Five common methods of asexual plant reproduction are:
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Cuttings: This involves taking a piece of a stem, leaf, or root from the parent plant and rooting it to grow a new, genetically identical plant. Examples include propagating roses from stem cuttings or African violets from leaf cuttings. [Source: Multiple references including https://extension.umaine.edu/gardening/manual/propagation/plant-propagation/, https://pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/pubs_ext_vt_edu/en/426/426-002/426-002.html, and others.]
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Layering: This technique encourages root development on a stem while it's still attached to the parent plant. Once rooted, the stem is severed to create a new plant. An example is layering a blackberry cane to encourage root formation before separating it. [Source: https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/layering-propagation-for-the-home-gardener.html, and others.]
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Division: This method separates a mature plant into multiple smaller plants, each capable of growing independently. Examples include dividing clumps of hostas or daylilies. [Source: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/extension-gardener-handbook/13-propagation, and others.]
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Budding/Grafting: These techniques involve joining parts of two different plants. Budding uses a bud from one plant (the scion) inserted into the stem of another (the rootstock), while grafting joins stems or branches. This is often done to combine desirable traits from different plant varieties. [Source: Multiple sources, including the initial provided text.]
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Separation: This involves separating naturally occurring offshoots or plantlets from the parent plant, such as plantlets growing along the runners of a strawberry plant. Each separated portion develops into an independent plant. [Source: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/extension-gardener-handbook/13-propagation]
While other asexual reproduction methods exist (like spore formation and fragmentation, mentioned in some sources), these five represent the most common and widely practiced techniques in horticulture and gardening. Many resources might list slightly different methods, depending on the level of detail and specific application being discussed, but these five broadly cover the core methods.
