Plant Propagation

Start Date

05/19/2021

End Date

05/26/2021

Description

Save money and increase your garden plants through simple propagation techniques using seeds, cuttings, and divisions. Review the ethics of wild collected seed and learn the basics of seed biology, germination, and storage. Study the principles of asexual plant reproduction; learn proper techniques for preparing and rooting cuttings; and determine when and how to divide plants.

Day 1
Seed Biology, Collection, Storage and Starting Techniques
9:45 – 10:00 am: Class Registration
10:00 – 11:00 am: Basic Seed Biology PowerPoint Presentation
•What is a seed?
•Benefits/drawbacks of sexual reproduction
•Different kinds of seeds and strategies they utilize
•Germination process
Seed Collection
•Timing
•How
•Where
•Which seeds
•Label
•Ethics of collecting; legal ramifications
11:00 – 12:00 pm: Cleaning Seed Demonstration and Hands On Activity
•“Wet” seed
•“Dry” seed
•Cut test
•Float test
•Tools
11:30 – 12:00 pm: Seed Storage
•Hydrophilic – moist storage
•Dry
•Cold
12:00 – 12:30 pm: Lunch
12:30 – 230 pm: PowerPoint Presentation (Continued)
Seed Starting Techniques Demonstration
•Natural/Artificial
•Stratification
•Scarification
•Light/dark
Clean and Sow Seed
2:30 pm: Class Dismissal

Day 2
Asexual Propagation Techniques
9:45 – 10:00 am: Class Registration
10:00 – 12:00 pm: Lecture/Discussion: Asexual Propagation Techniques
•What is asexual reproduction?
•Different types of asexual reproduction
•Basic biology of asexual reproduction
•Plant parts usually utilized in asexual reproduction
Cuttings:
•Types of cuttings
•Collecting, condition of cuttings and mother plant; juvenility
•Timing
•Sanitation
•Rooting media
•Use of rooting hormones
•Environmental conditions
12:00 – 12:30 pm: Lunch
12:30 – 1:00 pm: Hands-On Activity Transplanting Seedlings
•How to handle seedlings
•Hardening off process
1:00 – 2:25 pm: Hands-On Activity
Take and stick cuttings
2:25 – 2:30 pm: Class Evaluations and Class Dismissal

Location

Hockessin, DE

Distance Learning

Course Equivalency

Subjects

Horticulture / Plants

Health, Safety and Welfare

Yes

Hours

8.0

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand the biology of seeds, how to collect seeds and storage techniques.
2. Learn several seed starting techniques and how to transplant seedlings.
3. Know the difference between sexual and asexual reproduction and the basic biology of each.
4. Understand the basic components of making cuttings and dividing plants.

Instructors

Shelby French; James Rockwell

Course Codes

GAR 310

Provider

Mt. Cuba Center