Plant Propagation by Division and Separation
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Transcript of Plant Propagation by Division and Separation
Plant Propagationby
Division and Separation
A subtle difference
• Division– plant parts were not intended to be separated (at
least not immediately, perhaps by death)– requires us to cut or pull plants apart
• Separation – Plant parts are formed with the intention of
detaching (specific abscission zone)– plant parts detach naturally (although we may
help)
Reasons to divide
1. “Make” a bunch of new plants (propagation)
2. “Revive” existing plant(s)
3. Preserve certain characteristics (chimeras)
Chimera
Chimera
• Single organism with two genetically different types of tissue
• Sansevieria = periclinal chimera
• never propagate true-to-type by cutting types or methods that require adventitious shoot formation
Division
• Stolons• “Runners”• Horizontal stem (usually above
ground)• One of many stems• Often thin with long internodes• Develop plantlets at the nodes• Examples (Fragaria, Ajuga,
Spider Plant, Cynodon, Zoysia) • Anytime you have roots or go
into mist
Division
• Rhizomes• Horizontal, underground stem• The main stem• Often thick, white and fleshy• Has nodes and internodes• Examples (Iris, Canna, Water
Lily, Johnson Grass, Sansevieria, Bamboo)
• Iris = divide after flowering (ideally)
Division
• Tubers• Swollen stem• NOT a root i.e. it has
nodes and buds• Examples (caladiums,
oxalis, anemones, and potato, yam)
• Divide early spring, 2 eyes per division
Separation• True bulbs (tunicate)• Compressed stem enclosed by
fleshy layers (leaves)• Offsets (splitting)• Produce new bulblets
underground• Some (e.g.) Walking Onion topset
bulbils• Examples (onions, tulips, and
narcissus )• Divide summer or fall (after
flowering and the foliage has died back)
Walking Onion bulbils
Separation• True bulbs (imbricate)• Compressed stem enclosed
by fleshy, scaly layers (leaves)• Offsets (splitting)• Scaling• Produce new bulbs [bulbils
(above ground on the stem) & bulblets (below ground between scales)]
• Examples (Asian Lilies)• Divide summer or fall (after
flowering and the foliage has died back)
Tiger Lily bulbils
Separation
• Corms• Squat, swollen stem with
nodes and internodes• Storage• No fleshy layers (thin, dry)• New corm develops above
the old one• Cormels• Examples (Crocus, Gladiolus,
some Begonias)• Divide after foliage is spent
Division
• Offsets• Examples (Date Palm,
Haworthia, Bromeliads, Aloe, many Cacti)
• Provide proper conditions
Division
• Crowns and clumps• Examples (Ornamental
grasses)• Divide during dormancy
Division
• Tuberous roots• Storage• Crown tissue (proximal)• Examples (Dahlias,
Sweet Potatoes)• Divide (fall) after
foliage, replant (spring), or produce slips
• http://www.food-skills-for-self-sufficiency.com/sweet-potato-slips.html
Division
• Fleshy roots• Examples (Peonies,
Daylilies)• Fall or spring
Yam or sweet potato
• http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/vegetables/sweetpotato.html
Next week
• Bring a sharp knife for grafting!• Bring apple scion wood if you have special
varieties you would like to graft onto the M111 rootstock.