What is a Stolon

Reproduction of plants is quite a simple process. In nature, plant reproduction occurs through either asexual reproduction or vegetative propagation. Asexual reproduction of plants that take place through corns and bulbs of plants, produces modified stems. Vegetative reproduction on the other hand produces new plant individuals that are identical to parents as well as their siblings. There are a few ways of vegetative propagation that we use to clone identical plants. Some popular ways of them being grafting and cutting the tubers, rhizomes, taproots and runners or stolons. Various types of grass, mint and types of berries are propagated by using their stolons.

What is a Stolon Among Plants?
If you try to find out online answers to the question, what is stolon, then you are likely to come across quite a few definitions of stolon. According to one of the definitions of stolons that are available online: Stolons are horizontal connections between organisms. They may be part of the organism, or of its skeleton; typically, animal stolons are external skeletons.

In other words, stolon is a horizontal branch of a plant that forms a base for buds to develop into identical plants. Stolons help and give rise to other stems of the same plant to grow on its own tip. If you look around, you will come to know quite a few examples of plants that have stolon stems. Stolons are also called runner stems, since they run in horizontal direction from the main stem of that plant. Some common examples of stolon plants are, strawberries, ginger, mint and other mint family members, different types of grass, rosette plants and houseplants, tufted plants, nut stolon grass, sedge, etc.

Characteristics of a Stolon
First of all, understand that stolons look slightly different from the main stem of the same plant. Stolons also have distinctly visible nodes on their surface. These nodes are the place where new growth of plants appears. Stolons are present above as well as below the ground level. This position totally depends upon the species and characteristics of that plant in particular. Interestingly, in some plants, stolons grow in straight, vertical and upright direction and then they bend horizontally after a certain period of time. When the new growth takes place on the stolon nodes, they still feed on nutrition provided by the parent stem. But, over time, they become independent and don't rely on nutrition which is provided through stolon. Planting species that have stolons, are some of the easy to grow plants for beginner gardening enthusiasts!

Disadvantages of a Stolon
Now that we have learned what is a stolon and what importance it has in plant growth and propagation, it is also important to learn about the disadvantages of plant stolons. In some gardening scenarios stolons are happily expected by gardeners, while in some cases, they become quite a nuisance, for instance, some invasive stolon plants. The biggest disadvantage of plant stolons is the disease resistance level of the new plants. If one relies on the stolons to produce new plants, chances are that the new stems will be born and grow with the same problems and diseases. It is the reason why it is really important to not totally rely on one single parent plant for new generation of plants. One way that can be done though is to have more than one parent plants, so that you can use stolons of the most healthier of them all.

How to Grow Plants from a Stolon
Now you can easily try your hands on gardening and grow new plants, by using healthy parent plant and its stolon. To do that you may need, stolons and some garden tools like, lawn roller, hoe, shovel, measuring tape and water. You need to get the number of stolons for the size of the area that you want to cover. For example, 1 bushel of grass stolons is sufficient for an area of 1 sq ft yard. Then, use hoe and make 2 inches deep furrows in the yard. Don't forget to maintain at least 6 inches in between two rows. Then, lay the stolons on the ground in such a way that their nodes should touch the soil. Fill all the furrows with topsoil. Lastly, run lawn runner throughout the surface of plantation and irrigate the area to at least 4 inches depth. Maintain soil moisture level during the initial phase. You may also need to use fertilizers and watering module, which is suitable for the species that you are growing!

Well, now you know everything that a layman in the field of gardening should know! Happy gardening!