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The
overall process of starting plants is referred to
as propagation.
More specifically, starting a seed is called germination
and
| Propagation
: The act of propagating; continuance
or multiplication of the kind by generation
or successive production; as, the propagation
of animals or plants. |
taking
a cutting is called cloning. There are three basic
| Germination
: The process of causing the initiation
of a plant from seed. A seed will germinate, or
sprout, when conditions are right for survival.
These conditions include: adequate moisture, heat,
and/or light. The germinating seed sends its first
root (radicle) into the soil and the first stem
with the first leaves (cotyledon) toward the sun.
Some seeds require pretreatment, such as scarring
or soaking, before they will germinate. |
methods of
starting or "propagating" plants. They are:
(1) seed germination, (2) rooting stem cuttings (cloning),
(3) and tissue culture, which is an advanced form
of cloning by cell division. We will concentrate here
on the simpler, more popular methods- seed germination
and cloning.
As a general
rule of thumb, a plant desires 80 degrees and 80%
humidity during propagation. Rather than stress the
logistical technique, it is best to envision what
the plant wants and try to deliver it as best as possible.
These parameters can be accomplished using many different
products. These things are not vital to propagate
a plant, but they will markedly increase the success
rate.
Seed
Germination
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Seed germination
is sexual reproduction
| Sexual
reproduction : In sexual reproduction,
the detached portion, which is always a single
cell, called the female germ cell, is acted
upon by another portion of living matter, the
male germ cell, usually from another organism,
and in the fusion of the two (impregnation)
a new cell is formed, from the development of
which arises a new and unique organism. |
. A seed
contains an embryonic
| Embryo
: An organism in its early stages of
development, especially before it has reached
a distinctively recognizable form. |
plant in a resting
condition, and germination is its resumption of growth.
It contains within itself virtually all the materials
and energy needed to ensure a healthy start.A seed
begins to germinate when the temperature is in the
appropriate range and when water and oxygen are available.
One of the most common causes of failure with seed
germination is sowing too deeply; a seed has only
enough food within itself for a limited period of
growth and a tiny seed sown too deeply soon expends
that energy and dies before it can reach the surface.
Starting your plants remotely from where they will
grow using a starter plug or propagation kit of some
kind can alleviate this problem. Another common cause
of germination failure is over or under watering.
Seeds need a supply of moisture and air in the medium
around them. Keeping the soil too wet drives out the
oxygen and the seed quickly rots, whereas insufficient
water causes the tender seedling to dry out and die.
A propagation
grow light can be extremely beneficial in getting
your plants started early for the outdoor season,
or for cloning and germination indoors year round.
Some growers like to give seed starts 24 hours of
light until the first true leaves appear, then switching
back to 18 hours. In reality, the plant is reacting
to the temperature and moisture more than the light
during germination, so photoperiod is not as vital
as it is during vegetative growth. If you are using
a humidity dome, it is a good idea to remove it daily
for a period of time to allow proper airflow into
your scenario.
If you are experiencing
a yellowing of the leaves it could be a lack of nutrient
if using an inert medium such as coir or perlite.
A rooting solution usually brings an element of fertilization,
effectively eliminating start starvation. At the least,
some diluted nutrient will do the trick.
Cloning
Cloning is asexual
reproduction
| Asexual
reproduction : In asexual reproduction
(gemmation, fission, etc.), the detached portions
of the organism develop into new individuals
without the intervention of other living matter. |
. By taking
a cutting of a plant and rooting it, the grower is
creating an exact genetic replica of that "mother"
plant
| Mother
plant : A superior plant that is kept
in the vegetative state in order to take cuttings
or clones from. When a mother plant is found
it is important to ensure maximum success rate
so as not to stress the mother plant with too
many cuttings. |
, i.e.
clone
| Clone
: A plant that has been produced through
asexual reproduction (i.e. cuttings, layering,
and tissue culture) and is an exact replica of
the "mother" plant. |
. The stigma
of human cloning does not apply to that of plants.
Almost everyone has experienced the ability of a plant
cutting to produce roots in a glass of water. Most
plants started by cloning will actually produce roots
from a cutting much faster than if allowed to mature
to corresponding size from seed, saving valuable time
as well as producing more reliable plants. Seeds are
like people, every one is different. When a strong
plant is recognized, the genetics of this plant can
be cloned to utilize the strength of the "mother"
plants. For this reason, most commercial growing operations
utilize cloning for continuous production.
In order to maintain
the viability of the "mother" plant, a proper
success rate needs to be maintained. It is a good
idea to use some form of rooting agent when taking
clones. A rooting agent is actually a hormone.
A hormone is a signal. When a cutting is taken from
a plant it's "brain" is receiving signals
from a
| Hormone
: Chemical substance that controls
the growth and development of a plant. A substance
produced by one tissue and conveyed by the bloodstream
to another to effect physiological activity
or regulate development, such as growth or metabolism.
Acts as a signal. |
vegetative growth hormone, not the root production
hormone. A rooting agent will send the signal to begin
root production. There are myriad forms of cloning
gels, powders, and solutions. PG recommends
a good gel (as opposed to powder) and solution when
cloning. The gel seals the cutting immediately reducing
the occurrence of transplant shock, embolisms, and
infection. The solution maintains a minimal fertilizer
presence and continues what the gel has started hormonally.
The idea being that if a gel is used and the grower
begins and continues feeding with straight water,
it dilutes the situation.
The epitome of
cloning is a cloning machine. Cloning machines deliver
less time to root development due to the high levels
of oxygen in the root zone and also eliminate domes,
plugs, gels, etc. actually paying for themselves over
time.
Basics of cloning:
- Select a branch
or stem that has at least 2 or 3 sets of leaves.
Locate a spot on the branch between, or next to,
a set of leaf nodes where your cut will be made
(leaf nodes are where the branches come out of the
stem). Leave at least one set of nodes above the
cut.
- Make a clean,
neat, 45-degree slice with a sharp blade. The 45-degree
angle ensures the most surface area for newly emerging
roots. Where you cut is where the roots come out.
With this in mind, it is a good idea to submerge
at least one severed node in your growing medium
or starter plug making sure to swab the entire exposure
with your rooting agent.
- Remove the
lower 1 or 2 sets of branches, leaving the upper
sets of leaves to be placed above the medium line.
Trim any flowers or buds that remain. Ideally a
cutting should be taken from a vegetatively growing
plant. Plants in flowering stage take longer to
root.
- To prevent
an air bubble (embolism
| Embolism
: Air bubbles can form in the vessels
that transport the water taken up through
the xylem towards the aboveground parts of
the plant after taking a clone and exposing
it to air for too long. This results in the
plant being unable to begin the process of
root development and subsequent death. A rooting
gel 9as opposed to powder) or taking a cutting
under water are two ways to help prevent embolism
and bolster success rate. |
) from
lodging in the stem, immediately place in a container
filled with rooting solution or dip in gel. At the
least, place immediately in water, or even take
your cutting under water. If not using a gel, transfer
quickly to rooting medium. Transfer time is not
as critical when using a gel for the gel will seal
the stem.
- Keep your
growing medium moist and warm for best results.
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