Tissue culture plants, also known as micropropagated plants, are plants that have been propagated from a small piece of plant tissue under laboratory conditions. These plants require special care when first brought home from the nursery in order to help them transition and thrive. Here are 5 key steps for properly caring for newly acquired tissue culture plants:
When you first bring home tissue culture plants, it’s important to allow them time to adjust to the new environment before repotting or planting them outside. Here are some tips for this adjustment period:
Place plants in bright, indirect light right away. Avoid direct hot sunlight at first which could scorch tender leaves and stems. Use sheer curtains or provide some shade if needed.
These plants have been grown in very humid, sterile labs. Keep them in a bright bathroom, greenhouse or enclose in a plastic tent to gradually get them used to lower household humidity levels. Mist leaves frequently.
Resist overwatering at first since tiny young roots are easily damaged. Allow soil surface to slightly dry out between waterings.
Avoid fertilizer at this stage since roots are immature and can easily burn. Most commercial potting soils will have enough nutrients to establish small plants.
The sterile growing medium that micropropagated plants are shipped and sold in provides little or no nutrition. After plants adjust to household conditions, transplant them into fresh potting soil:
Choose a fast draining commercial potting soil with added compost or worm castings to nourish establishing plants.
Moisten root balls thoroughly to keep soil intact when transplanting. Allow excess water to drain first so soil is moist but not saturated.
Very gently loosen and untangle any circling, matted roots before placing into new containers. This encourages good root structure as plants grow.
Place freshly repotted plants in bright shade protected from direct sun and wind for 7-10 days. This reduces transplant shock. Resume normal care practices afterwards.
Providing supplemental bottom heat encourages faster root establishment in newly potted tissue culture plants. Here’s how:
Heating mats designed for seed starting provide 70-80°F heat. This stimulates rapid, healthy root growth.
Pair with grow lights that don’t emit too much heat. Monitor temperatures at plant level.
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Once you see visible growth and roots filling pots, discontinue bottom heat to transition plants to typical household temperatures.
Initially, micropropagated plants lack sturdy stem strength since they have been grown in protected laboratory environments. Provide supports as needed:
Use bamboo stakes, garden twine or soft plant ties to gently tie and secure top heavy stems soon after transplanting.
As vining vegetables and flowers grow, contain them within large tomato cages to keep plants upright.
Construct vertical or leaning trellises and lattice works for climbing plants like peas, cucumbers, beans and passion flowers.
Once tissue culture plants have adjusted to your growing conditions and put on significant new top and root growth, you can begin fertilizing and pruning:
Apply gentle liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks to nourish plants once roots fill containers. Use less than recommended rates.
Pinch back leggy growth to encourage bushy form. For fruiting and flowering plants, prune only lightly to shape plants initially.
Check soil frequently when introducing fertilizer and pruning. Roots are still gaining holding capacity. Let soil slightly dry between thorough waterings.
Caring for tissue culture plants has a learning curve, but following these key tips will help you transition micropropagated plants successfully. With good lighting, gentle handling of roots, added humidity and heat, proper support, light feeding and pruning, these plants will establish quickly and begin growing vigorously. Pay close attention in the first few weeks after bringing plants home, and you’ll soon have thriving additions to your indoor or outdoor gardens.
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