Growing New Plants: Lamina Leaf Cuttings

• Biology
• Lower Secondary (Key Stage 3)
• Upper Secondary (Key Stage 4)

Growing New Plants: Lamina Leaf Cuttings

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will understand the advantages of lamina leaf cuttings and be able to perform the technique.

What do you already know about lamina leaf cuttings?

Advantages of Lamina Leaf Cuttings

Lamina leaf cuttings have several advantages:

1. Easy to perform

2. High success rate

3. Ability to produce multiple plants from a single leaf

Equipment Needed

1. Pruning shears

2. Small pots

3. Potting soil

4. Watering can

5. Clear plastic bag (optional)

Materials Needed

1. Healthy plant with leaves

2. Potting soil

3. Water

Method: Taking Lamina Leaf Cuttings

1. Select a healthy leaf

2. Cut the leaf at the base of the petiole

3. Trim away any excess petiole

4. Make a small cut at the base of the lamina

5. Dip the leaf cutting in rooting hormone

 6. Place the cutting in a pot with moist soil

7. Place the cutting in a plastic bag

<img src="https://propg.ifas.ufl.edu/images/05-cuttings/02-types/cuttingtypesleaf/image1.jpg" alt="Photo showing a variety of different species of leaf cuttings."/>

Caring for Lamina Leaf Cuttings

1. Place the pots in a warm and bright location

2. Keep the soil consistently moist

3. Mist the cuttings regularly

4. Monitor for signs of growth

Why do we need to put the leaf cuttings into a clear plastic bag?

1. Protect from pests
2. Promote air circulation
3. Prevent moisture loss
4. Create a humid environment

How should the cuttings be cared for after planting?

1. Provide indirect light
2. Allow soil to dry out
3. Keep soil moist
4. Expose to direct sunlight

What equipment is needed for this technique?

1. Rooting hormone
2. Plastic bag
3. Sharp knife
4. Watering can

What are the advantages of lamina leaf cuttings?

1. Easy to propagate
2. Difficult to care for
3. Produces identical plants
4. Requires special equipment

Reflection

What have you learned during this practical session?

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.