A horticultural technique involves inducing root formation on a branch while it is still attached to the parent plant. This method allows for the propagation of new trees that are genetically identical to the original. A selected stem is girdled, treated with rooting hormone, and then encased in a moisture-retentive medium such as sphagnum moss, typically wrapped with plastic to maintain humidity. This encourages root development within the enclosed area. Once sufficient roots have formed, the branch is severed from the parent tree and planted as an independent sapling.
The practice offers significant advantages, including the ability to replicate desirable traits reliably and bypass the longer juvenile period associated with seed propagation. This results in quicker fruit production. Furthermore, it enables the propagation of cultivars that may not root easily from cuttings or other methods. Historically, this approach has been utilized to propagate a wide range of woody plants, providing a valuable tool for orchard management and conservation of specific varieties.
