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Division and Layering

DIVISION || LAYERING

VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION BY DIVISION

Some plants have fleshy roots or stems that can be cut into sections, so that a new plant grows from each section. This is called division. These stems and roots have special names.

The crown of some plants is the part near the surface of the ground from which new shoots come. When the clump gets large, it can be cut apart. Examples include: day lily, phlox, peony, and rhubarb.

Rhizomes are underground stems. Examples include: lily-of-the-valley and bearded iris.

Tubers, like Irish potatoes or kumara, are swollen, underground stems that store food.


A well known and often eaten tuber!

Roots like dahlia store food too.

Each of these is treated differently. Finding out their unique requirements can be fun!

 

VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION BY LAYERING

Layering is a method of making roots develop on a stem while it is still attached to the parent plant. After roots form, it can be cut free and planted. Layering usually works best in spring or late summer. There are many different methods of layering.

In simple layering, a low branch is bent to the ground and buried, except for the tip. Wounding the branch helps roots to form. Do this by cutting part-way through the part that will be buried. Examples of plants you can do this with include: cotoneaster, forsythia, quince, and some roses.

Air layering is used on rubber plants and other indoor woody plants. Wound the stem, or remove a ring of bark, about 30cm from a branch tip. Wrap the place with damp sphagnum moss. Tape plastic around this to keep it in place. Keep the moss moist. Roots should form in a few weeks to several months. When they form, cut off the stem below the roots and plant.


What kind of propagation do you think they would be using in this shade house?

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