PLANTLETS

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PLANTLETS

• Intermediate 1 Biology

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INTRODUCTION

• A plantlet is a tiny version of a plant still
  attached somewhere to its parent plant
• The plantlets obtain food from the parent plant
  until they are established

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OBTAINING PLANTLETS

• Plantlets can be obtained by different methods
• 1. production of plantlets from runners
• 2. production of leaf plantlets
• 3. production of plantlets from offsets

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1. PRODUCTION OF PLANTLETS FROM RUNNERS

• Some types of plants produce plantlets at the end
  of horizontal stems called runners.

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Spider plant
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METHOD OF OBTANING PLANTLETS FROM RUNNERS

• The plantlet can be pegged down into a small
  pot of compost using wire
• When the roots are established, the runner is cut
  close to the new plant and the wire removed

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PRODUCTION OF PLANTLETS FROM RUNNERS
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2. PRODUCTION OF LEAF PLANTLETS

• Some types of plant develop plantlets on the
  edges of mature leaves
• These can be detached from the leaf and grown in
  small pots of compost
• An example of this is the Mexican Hat plant

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Mexican Hat Plant
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• In other plants, a plantlet develops at the base
  of each mature leaf where it meets the leaf
  stalk.
• An example of this is the Piggy-Back plant

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Piggyback Plant
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3. PRODUCTION OF PLANTLETS FROM OFFSETS

• An offset is a tiny plantlet that develops as a
  side shoot at the base of the parent plant
• Sometimes different offsets are produced and
  these then form a clump at the base of the parent
  plant
• An example of this is the Mother-in-laws Tongue
  plant

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Mother-In-Laws Tongue Plant
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METHODS OF PROPAGATING OFFSETS

• A plant with offsets can be propagated by
  division
• This means separating the offsets from the
  parent, normally using a sharp knife
• The offsets can then be planted in new locations

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Offsets of Mother-In-Laws Tongue
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Advantages of Vegetative Propagation

• Exact copies of parent plants can be produced in
  most cases
• Often simple and relatively quick
• Large plants can sometimes be produced in a short
  period of time
• Good quality and uniformity among plants produced

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Disadvantages of Vegetative Propagation

• All offspring share common susceptibility to
  disease
• Not suitable if variation is desired

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