Process of creating new plants from a variety of sources: seeds, cuttings, bulbs and other plant parts. Plant propagation can also refer to the artificial or natural dispersal of plants.

Plant propagation

Use of seed or spore that is separated from the parent plant. This method is so termed "sexual" because there is the involvement of the sexes, referring to the contribution of both the male and female gametes in the production of new plants.  

Sexual propagation

Seed dispersal is the movement or transport of seeds away from the parent plant. Plants have very limited mobility and consequently rely upon a variety of dispersal vectors to transport their propagules.

Wind dispersalSeeds from plants like dandelions, swan plants and cottonwood trees are light and have feathery bristles and can be carried long distances by the wind.

Water dispersalMany plants have seeds that use water as a means of dispersal. The seeds float away from the parent plant.

Animal dispersalOver 70% of plants in our woody forests have fleshy fruit that is eaten by birds. Birds often fly far away from the parent plant and disperse the seeds in their droppings. Some seeds have hooks, barbs or sticky seeds that catch onto an animal’s fur, feathers or skin.

ExplosionsThis method of seed dispersal isn’t quite as exciting as it may sound. Some plants, like peas, gorse and flax, have seedpods that dry out once the seeds are ripe. When dry, the pods split open and the seeds scatter

FirePlants cannot run away from a fire so some plants have developed a way to help their seeds survive. There are some species of pine tree that require the heat from a fire before their cones will open and release seeds

Also called vegetative propagation, is with the use of planting materials which are vegetative parts of any plant rather than seeds or spores which are reproductive parts. In most techniques, the propagate is separated first from the parent plant and treated to induce regeneration or otherwise directly planted.

Asexual propagation

Air or ground layeringDivisionGrafting and bud grafting, widely used in fruit tree propagationMicropropagationStolons or runnersStorage organs such as bulbs, corms, tubers and rhizomesStriking or cuttingsTwin-scalingOffsets

Techniques for vegetative propagation include:

Air or ground layering:Layering is a means of plant propagation in which a portion of an aerial stem grows roots while still attached to the parent plant and then detaches as an independent plant. 

Division:Plant (usually an herbaceous perennial) is broken up into two or more parts. Both the root and crown of each part is kept intact.

Grafting and bud grafting: Whereby tissues from one plant are inserted into those of another so that the two sets of vascular tissues may join together. 

Micropropagation:Practice of rapidly multiplying stock plant material to produce a large number of progeny plants, using modern plant tissue culture methods. Is used to multiply plants  genetically modified or bred through conventional plant breeding methods

Stolons or runnersHorizontal connections between organisms. They may be part of the organism, or of its skeleton; typically, animal stolons are external skeletons.

Storage Organ:Part of a plant specifically modified for storage of energy (generally in the form of carbohydrates) or water. Storage organs often grow underground.

Striking or cuttings:A piece of the stem or root of the source plant is placed in a suitable medium such as moist soil, potting mix, coir or rock wool. The cutting produces new roots, stems and becomes a new plant independent of the parent.

Twin-scalingIncrease bulbs that would naturally propagate very slowly, or to speed up the production of desirable cultivars. Using twin-scaling it is possible to multiply one bulb into 16 to 32 (or more) viable bulbs.

OffsetsVirtually complete daughter plant that has been naturally and asexually produced on the mother plant. They are clones, meaning that they are genetically identical to the mother plant.

A heated propagator is a horticultural device to maintain a warm and damp environment for seeds and cuttings to grow in.

An electric seed-propagation mat is a heated rubber mat covered by a metal cage which is used in gardening.

Others way used to propagate a plant or introducing plants to the soil:

•Transplanting

•Direct seeding

Tools and Implements

A transplanter is an agricultural machine used for transplanting seedlings to the field.

Grow bags also called Smart Pots. Grow Bags allow for portable container gardening. Porous fabric allows heat to dissipate and excess water to evaporate as well as air-prunes the roots

A seed drill is a sowing device that precisely positions seeds in the soil and then covers them. Before the introduction of the seed drill, the common practice was to plant seeds by hand.

Seed trays are used for propagating vegetables and flowers and other plants from seed.  They are also used for taking plant cuttings. Used in horticulture for sowing and taking plant cuttings and growing plugs

A seedbed or seedling bed is the local soil environment in which seeds are plants. Seeds grow in a controlled environment into larger young plants before transplanting them into a garden or field. A seedling bed is used to increase the number of seeds that germinate.

Nurseries are areas where plants are grown for transplanting, for use as stocks for budding and grafting, or for sale. Plants can grow in tins, in the soil or in pots

Pruning shears, also called hand pruners (in American English), or secateurs, are a type of scissors for use on plants. 

A hedge trimmer, shrub trimmer, or bush trimmer, is a gardening tool or machine used for trimming (cutting, pruning)hedges or solitary shrubs (bushes). 

Grafting scissors are required to cut the parts we will be grafted as branches, twigs or stems.

Grafting tape made of vinyl is used to protect and hold grafts until the organic binding occurs and the wounds heal

Grafting knife is similar and has the same design of a knife. Ideal for all cuts and incisions necessary to perform the graft, for example, on a log or cutting.

Sealing vegetable paste is always applied on wounds to prevent graft infections in the plant and thus hinder growth and the union of the two parts.

Whetstone You should always have on hand to sharpen some of the above tools should be kept in perfect working order so that the graft is completed correctly and easily.