Rooting of Stem Cuttings of Mortonia scabrella

Abstract

Mortonia scabrella can be successfully propagated by stem -tip cuttings during May to September. Better rooting seems to occur during the less stressful months of May and September than in mid-summer. A wide range of rooting response occurs between different clones; the best will root in the range of 70-80%, which should be acceptable in a commercial propagation situation. In one cycle of selection in which the best 3 out of 16 clones were selected for a repeat study, average rooting success increased from 6% to 33 %. Apparently genetic differences for rooting potential occur. Further selection from larger populations, and/or breeding for this trait should result in cutting propagation becoming relatively easy for this species.