Cutting Propagation

There are 8 lessons in this course:

1. Introduction.
2. Stem cuttings.
3. Non-stem cuttings.
4. Materials and equipment.
5. Growing media.
6. Factors affecting rooting.
7. Setting up a propagation area.
8. Management of cutting crops. Estimating cost of production; Keeping records, etc.

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

• To familiarise the student with the principles of propagating plants by cuttings
• To develop an understanding of how to propagate plants from stem cuttings
• To develop an understanding of how to propagate plants from non-stem cuttings
• To develop an understanding of the materials and equipment used for propagating plants from stems
• To understand the principles of growing media in relation to cutting propagation
• To understand how and why cuttings form roots. To learn how to manipulate the formation of roots on cuttings
• To understand the principles for establishing successful plant propagation areas
• To understand the principles of nursery crop scheduling

• Establish an area near where you live that can be used for the raising of cuttings.
• Select ten different plants that can be grown by stem cuttings. Practice preparing different types of cuttings until you feel you can do this well.
• Place samples of your cuttings in a propagating mix and place in the propagation area. Keep the mix moist and observe the behaviour of the cuttings. (eg. does it put on new leaves? Do changes in temperature effect growth? Do any cuttings die? etc. )
• Prepare leaf cuttings for five different plant species. Practice doing this until you feel you can do this well.
• Prepare root cuttings for five different plant species. Practice doing this until you feel you can do this well.
• Prepare bulb cuttings for five different plant species. Practice doing this until you feel you can do this well.
• Place samples of cuttings in a propagating mix.
• Visit three plant propagation nurseries and see if you can find out where they obtain their propagation material.