Asexual Propagation in Plants

Students learn about asexual plant propagation by taking cuttings from stock plants, rooting them in water or soil, and comparing their growth. The activity demonstrates how new plants can be cloned from parent plants without seeds.

1. Gather materials: stock plants (such as coleus, pothos, begonias, geraniums, or wandering jew), scissors, clean bottles, water, and moist soilless mix.
2. Prepare two bottles for each student: one filled with water (“the vase”), and one with moistened soilless mix (“the pot”).
3. Use clean scissors to cut two stem cuttings, each 4–6 inches long with at least four leaves. Remove the bottom leaves.
4. Place one cutting into the vase with water (ensuring a node is submerged) and the other into the potting mix (with at least one node below the surface).
5. Keep the soil moist and water levels consistent. Mist or tent the cuttings to maintain humidity.
6. Monitor growth daily. Record when roots appear and measure root number, length, and mass after 2–3 weeks.
7. Compare root growth between water-grown and soil-grown cuttings.
8. Summarize findings and discuss conclusions about root development and plant propagation.

Asexual Reproduction in Plants (Bulbs, Runners, Tubers) - Justin Firenze:

📄 Make New Plants and Keep the Old (Asexual Propagation) - Kids Gardening: https://kidsgardening.org/resources/lesson-plans-asexual-propagation/

• Test the effect of light on root growth by covering some pots or vases with dark paper.
• Try different plant species to see which propagate best.
• Explore other propagation methods, such as division or layering.
• Visit a nursery or invite a grower to demonstrate professional propagation techniques.

• Adults should cut the tops off plastic bottles.
• Use clean, sharp scissors carefully to avoid injury.
• Wash hands after handling soil or plant material.
• Dispose of plant material responsibly.

• What is asexual propagation? (A way to make new plants from cuttings or divisions without seeds or pollination.)
• How are plants propagated by cuttings different from those grown by seeds? (They are clones, genetically identical to the parent plant.)
• Why is it important to use clean scissors and sterile soil when making cuttings? (To reduce the risk of infections and rot.)
• Did cuttings grow roots faster in water or soil? Why might that be?
• How does humidity affect the success of cuttings? (Higher humidity prevents cuttings from drying out before roots develop.)
• What are some advantages and disadvantages of asexual propagation compared to seed propagation? (Advantages: fast, identical offspring. Disadvantages: less genetic diversity, higher risk of disease spread.)
• How is plant propagation important in agriculture and gardening? (It allows growers to reproduce desirable plants reliably and on a large scale.)