How to Propagate Vetiver
Photo Essay on Propagation
There are many methods of propagation. Plants produced from a nursery whatever the size are generally of better quality. Experienced/traditional small farmers often just split their existing hedgerows using the downhill vetiver part of the hedge as transplants for new hedgerows. This system works under proper management and small numbers. Production of large numbers of quality and uniform slips should come from nurseries. The cheapest and in most cases the best is production of bare rooted plant material. In Thailand vetiver was successfully propagated (by the millions) in-vitreo, but even these have to go through a nursery phase. Containerized plants are very good, but more expensive, and are recommended for use where the site conditions warrant them. Some of the other methods of propagation can be found in Document Center papers. The following photos show a step-by-step process of producing bare rooted vetiver slips. We thank Evan Millwood of Queensland, Australia for many of the photos.
Further reading and references on Vetiver basics
Vetiver System – Propagation & Planting
Vetiver Grass — The Hedge against Erosion — (pages 19-22)
Vetiver Planting Guide — Australia
A Look See at Vetiver — Malaysia
Techniques of Vetiver Propagation with Special Reference to Thailand
Vetiver Grass Propagation – Vietnam — pages 19-44