Growing plants artificially
or
Artificial propagation
In this work we will be looking at the some of
the different methods that humans use to
increase the number of plants artificially
At the end of the work you should
• have had practical experience in growing
plants artificially
• have knowledge of a number of methods
to grow plants artificially
• be able to explain how and why plants are
grown artificially
Artificial propagation
Artificial propagation is used to increase
the number of plants using ways that
plants cannot naturally use
Artificial propagation makes use of the
facts that plants have growing points and
under the right conditions these points
can be wounded and this will encourage the
plant to grow either new roots or leaves
The growing points in plants
Naturally plants grow at specific points.
These are root and shoots tips
But they also include buds, nodes and stems
These can be used to grow plants artificially
The growing points in plants
shoot tip
bud
node
side branch
stem
leaf stalk
root tip
Cuttings
Cuttings can be used to artificially propagate
plants.
These include stem and leaf cuttings.
Stem cuttings can be taken from plants
like geranium or wandering sailor
Leaf cuttings can be taken from plants
like Begonia or African violet
Taking stem cuttings
• The stem is cut just below a node.
• The lower leaves are removed to
prevent water loss
• The cutting is placed in water or compost
to produce roots
Your teacher will now demonstrate this
Leaf cutting
The leaf is removed from
the plant and
placed on compost.
The leaf will begin to grow
roots and eventually
becomes a new plant
identical to the parent.
Plants produced naturally by asexual
reproduction or artificially by leaf or stem
cuttings will be clones of their parents.
What does this mean?
How might being a clone effect the offspring?
Care of plants
When growing plants what are some
important factors to control?
How might these factors be controlled
when growing plants using artificial
propagation techniques ?
Controlling temperature
•
•
•
•
Heaters controlled by thermostats are
used to provide warmth
Warmth encourages root and
shoot growth
Care must be taken not to dry the
plants out too much
Warmth can also encourage diseases
like fungi, when combined with moisture
Reducing water loss
In artificial propagation it is important to
control water loss from the new plant
This can be done by:
• Removing lower leaves on cuttings
• Covering the new plants with a plastic bag
• Putting the new plants in a propagator
• Using misting sprays
Quiz
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
What is a node?
Where should a cutting be taken?
Why are the lower leaves removed?
Why are the upper leaves and buds left?
Why keep cuttings in the shade not full sun?
Why keep cuttings suitably moist and warm?
What is a disadvantage of too much
warmth and moisture?
8. Name some plants that can be artificially
propagated using cuttings.