One of the most exciting projects that agardener can undertake is to propagate hisown plants. Few experiences can match thethrill and awe felt by a gardener who hassuccessfully germinated an even crop ofbedding plant seedlings or a particularlydifficult woody plant seed, or who hasmanaged to root a cutting or unite twografted parts of a plant.Plant propagation has been practiced eversince early man abandoned his itinerant lifeand settled down on the land, where hestarted to grow his own food. The techniquesof vegetative propagation developed in suchancient civilizations as those of the Babylonians and the Chinese are still relevant andin use in the twentieth century.
Using this book
The object of this book is to try to presentsome of the basic facts on which successfulplant propagation is founded, so that thegardener wishing to venture into this fieldwill find the elementary principles explainedand will then only have to learn theirapplication from experience.It is not intended that this book will be acomplete answer—it can only be a guide.Inevitably, some techniques of plant propagation have not been included either becausethey are too complicated or because they donot always produce satisfactory results. Vegetables have not been included as they aregiven detailed coverage in a companionvolume,
Vegetables.
However, a comprehensive range of techniques is described so thatthe gardener can propagate most plants,either from seed or vegetatively.The gardener can discover the way topropagate more than 700 genera of plants byreferring to the index at the back of the book,where the appropriate method is listed. A fewplants, such as rhododendrons, have beendealt with in detail, and so have a page tothemselves, because there are several equallysatisfactory ways to propagate them.
How this book is arranged
The concept and approach in this book isentirely my own, based on my experiencegained over the past 20 years evolvingdifferent systems of plant propagation andteaching both horticultural students andamateur gardeners.My aim has been to try to present propagation techniques in their logical sequence,in seven separate sections. For example, I haveplaced layering in the same section as stemcuttings as they are both ways of inducingroots on a stem. Until now, plant propagationhas often been presented in a confusingmanner: root, stem and leaf cuttings havefrequently been lumped together, whenlogically there is little or no relationshipbetween them.The book starts with a glossary of propagation terms that the gardener may not know.Although the main text is written in a nontechnical style, some technical terms haveinevitably been included, and it is to theglossary that the gardener should refer if heis puzzled by the use of a certain word.The section on tools and equipment isessential reading before the gardener sets outto do any propagating. Here he will findexplained the importance of cold frames,propagators, mist units, etc., and he willdiscover tips on how to select suitable potsand seed trays from the bewildering arraythat is available. The correct use of composts,fertilizers and rooting hormones is also discussed, and he will learn how to tackle theubiquitous problems of pests and diseases.The section on propagating from seeds isdivided into two parts: seeds in general, andtree and shrub seeds, where the problems ofdormancy are explained. The information onhow to collect, store and germinate variouskinds of seeds and how to look after seedlingsis of vital importance to any gardener.The book then presents a wide range ofways to propagate vegetatively. It starts witha section on roots and progresses through tosections on modified stems, stems and leaves.The last section gives full details on graftingand budding techniques, and there is acomprehensive index at the back of the book.
Dispelling the mystique
The practice of plant propagation is inclinedto be surrounded by a certain mystique,despite the enlightened modern tendency toshare knowledge. The "art" of plant propagation and the possession of "green" fingersare not magical powers confined to a fewfortunate gardeners; plant propagation is anentirely rational and logical technique, which,if practiced with knowledge and understanding, can be relatively simple and easy.Undoubtedly some people do seem capableof conjuring success without any basic knowledge and of carrying out the various operations instinctively, but these people have,perhaps by subconscious observation, notedcorrect conditions and timing. The gardenerwho is gifted with "green" fingers is notdissimilar to the person who is "good" withanimals or who has the capability to lead orinfluence other people. It is simply the resultof an innate ability to observe particularconditions.Nothing, however, can supersede the valueof real knowledge and understanding that thegardener needs when propagating a plant.Only once he is fully versed in the basicpropagating techniques can he hope to bereally successful.Although plant propagation is completelylogical and explainable, some gardeners aredefinitely more successful than others; andit is here that the "art" of plant propagationcannot be discounted. The "art" is in interpreting information: it is possible to define thestate of plant materials, the condition ofplants or the effect of a particular environment, but success derives from being able totransfer this knowledge into practice andinterpret these aspects in relation to asituation that is continually, but often almostimperceptibly, changing.
The many phases of plant propagation
The actual process of propagation is only oneof many phases in the production of a plant.The other phases are selecting suitableplant material; preparing it so it has a highcapacity to regenerate; then providing suitable conditions in which the plant materialcan regenerate; and ensuring its survival untilthe final phase of establishing the plantmaterial as an integrated, self-supporting newplant.
Selecting suitable plant material
Often the most overlooked, but one of themost significant, phases is the considerationand choice of suitable material from whichto propagate. It is well worth the extra timeand effort to assess the available plantmaterial critically so that the best selectionis chosen, and new plants are not producedfrom inferior stock. Only the best forms andselections of a plant should be earmarked forpropagation, and they must always be fromhealthy stock, free from virus infections.Many plants, more especially the older andpopular selections, will have deviated fromthe normal to some extent. Despite theirvarietal name, they may differ quite considerably and will exist in several clones, sobear this in mind when choosing plantmaterial for propagation.Another limitation that should be considered if propagating by vegetative methodsis that the capacity of the plant to regeneratewill be affected by the age of the cutting andits parent plant, as well as the age of thevariety from which it is taken.Plant material of the current year's growthwill regenerate more readily than oldermaterial, and the highest rooting responsewill be found in a plant that is juvenile, i.e.immature and unable to produce flowers orfruit. As soon as a seed germinates andproduces a juvenile plant, it begins to "age"and its capacity to regenerate starts todecline. Most plants subsequently enter amature phase when their regenerative abilities continue to decline. Old plants and oldervarieties will exhibit very low levels ofresponse. Pruning or forcing a plant will onlyrecover a little of this capacity to regenerate.Thus the gardener must be prepared toaccept that old and very old plants andvarieties will be difficult to propagate. Forexample, a deciduous azalea, of the Exburytype, which was germinated from seed onlyabout 40 years ago, will be much easier topropagate than a Ghent azalea, which wouldhave been originated over 140 years ago. It isimportant to realize this distinction, and thatall plants derived from one selected formmust, physiologically, be the same age,regardless of when they were vegetativelypropagated.
Preparing the plant material
Having chosen the most desirable forms, thenext phase is to prepare the material so that,when the time comes for propagation, it willpossess its maximum capacity to regenerate.Such preparation of highly regenerativematerial can be done by growing techniquessuch as pruning, feeding and watering, or byforcing the plant in a warmer environmentthan normal.
Providing suitable conditions forregeneration
Next, it is necessary to stimulate this plantmaterial to regenerate as a new plant byencouraging the processes that cause thedevelopment of a new and complete plant.This can be done by placing the plant materialin a suitably controlled environment, such asa cold frame or propagator. This will not onlyspeed up regeneration but also lessen thechances of the plant material dying fromrotting, disease or exhausted food reserves.A stem, for example, can also be encouragedto produce roots by dipping it in a rootinghormone or wounding it toward its base.The ability of plant material to regenerateis also influenced by the different seasons.Always, therefore, propagate a plant duringthe season recommended by this book.
Ensuring its survival
Once the plant material is in its propagatingenvironment, it is vital to ensure its survivaluntil it becomes established.The only way to do this is by maintainingabsolute hygiene in the propagating environment and by thoroughly cleaning all toolsand equipment. Also, treat the plant materialwith a fungicide such as Captan or Benlate,and protect it with a general or specificpesticide. The shorter this survival period theless time there is for things to go wrong.
Establishing the new plant
As soon as the plant material has regenerated,the last phase in successful propagation is theestablishment of this young material as anintegrated, self-supporting new plant. Whenany cutting, such as a leaf or stem, is taken,the new parts that are required to form acomplete new plant will need time to becomefully integrated with the original cutting. Justbecause a stem cutting produces roots doesnot imply a new plant—both systems mustgrow sympathetically so that a balanced andintegrated growth is achieved. It is oftenrelatively simple to persuade a cutting toregenerate a missing part, but it is moredifficult to establish the plant material. Thishas to be done by weaning it from its protected environment and hardening it off untilit is a self-supporting individual that can growhappily in a normal environment, whetherthis is indoors or outdoors. This is often thehardest part of plant propagation.
The path of success
Provided the gardener uses this book tounderstand the principles and basic practicaltasks of plant propagation and then followshis judgment in relation to a particular plant,he can always approach propagation withconfidence. It is this last factor that underliesall aspects of successful propagation.
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