Compound layering is a plant propagation technique that involves bending a flexible stem to the ground, alternately covering and exposing sections of it to encourage root growth. An example of a plant that can be propagated using compound layering are:
Examples of Plants Using Compound Layering
- Heart-leaf philodendron: This popular houseplant is well-suited for compound layering due to its flexible stems.
- Pothos: Also known as devil's ivy, pothos plants are another excellent choice for this propagation method, as they possess similar characteristics to the heart-leaf philodendron.
How Compound Layering Works
Compound layering works by:
- Bending a flexible stem of the parent plant to the ground.
- Alternately covering and exposing sections of the stem.
- Wounding the lower side of the stem sections that will be buried.
- Securing the buried sections with soil.
- Allowing roots to form at the buried nodes.
- Separating the rooted stems to create new individual plants.
This method leverages the plant's natural ability to produce roots from nodes when they are in contact with a moist medium, allowing for multiple new plants to be propagated from a single stem. The alternating exposure and covering encourage more nodes to root along the stem rather than one single section.
Benefits of Compound Layering
- More New Plants: Compound layering allows for more new plants to be produced than simple layering.
- Flexible Stems: The method suits plants with long, flexible stems making it an effective method of propagation.
| Plant Name | Suitability for Compound Layering |
|---|---|
| Heart-leaf Philodendron | Excellent |
| Pothos | Excellent |
