Annuals: Vegetative Propagation
Asexual propagation is a process where a
new plant is produced from plant parts: leaves,
stems, buds, or roots. This form of replication
produces plants or clones that are genetically
identical to the mother plant, from where the
plant part was taken. Asexual propagation of
floricultural crops has become a means of
producing many plants which were traditionally
grown from seed. Examples include coleus,
impatiens, strawflower, and verbena. Crops like
poinsettias (Figure 5) and chrysanthemums have
traditionally been propagated vegetatively.
Knowing how the vegetative propagation
industry has evolved is just as important as the
principles behind vegetative propagation. The
increasing use of vegetative cuttings for hanging
baskets, color bowls, and pots has led to an
integrated production and supply system today
that involves plant breeders, stock plant managers,
propagators, brokers, and growers.