Why are plant cutting of great value to the horticulture industry?

Answer 1

I believe the question is "Why are plant cutting(s) of great value to the horticulture industry?"

First, we need to know what "cuttings" are. Cuttings are parts of a plant that have been removed in some fashion, such as leaves or twigs or roots. Under the right conditions of soil, moisture, humidity, etc., that plant part may start to grow roots and shoots, and become a fully developed plant in itself.

So, why is this of value to horticulture? Several reasons:

1. Interestingly, a cutting will become exactly the same type of plant as the plant from which the cutting was removed. Therefore it is a clone. This type of cloning has been done by man for 1000's of years, but has been done by nature (likely) for as long as plants have existed. As a clone, it will have all the same traits as the parent plant, same color flowers, same tasting fruit, same growth habit, etc.

2. When using cuttings, one plant (the parent) can produce many, many plants in a relatively short period of time, usually far more rapidly than seeds. The smaller the cuttings are, the more plants that can be produced in a given period of time. Very small cuttings are sometimes produced for laboratory growth, some being the size of only a few cells in clusters. This type of plant propagation from "cuttings" is called cell culture.

3. Some plant varieties, though producing seeds, will not grow identical varieties from that seed. This is a common occurrence for plants that are hybridized or that are called hybrids. The only way to reproduce the parent plant exactly is by way of cuttings. If you want lots of the same variety, cuttings are a good way to go.

4. One natural form of cutting (natural meaning occurring in nature) is the sprouting of a new plant from the roots. Once this plant is big enough, it can be cut from the parent (roots intact) and planted elsewhere. Strawberries send out a specialized stem which, once it touches the ground, will send out roots and shoots and become a new plant. Cut the old stem and it can be dug-up and moved to a more desirable location. Horticulturists have been using these natural forms of cuttings to multiply varieties rapidly.

5. Many people share plants by way of cuttings. Often, putting a leaf or small stem in a glass of water will start the roots and shoots growing. Later the plant is moved to soil. Though this method is common, not all plant species will root cuttings this easily. More challenging species require a little more science, such as rooting hormones, special nutrients, or specific growing conditions.