Plant reproduction Vegetative propagation is a fascinating world that not only allows you to preserve your favorite specimens, but also to multiply those species that best adapt to your space. Many plants use mechanisms such as suckers, rhizomes, stolons, cuttings or division of bushes, creating identical copies of the mother plant in a simple and effective way.
What are suckers and why do many plants produce them?
Los young They are small seedlings or shoots that emerge at the base or around the parent plant. These suckers share roots or stems with the main plant and, when they reach a certain size, can be separated and planted independently, ensuring successful multiplication. The formation of suckers is typical in families such as Bromeliads, succulents (such as echeveria, aloe, or agave), ribbons, and yuccasTo learn more about the different forms of reproduction, you can visit plant reproduction.
Main methods of vegetative reproduction
- Mata Division: Separate an adult plant with several shoots at the base manually or with a sharp tool, ensuring that each division has its own roots. This works well for species such as aglaonema, anthurium, aspidistra, calathea, ribbon flower, maidenhair fern, peace lily, phytonia, maranta, papyrus, and saintpaulia.
- Separation of suckers: It consists of extracting the shoots formed at the base of the mother plant (for example aloe, bromeliads, agave, clivia, cactus, yucca or pineapple) and planting them independently.
- Reproduction by stolonsSome trailing stems (such as those of the ribbon fern or Nephrolepis fern) produce new plants at each node when they touch the substrate. These can be cut and planted once they develop roots.
- Leaf embryos: In species such as Kalanchoe daigremontiana, new plantlets emerge directly from the edges of the leaves and can be cultivated once roots have formed.
- Cuttings: Propagation by fragments (stem, leaf or root) is very versatile and adapts to both woody plants and ornamental and fruit trees.
List of plants that can be reproduced by suckers and other techniques
- bromeliads, agave, aloe, pineapple y clivia They usually produce suckers at the base. For more information on this method, see asexual reproduction in plants.
- Succulent such as echeveria, kalanchoes and sedum produce suckers or multiply easily by leaf.
- Tape (Chlorophytum comosum), Nephrolepis fern y Saxifrage They spread by stolons, like some geraniums and strawberries.
- Calatheas, aspidistra, papyrus, fitonia y Marante They reproduce very well by division of the bush or rhizomes.
- Sansevieria, adam rib y philodendron They can be multiplied by leaf or stem cuttings, easily in water or substrate.
- Some ornamental and fruit plants such as roses, fig trees, vines, currants, blueberries, citrus fruits, quince trees, apple trees, pear trees and olive trees also reproduce by woody cuttings.
How to separate and plant seedlings correctly
- Wait for the right moment: Ideally, the suckers should be separated when the plant is in the active growth phase and the shoots already have their own roots or have reached a size sufficient to survive on their own.
- Prepare the tools: Use a disinfected knife or scissors to avoid infection. Make clean cuts near the base, minimizing damage.
- Let it heal: For succulents, allow the wound to heal and dry for a few days before planting in new soil.
- Transplant into a suitable pot: Place the offspring in a container with fresh, well-draining soil and water lightly. Avoid overwatering the first time you water.
- Location and care: Protect the new seedling from direct sunlight and keep the substrate moist but not waterlogged until it shows signs of growth.
Variety of vegetative methods: cuttings, stolons, division and more
Multiplication by cuttings It involves cutting and planting stem, leaf, or root fragments, stimulating the formation of new roots. This is how many ornamental, fruit, aromatic, and succulent species are propagated. Among the most notable species that reproduce by cuttings are:
Mint, basil, spearmint, tomato, jasmine, bougainvillea, pomegranate, quince, abelia, lavender, hydrangea, boxwood, camellia, lilac and honeysuckle.
La kill division It's perfect for plants with several shoots at the base, such as calatheas or marantas. Simply separate the plant into smaller parts, each with roots, and repot them individually. The goal is for each portion to have enough root system to adapt.
By stolonsPlants like the stalk and saxifrage grow trailing stems that, when they touch the soil, take root and give rise to new plants. You can train them to a new pot without cutting the runner, separating it only once you see root and new leaf growth.
The technique of leaf embryos, although less frequent, is very curious, as occurs in Kalanchoe daigremontiana, whose leaves generate new seedlings that can be collected and planted, always ensuring constant humidity until they take root.
Care and tricks for successful reproduction
- Always use fresh and aerated substrates to promote the emergence of roots and prevent diseases.
- Always disinfect your tools cutting and makes clean cuts to reduce the risk of infection.
- Avoid overwatering after propagation, especially in succulents, cacti and sensitive plants.
- Protect new specimens from direct sunlight and strong currents. until they are well rooted.
