and chances of stress on the parent plant are minimum.
Stem cutting: It is the most common propagation method for shrub and ornamental
plants. It is the most versatile method of plant propagation. Stem cutting is usually
taken in late fall or winter when plants have completed their first season of growth.
Leaf-cutting: Leaf cutting is also an effective way of plant propagation. Plants who
has thick fleshy leaves often grow as a rosette and are most likely to propagate
through leaves. Plants that are in their vital growth phase are best for propagation
from leaves. The most usual time for leaf propagation is early summer or early fall.
Propagation by division method: Propagation by division method is most common
for perennials. Perennials are those plants that live for more than two years. The
division method involves the digging of plants and moving to another place.
Commonly plants that grow up in fall are divided in spring and plants of summer are
divided in the fall season. This helps in the rejuvenation of plant and reduce water and
nutrient competition.
Propagation by layering method: Layering produces a clone of plants.
In this technique, plants do naturally layering through offshoots, runners, and when a
stem falls on the ground and is covered by soil.
A few techniques of layering are:
Simple layering: In this technique, the plant’s stem is wounded, then it is stapled, and
lastly covered with soil to form roots.
Serpentine Layering: It is the same as simple layering only difference is in this type
we choose multiple layering points.
Tip layering: In this technique, the tip of the plant shoot is buried in the ground.
Air layering: It is done for trees and plants whose branches are stiff and can’t bend
towards ground level. For air layering, you need to moisten the moss to wrap around
the wounded part of the tree and then cover the entire area with plastic wrap to retain
the moisture.
Propagation by Grafting method: It is the most complex method of propagation.
This method involves cutting of twig of one plant and joining it with the stem of
another plant. The main aim of grafting is to combine the qualities of both plants. The
new plant formed as a result of grafting produces better fruits and more attractive
blooms. Before grafting, you should take care of a few things. Like, sanitize your tools
and hand to avoid the risk of infection.
Propagation by seed collecting method: Propagation by seed collection is the most
popular way of getting new plants. Seeds are collected from existing plants and used
in other locations. Seed collection differs from plant to plant. The seeds from annual
and perennials are collected after the plant is bloomed and petals are fallen off.
So, choose your plant and method and start working on your greeneries.
Happy Propagation to you!