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.