Propagation & Cloning
Cutting Selection & Source-Plant Health
A cutting begins with the physiological and health status of its source tissue. Node position, tissue maturity, hydration, pest or pathogen status, and source-plant history all influence what the propagule carries into rooting.
Key concepts
- A clone preserves the genotype of the source plant but not a guarantee of identical performance under different environments
- Source plants can transmit pests and systemic pathogens without obvious symptoms
- Very soft, very old, damaged, or stressed tissue can behave differently during rooting
- Lot identity should connect every cutting back to its source plant
What to measure or observe
- Record source plant ID and health status
- Inspect cutting tissue and nodes before removal
- Use magnification when arthropods are plausible
- Keep batches separated by source and date
Common mistakes
- Taking cuttings from unverified source material
- Mixing cuttings from different source plants under one label
- Assuming healthy appearance proves pathogen-free status
- Ignoring source-plant stress history
Visuals this lesson still needs
- Source-plant selection map
- Good-versus-poor cutting tissue comparison
- Cutting lot-traceability diagram
- Incoming health inspection plate