For a consistent supply of
cutting material, it is beneficial to have a dedicated plant for this role.
These are often termed 'mother' or 'donor' plants.
Donors must provide strong and healthy
‘vegetative’ growth. The quality of the cutting material will have a
significant effect on the performance of the plants grown from its cuttings.
Therefore, ensure the following:
1. Diseases: Cuttings taken
from a diseased donor plant will most likely be contaminated, even if the
actual cutting material appears disease-free. Hence the donor should
be maintained to prevent disease
ingress. In particular, because the donor plant usually needs to
be kept for a longer time period than other plants, the nutrient solution
should be regularly dosed with Pythoff.
2. Pests:
Pests can weaken the
cutting material and increase the risk of disease ingress. Therefore inspect
regularly for pests. Yellow sticky traps are useful as a forewarning.
3. Light: Where the donor is grown
under artificial light, “blue” light
should be used for at least 18 hours* per day. This will promote vegetative
growth and help keep the donor in the vegetative phase. Blue CFL’s are
suitable, however,
ensure the light is used effectively by shaping the
plant so that the foliage is as close to the lamp as possible. Further,
where possible, rotate the plant periodically to help produce even growth.
Use a 250-400W MH lamp if the CFL produces
insufficient cutting material.
*Some growers find it more convenient and
/or beneficial to run lights 24 hours per day.
4. Rooting potential: Find a
donor that produces cuttings that root easily. Even plants of the same genus
can have rooting speeds that vary widely.
5. Shaping/Prune:
Shape the plant so that multiple stems are
created. A bushy plant will use light more efficiently and produce
more cutting material (Fig 11.9).
6. Dead leaves: Always
remove any dead leaves. These are an ideal host for disease or pests.
7. Fertilizer: Use a complete
‘grow’ formulation and maintain
EC and pH
at the optimum levels for the medium being used. Where the nutrient is being
recirculated, ensure to dump and replace the
nutrient regularly.
8. Humidity and temperature:
Maintain RH at 50-70% and day-time air temperature at ~25oC/77oF.
9. Pot size: An
‘under-sized’ pot will cause the donor to become root-bound. This can
inhibit growth dramatically.
How long will the donor plant last?
Do not expect the donor plant to last forever.
Even if it remains healthy, many growers notice that the rooting speed
and/or general performance of its cuttings can diminish with time.
[Growers Guide Main Index]
Related topics
"Plant
propagation":
Cuttings (clones) |
Seedlings |
Mother (Donor) Plants
Transplanting
cuttings & seedlings |
Mediums (substrates)
for cuttings & seedlings
