What plants can grow by layering?

Plants that can grow by layering include jasmine and mint, among others. Layering is an artificial method of vegetative propagation where a stem is encouraged to root while still attached to the parent plant.

Understanding Layering

Layering, as mentioned in the provided reference, is a human-performed method of artificial vegetative propagation. This process involves bending a branch of a plant and covering a portion of it with moist soil. Here's how it works:

• Branch Selection: A flexible, lower branch is chosen.
• Bending and Burying: The branch is bent down to the ground and a section is covered with soil, ensuring a node (where leaves grow) is buried.
• Root Development: The buried section develops roots over time.
• Separation: Once sufficient roots have formed, the branch is cut from the parent plant, and it now exists as an independent, new plant.

Plants Suitable for Layering

While the references specifically mention jasmine and mint as commonly propagated by layering, many other plants are suitable for this technique. Layering is generally effective for plants with flexible stems that can be bent to the ground. Here are examples of plants that can be grown by layering:

• Common Examples:
  • Jasmine
  • Mint
• Other Suitable Plants:
  • Raspberries
  • Blackberries
  • Gooseberries
  • Currants
  • Forsythia
  • Rhododendrons
  • Honeysuckle
  • Climbing Roses

Types of Layering

There are several techniques within layering, including:

1. Simple Layering: The most basic method, as described above.
2. Tip Layering: Burying the tip of a branch, which then forms a new plant.
3. Air Layering (Marcotting): A branch is girdled (bark removed), wrapped in moist moss, and then covered with plastic to encourage root formation. The rooted branch is cut off once roots form.
4. Compound Layering: A stem is bent with multiple sections buried, each potentially forming a new plant.
5. Serpentine Layering: Similar to compound layering, but with alternating buried and exposed sections of the stem.

Advantages of Layering

• Easy Method: It's relatively simple and doesn't require specialized equipment.
• High Success Rate: The new plant remains connected to the parent plant while developing roots, increasing success rates.
• Clone Production: The new plants are genetically identical to the parent, preserving desirable traits.

Table Summary