Sexual propagation requires gathering seed from a parent plant. The resulting offspring has traits from the parent plants but is not identical.
Asexual propagation, vegetative propagation, results in clones of the parent plant. This can be done by taking cuttings of the stem, leaves or roots from the parent plant. New plants develop from those plant parts.
K-State Garden Hour has a great presentation with more details about vegetative propagation. It is linked below. Here are the basics:
- Begin by collecting cuttings, early in the morning, from a healthy parent plant.
- Store cuttings in a plastic bag to maintain moisture and humidity.
- Treat the cut end with rooting hormone.
- Insert cutting into a container with rooting substrate (rockwool cubes, jiffy plugs, potting soil.)
- Keep cuttings in a climate with high humidity. (You can cover them with a bottomless milk jug or clear plastic bag.)
- Grow in bright, indirect light, keeping the tops of the cuttings cool.
The length of time it will take for roots to develop varies based on plant species. Some will root within four weeks while others may take up to 16 weeks. Once rooting has occurred, it’s time to transplant and harden plants off for their new growing conditions.
Here is the K-State Garden Hour presentation with more detail about propagation and tips for success. https://youtu.be/mQ8dD0vo2E8