Asexual: Reproduction that does not involve the fusion of male and female gametes.
In the garden, asexual reproduction refers to methods of propagating plants without using seeds. This can be done in a variety of ways, such as taking cuttings, dividing plants, or grafting. Asexual reproduction results in offspring that are genetically identical to the parent plant, essentially creating a clone.
This method is useful for gardeners because it allows them to propagate desirable plants that might not come true from seed or are difficult to grow from seed. For example, many fruit trees are grafted onto rootstock to ensure the desired variety and disease resistance. Asexual propagation also allows gardeners to quickly increase their stock of favorite plants.
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