Vegetative, or asexual, reproduction in plants is a type of reproduction process. It involves creating a new organism by dividing or taking a piece of a "parent" organism. The part of the stem that forms new roots and shoots is called the node. These growing points produce leaves, flowers or shoots when the plant grows normally but, if a piece with two or more nodes is cut and planted, the nodes can be encouraged to grow roots or shoots. Sexual reproduction in plants, however, requires a male reproductive cell and a female reproductive cell. What happens is that male reproductive cells go through a process called "meiosis". Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Meiosis is used for the process of creating “gametes,” in this case the eggs and sperm of plants. After the male cells create the "sperm", the female reproductive cells go through meiosis and create the female "gametes" which are the egg. The node of the plant is the part where new roots and shoots grow. After cutting, remove any flowers or leaves to reduce transpiration. The sperm then fuses with the egg to fertilize it and create a "zygote." A zygote is the fuse between the sperm and the egg. This zygote goes through the process of "mitosis," which is when a cell divides into two cells identical to the original. After mitosis, the zygote transforms into an embryo. The embryo goes through mitosis and transforms into a new organism. Sexual reproduction of plants has an absolutely unique pathway compared to the asexual reproduction method, and this pathway can distinguish between asexual and sexual reproduction in plants. Cuttings One method of vegetative propagation uses cuttings. To start a cut you need to have a healthy plant and clean shears. Shears are scissors used to cut and prune plants. The part of the stem that forms new roots and shoots is called a node. In some cases, roots are encouraged by the addition of a growth hormone (sold as a rooting powder or gel), but often simply burying the cutting in the propagation mix and providing the best growing conditions stimulates root formation without the need for additives. These growing points produce leaves, flowers or shoots when the plant grows normally but, if a piece with two or more nodes is cut and planted, the nodes can be encouraged to grow roots or shoots. A cut is made below the plant node. The node of the plant is the part where new roots and shoots grow. After making the cut, remove any flowers or leaves to reduce transpiration. Transpiration is the movement of water through a plant and the water evaporates from the leaves or flowers from the stem. After removing flowers and leaves, the cutting is dipped in hormone gel or powder. The additives will help the development of roots in the plant. In some cases, roots are encouraged by the addition of a growth hormone (sold as rooting powder or gel), but often simply burying the cutting in the propagation mix and providing the best growing conditions stimulates root formation without the need of additives. Many plants can regenerate from a single fragment of themselves. It is usually a piece of stem but can be a root or even a leaf. Many perennials are grown from root cuttings, while Rex begonias and African violets (pictured) can be grown from a single leaf. Plants grown from a cutting are the same as the plant they were taken from and are..