There are three methods of palm plant propagation; The most common is the vegetative way of branching (offshoot) which will genetically be the same as the parent tree. The branch develops from the side shoots on the stem near the surface of the soil during the juvenile stage of the date palm. Branches, after 3-5 years attached to the parent tree will be rooted and can be planted separately from the mother. At that time the branch will begin to form flowers and bear fruit.
The second propagation is to produce sexually transmitted tillers. These saplings are not identical to the parent tree and are not genetically uniform, varying greatly in terms of production and fruit quality. As many as 50% of plants are male plants, and this is only known 4-5 years later, after the plants start flowering.
Kurma-kuljarThe third method of multiplication of dates is through tissue culture, ie from the tip of the bud either through embryogenesis or organogenesis first developed in the 1970s to 1980s. Organogenesis can be achieved using side shoots and apical meristems, whereas embryogenesis via callus is formed from buds, young leaves, stems and rachilla. It takes 6 years to achieve production through a tissue culture process.