Students will acquire a comprehensive knowledge
of the science of plant propagation including the effects of plant physiology reactions, anatomical structure, and environmental influences on material used in plant propagation.
Video introduction from the instructors
To Begin
Please read through the course syllabus, then go to the Schedule page of this site. The Schedule page will list everything you need to keep track of on a weekly basis. Most of the lecture content is contained in the Modules section of this site. Your quizzes, some homework assignments, and course communication tools are all located within the e-Learning system.
Syllabus
Undergraduate Syllabus
- 2024 Undergraduate Syllabus (.docx)
Graduate Syllabus
- 2024 Graduate Syllabus (.docx)
Plant Propagation 3223/5222 Schedule |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Module | Week | Instructor Lectures | Guest Lecture and Videos | Reading Assignment and Self Review | Canvas Assignments |
| 1 | 1 |
How Plant Propagation Evolved in Human Society, Part 1 How Plant Propagation Evolved in Human Society, Part 2 |
Read: Chapter 1 |
Post Your Bio:(5pts) Take Pre-course Survey:(5pts) |
|
| 1 | 2 |
Biology of Plant Propagation:
|
Lecture: D. Clark - How Genes Impact Plant Propagation |
Read: Chapter 2 |
|
| 1 | 3 |
The Propagation Environment |
Lecture: G. Giacomelli - Greenhouse Systems for Plant Production Lecture: A. Long - Pathogens in Plant Production Video: Drs. Wilson and Giacomelli - Knox Nursery, Winter Garden, FL: Environmental Control |
Read: Chapter 3 |
Quiz 1: (chapters 1-2) Timed, open book (10pts) |
| 2 | 4 |
Seed Development Principles and Practices of Seed Selection |
Video: D. Clark - Management and Record Keeping in a Plant Breeding Program Video: Freyre - Breeding Ornamental Plants Video: K. Bhattarai - Gerbera Hybridization |
Read: Chapters 4 and 5 |
|
| 2 | 5 |
Techniques of Seed Production and Handling |
Lecture: K. Moore - Techniques of Propagation by Seeds: Use of Plugs |
Read: Chapter 6 |
Quiz 2: (chapters 3-6) Timed, open book (10pts) |
| 2 | 6 |
Principles of Propagation from Seeds |
Lecture: B. Geneve - Physical Seed Dormancy Lecture: X. Li - Seed Priming |
Read: Chapter 7 |
Zoom 1: (5 pts) Monday Oct 5, 5:30-6:30pm EST Review and Discussion with Instructors |
| 2 | 7 |
Techniques of Propagation by Seed |
Video: Seedling production at Knox Nursery, Winter Garden, FL |
Read: Chapter 8 |
Exam 1: Chapters 4-8 Timed, open book (100pts) |
| 3 | 8 |
Principles and Practices of Clonal Selection |
Read: Chapter 9 |
||
| 3 | 9 |
Principles of Propagation by Cuttings Techniques of Propagation by Cuttings |
Lecture: J. Gibson - Stock Plant Management (parts 1 and 2) Video: F. Davies, Mack Thetford - How to a Select Cutting Material Video: P.J. Klinger - Tour of Lake Brantley Plant Co. Video: George Griffith - Tour of Hatchett Creek Farms Video: R. Schoellhorn - Production Scheduling and Inventory Control at Hatchett Creek Farms |
Read: Chapters 10 and 11 |
|
| 3 | 10 |
Principles of Grafting and Budding |
Read: Chapter 12 |
Quiz 3: Chapters 9-11 Timed, open book (10pts) |
|
| 3 | 11 |
Techniques of Grafting Techniques of Budding |
Video: J. Williamson - Demonstration of Budding and Grafting |
Read: Chapters 13 and 14 |
Zoom 2: (5 pts) Monday Nov 9 5:30-6:30 EST ZOOM Review and Discussion with Instructors |
| 3 | 12 |
Layering and Its Natural Modifications |
Read: Chapter 15 |
Exam 2: Chapters 9-14 Timed, open book (100pts) |
|
| 3 | 13 |
Propagation by Specialized Stems and Roots |
Read: Chapter 16 |
||
| 4 | 14 |
Principles and Techniques of Micropropagation from Meristematic Tissue |
Lecture: M. Kane Micropropagation Video: N. Phillman Demonstration of Micropropagation Sterile Technique |
Read: Chapter 17 |
Take Post-course Survey (10pts) |
| 4 | 15 |
Principles and Techniques of Plant Tissue Culture from Non-meristematic Tissue |
Lecture: W. Vendrame - Embryogenesis (20min) |
Read: Chapter 18 |
Zoom 3: (5 pts) Monday Dec 7 5:30-6:30 EST ZOOM Review and Discussion with Instructors |
| 16 |
Exam 3: Chapters 15-18 Timed, open book (100 pts) |
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Hi Class!
The following lab assignments are provided to serve as examples of the types of laboratory exercises you may undertake in your plant propagation lab course. The actual lab assignments for your site may differ.
Students may find these examples useful as they often outline objectives, demonstrate techniques, outline materials necessary to accomplish various propagation procedures, or summarize information from your lectures. Please refer to your syllabus from your local lab instructor to determine if these labs are a part of your semester assignments.
Module 1, General Aspects of Propagation
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Characteristics of Common Propagation substrates
- This lab is designed to introduce students to a variety of propagation substrates, demonstrate differences in water-holding capacity, porosity, and weight among common propagation substrates, demonstrate proper technique for selection, preparation and sticking of stem cuttings, and set up experiments to compare the effects of propagation substrates on rooting of herbaceous and woody cuttings.
- Experiment details will be designed by your local lab instructor.
- Substrates Video (.mp4)
- Substrates Handout (PDF)
- Substrates Video Transcript (PDF)
-
Evaluating the Rooting of Herbaceous and Woody Cuttings
- In addition to being introduced to common propagation substrates this lab will demonstrate the steps in evaluating rooted cuttings. We will cover procedures for cleaning the propagation substrate from the roots, data collection and common data calculations.
- Evaluation of Rooting (.mp4)
- Evalution of Rooting Handout (PDF)
- Evaluation of Rooting Video Transcript (PDF)
-
Supplemental data sets, summary tables and summary charts are provided for Coleus and Gardenia
- Coleus Propagation Lab
- Coleus Substrate Data Table Figure (PDF)
- Gardenia propagation lab
- Gardenia Substrate Table Figure (PDF)
Module 2, Seed Propagation
-
Fern Spore Germination
- This lab is designed to introduce students to the life cycle of ferns, demonstrate the appropriate use of terms to describe the morphological characteristics for describing the stages of fern development, demonstrate techniques for collection, cleaning, and sowing of fern spores, and provide alternative systems for fern spore germination in home or commercial settings.
- Fern Spore Germination Video (.mp4)
- Fern Spore Germination Handout (PDF)
- Fern Spore Germination Video Transcript (PDF)
- Fern Spore Germination Summary Handout (PDF)
- A brief experimental outline is provided for students to actively participate in fern spore germination.
- Supplemental videos are identified for students to review and prepare a short report that will compare/contrast the differences between the approaches to fern production.
-
Controlled Pollination
- This lab is designed to introduce students to the basic steps of controlled pollination, familiarize students with flower sexual reproductive structures, and demonstrate cross pollination and seed production techniques using petunia as the sample crop.
- Controlled Pollination Video (.mp4)
- Controlled Pollination Handout (PDF)
- Controlled Pollination Video Transcript (PDF)
-
Seed Collection, Cleaning, Grading & Storage
- This lab reviews criteria for determining what a mature fruit looks like on an unfamiliar plant species, reviews steps for collection of ripe fruits by fruit type, describes processes for cleaning seeds, discusses factors effecting seed storage potential and describes methods of seeds storage.
- Seed Collection, Cleaning, Grading & Storage (.mp4)
- Seed Collection, Cleaning, Grading & Storage Handout (PDF)
- Seed Collection, Cleaning, Grading & Storage Video Transcript (PDF)
- A laboratory exercise focuses on fruit harvest and seed cleaning utilizing photographs to compile a lab report.
-
Seed Imbibition and Scarification
- This lab will introduce the basic parts of a seed and introduces the process of imbibition. The role of seed scarification and methods of scarification will be discussed. Photos of seeds from scarification treatments will be provided to practice identification of imbibed seeds and calculation of imbibition to evaluate scarification treatments.
- Seed Imbibition and Scarification (.mp4)
- Seed Imbibition and Scarification Handout (PDF)
- Seed Imbibition and Scarification Video Transcript (PDF)
- A laboratory exercise provides an opportunity to evaluate imbibition and compare scarification treatments. Thought questions encourage further exploration of the topic and will assist the student in preparing a lab report.
-
Seed Viability Testing – Tetrazolium
- This lab will review the concept of seed viability, describe the steps for conducting TZ (Tetrazolium chloride) and rolled paper towel seed viability tests, and demonstrate how to read the results of viability tests.
- Seed Viability Testing – Tetrazolium (.mp4)
- Seed Viability Testing – Tetrazolium Handout (PDF)
- Seed Viability Testing – Tetrazolium Video Transcript (PDF)
- A laboratory exercise provides an opportunity for evaluating the results of a controlled experiment with a TZ seed viability test using photographs and a rolled towel test. Thought questions encourage consideration of which tests may be best suited for specific viability testing goals.
- Seed Viability Testing laboratory exercise (PDF)
-
Seed Testing – Temperature and Light
- This lab will introduce common approaches to seed germination tests and demonstrates how these tests may be used to understand factors affecting seed germination. It also reviews the steps necessary to obtain high quality seeds for testing and provides photographic examples of potential contaminants which may interfere with seed germination testing.
- Seed Testing – Temperature and Light (.mp4)
- Seed Testing – Temperature and Light Handout (PDF)
- Seed Testing – Temperature and Light Video Transcript (PDF)
- A laboratory exercise provides a data set from a seed germination experiment evaluating the effects of both light and temperature on germination. Thought questions require application of step by step instructions on the use of a pivot table and pivot chart to visualize and evaluate experiment results.
- Chrysopsis Data (.xlsx)
- Chrysopsis Data Figure (PDF)
- Chrysopsis Germination Test Methods (PDF)
Module 3, Vegetative Propagation
-
Collection and Care of Cuttings - Propagation of Herbaceous Cuttings
- This lab will introduce students to procedures for collection and care of cuttings. Additional information on the classification of herbaceous cuttings, differences among the various types of cuttings, and proper procedures for taking each type of cutting will be covered.
- Collection and Care of Cuttings - Herbaceous Cutting Types Video (.mp4)
- Collection and Care of Cuttings - Herbaceous Cutting Types Handout (PDF)
- Collection and Care of Cuttings - Herbaceous Cutting Types Video Transcript (PDF)
- A Herbaceous cutting lab exercise video with images of rooted cuttings is provided.
- Collection and Care of Cuttings - Herbaceous Cutting Lab Exercise Video (.mp4)
- Collection and Care of Cuttings - Herbaceous Cutting Lab Exercise Handout (PDF)
- Collection and Care of Cuttings - Herbaceous Cutting Lab Exercise Video Transcript (PDF)
-
Common Rooting Hormones – Methods of Auxin Application
- This lab will familiarize students with common types of rooting hormones, demonstrate procedures for stock solution preparation and dilution, present methods of auxin application and compare effects of auxin source, formulation and concentration on rooting characteristics (% rooting, mean root number, and mean root length of cuttings)
- Rooting Hormones Lab Exercise Video (.mp4)
- Rooting Hormones Lab Exercise Handout (PDF)
- Rooting Hormones Lab Exercise Video Transcript (PDF)
- A supplemental Gardenia stem cutting - auxin experimental video with a data set, summary table and figure and images of rooted cuttings are provided.
- Supplemental Gardenia Stem Cutting Experiment Video (.mp4)
- Supplemental Gardenia Stem Cutting Experiment Video Handout (pdf)
-
Propagation of Woody Stem Cuttings – Wounding and Auxin
- This lab will introduce students to classification of cuttings, the differences among the various types of woody stem cuttings, and present proper procedures for taking each type of cutting. The laboratory exercise will Familiarize students with reasons for wounding and degrees of wounding, demonstrate proper procedures for wounding stem cuttings, and evaluate the effects of heavy wounding and rooting hormone on the propagation of woody cuttings.
- Woody Stem Cuttings – Wounding and Auxin Video (.mp4)
- Woody Stem Cuttings – Wounding and Auxin Handout (PDF)
- Woody Stem Cuttings – Wounding and Auxin Video Transcript (PDF)
-
Propagation of Woody Stem Cuttings – Narrow-Leaved Evergreens
- This lab will familiarize students with special cutting types associated with narrow-leaved evergreens, demonstrate proper procedures for narrow-leaved evergreen stem cutting preparation, and the laboratory exercise will evaluate the effects of cutting type on the propagation of narrow-leaved evergreen cuttings.
- Woody Stem Cuttings – Narrow Leaved Evergreens Video (.mp4)
- Woody Stem Cuttings – Narrow Leaved Evergreens Handout (PDF)
- Woody Stem Cuttings – Narrow Leaved Evergreens Video Transcript (PDF)
-
Grafting and Budding
- This lab will introduce students to procedures for grafting dormant evergreen (Camellia) and deciduous (Japanese Maple) nursery crops.
-
Specialized Stems and Roots
- This will be a demonstration lab to introduce students to procedures for propagating nursery crops from bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes and simple division of crowns.
- Layering
- This will be a demonstration lab to introduce students to procedures for propagating woody plants (Camellia) using layering techniques.
- Air Layering of Camellia Demonstration Video (.mp4)
- Air Layering of Camellia Demonstration Lab Handout (PDF)
- Air Layering of Camellia Demonstration Video Transcript (.docx)
U.S. Greenhouse Production
| Greenhouse Video Topic | Arizona | Florida | Ohio | Vermont | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to State Industry | 2:25 | 1:48 | 1:56 | 1:26 | |
| Introduction to Specific Business | 3:50 | 1:09 | 7:16 | 3:37 | 4:29 |
| Structure | 6:09 | 3:57 | 4:14 | 4:57 | 8:20 |
| Sample Crop Cycle | 3:43 | 2:12 | 1:34 | 0:31 | 2:57 |
| Crop Nutrition | 2:04 | 1:35 | 3:24 | 1:24 | 2:43 |
| Pest Control Practices | 6:14 | 2:04 | 5:23 | 2:08 | 2:06 |
| Computer Use | 2:52 | 0:51 | 2:11 | 0:58 | |
| Labor Issues | 2:55 | 1:07 | 2:18 | 5:18 | 2:01 |
| Final Grower Comments | 4:34 | 3:24 | 6:52 | 7:12 | 5:25 |
| Starting A New Business | 1:43 | ||||
| Retail Goods | 2:20 | ||||
| Marketing | 6:45 | 7:44 | |||
| Environmental Concerns | 3:22 | ||||
| Hurricanes | 2:04 | ||||
| Heater Problem | 0:50 | ||||
| Containerized Media | 0:37 | ||||
| Grafting Tomatoes | 0:46 | ||||
| Interplanting Tomatoes | 0:52 | ||||
| Collaborating with Universities | 3:00 | ||||
| Final Remarks | 3:09 | ||||
 |
Dr. Sandy Wilson |
 |
Dr. Mack Thetford |
Educational Sites
- USDA - Plants Database
- Plant Propagation; An Overview of Asexual Reproduction
- USDA: Gardening
- Propagation of Landscape Plants
- UF – Landscape Plants: Propagation in the Nursery
- Landscape Plant Propagation Workbook: Unit I. General Principles of Plant Propagation
- Landscape Plant Propagation Workbook: Unit II. Propagation by Cuttings
- Landscape Plant Propagation Workbook: Unit III. Propagation by Seed
- Landscape Plant Propagation Workbook: Unit IV. Propagation by Division
- Palm Seed Germination
- UF – Landscape Plants
Tissue Culture
Grafting
- Budding & Grafting Citrus & Avocados in the Home Garden
- Budding, University of Missouri
- Bark Grafting, Mario Moratorio, Yolo/Solano Co. UCCE
- Grafting, University of Missouri
- Whip Grafting, Texas Agricultural Extension Service
Societies/Organizations
Commercial Sites
Individual/ Miscellaneous Sites
This site was designed to be viewable using any current web browser or computer with the required software installed. However due to the variety of multimedia types used to create the content, not all browsers can view all materials equally well.
Right now we are recommending Firefox for either Mac or Windows as the best option.
To view materials for this course you will also need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader, the Adobe Flash Player plug-in, and the Microsoft Silverlight plug-in.
All media file links are labeled in parenthesis with the type of application needed to play them.
Primary Lectures
- Sandra B. Wilson
- Mack Thetford
- Bart Schutzman
Guest Lectures
- David G. Clark
- Fred T. Davies
- Rosanna Freyre
- Gene A. Giacomelli
- James L. Gibson
- Michael Kane
- Kimberly A. Klock-Moore
- Cindy Li
- Amanda Long
- Richard K. Schoellhorn
- Wagner A. Vendrame
- Jeffrey G. Williamson
Lab Concepts
- Mack Thetford
- Kathryn Campbell
- Brett Williams
- Krishna Bhattarai (gerbera breeding)
- David Clark (breeding record keeping)
- Gabriel Campbell
PropG Web Application
- Robert Geneve
- Sandra Wilson
- Fred T. Davies
- Aaron Sotala
Angiosperm Life Cycle
- Sandy Wilson
- Doug Johnson
Self Review Quizzes
- Keona Nolan
- Kristen Wald
Website & e-Learning Development
- Aaron Sotala
- Lisa Hightower