Propagation & Cloning
Propagation Batch Metrics & Rooting Success
Propagation performance is more informative when measured by batch and time rather than described as simply successful or unsuccessful. Rooting percentage, time to first roots, losses, abnormalities, and post-transplant survival describe different outcomes.
Key concepts
- Rooting percentage and rooting speed are separate metrics
- Survival after transplant can reveal weaknesses not visible at first root emergence
- Batch comparisons need similar starting material and environment to be interpretable
- Small samples can make percentages look more precise than they are
What to measure or observe
- Count total cuttings and rooted cuttings
- Record first-root and ready-to-transplant dates
- Track abnormal or lost cuttings separately
- Compare post-transplant survival by batch
Common mistakes
- Reporting only the best tray
- Changing batch definitions midway
- Ignoring post-transplant losses
- Comparing different source plants as though genotype and source condition were controlled
Visuals this lesson still needs
- Propagation batch dashboard
- Rooting percentage versus speed graph
- Batch comparison table
- Propagation funnel diagram