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Sucker / offset

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What is sucker / offset propagation?

Sucker / offset propagation is a method of vegetative propagation in which a naturally produced daughter shoot or daughter plant is separated from the parent plant and replanted. Depending on the species, these structures may be called suckers, pups, offsets or basal shoots.

When is it useful?

This method is useful for plants that naturally produce suitable daughter shoots around or beside the parent plant. Because the new plant develops vegetatively from the parent, it is genetically identical to it and normally preserves the characteristics of the selected plant.

Basic procedure

  1. Select a healthy, sufficiently developed sucker or offset from a vigorous parent plant.
  2. Check where and how the daughter plant is connected to the parent and whether it has already developed its own roots.
  3. Expose the connection carefully and preserve as many healthy roots as possible.
  4. Separate the sucker or offset with a clean, sharp tool when necessary, avoiding unnecessary injury to both parent and daughter plant.
  5. Remove badly damaged or diseased tissue.
  6. Replant promptly at an appropriate depth in suitable soil or growing medium.
  7. Keep the newly separated plant adequately moist and protect it from excessive stress until it is established.

Suckers, pups and offsets

The terminology varies between plant groups. A sucker is generally a shoot arising from the base, underground stem or root system of a parent plant. Pup and offset are commonly used for smaller daughter plants produced beside the parent. At Yuyo these closely related forms of naturally produced vegetative daughter plants are grouped under one propagation method.

Bananas

Bananas naturally produce suckers from their underground corm or rhizome system. Suitable suckers can be separated and replanted to establish genetically identical banana plants. The type, size and condition of the sucker are important and should be considered in the species-specific information.

Sucker / offset propagation is not division

In sucker / offset propagation, a distinct daughter shoot or daughter plant produced naturally by the parent is detached and replanted. In division, an established clump, rhizome, corm or similar plant structure is deliberately separated into viable portions.

Important

The appropriate size and maturity of a sucker or offset, the amount of root required, the best time for separation and the necessary aftercare vary between species. Always check the species-specific propagation information before separating a daughter plant.

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