I took 2 leaves/stems from a AV and put them in water at the same time..one shriveled up and died the other is still thriving, although it does not got any roots..do you think that this is a good sign...I have never been able to root a AV before and I am really excited bout this.
What do you think
Thanks,
Char :o)
What do you think???
If it's thriving, it will grow roots. Sometimes it takes awhile, but as long as the leaf is healthy, keep waiting. Sounds like you're getting into AV propagation, too! Did you see the threads about the addiction? At least it's a healthy addiction! :)
Char it sounds like you did a great job... don't worry that one leaf made it and one didn't... it just happens sometimes.
There are soo many ways to grow AV's from leaves and water babies are very fast to get roots. Remember to add a little fresh water to that baby in a day or two, until you see roots...then pot it up after it gets some roots. Trying to switch water babies over to potting soil can be tricky so I alwasy add a lil perlite after I see some roots, then about a week later I add a sprinkle of the potting soil they will be going into.
It helps them to grow "dirt roots" and makes the switch ovr easier.
Be sure to post a pic or two so everyone can see your success!
Best wishes on your babies!!!
MsC
I hope as soon as I say this I don't ruin my success, but I've never had trouble planting water babies in soil. I just keep them watered very well at first, then cut back to normal. I'm sure MsC's way is safer, though! I think it's fun at first to take some leaves and just experiment-- that way you can learn what works for you. :) Have fun with it!
danak,
You are very right the experiements are almost as much fun a the end results. Everyone has different luck growing things different ways and the one that works for you is the one that you should use...
I don't usually have trouble growing babies, it's just keeping them alive long enough to bloom that gives me trouble! LOL
I like water babies cause you can actually watch them sprout and it's cheap! Everyone has water!!! :) No soil or mess to clean up!
MsC
Maybe I should try growing some water babies. I've tried a few leaves in dirt, and...to no avail. Maybe the location I've put them in, they dry up too fast. At least with a glass of water, it wouldn't dry up as fast :( I have 4 plants, one with flowers, 3 that have stopped blooming. I've moved them by a window, so now they are getting better light, and they look very healththy, so I'm just waiting on those. If I were to cut a leave from one of them, to try in water, would I leave a pretty long stem? And should I cut a bottom leaf??
Thanks
PiggyPoo :)
PiggyPoo,
We all have our favorite methods of growing leaves and plants so you have to experiement with different styles and find ones that work for you.
I like water babies because there's basically no mess of soil everywhere, but either method works great.
I prefer the leaves from closer to the middle myself.The outer ones will work but they seem to be slower and don't put up as many babies.
I also like to leave my stems a little longer for water babies, just my style but I've done some that were pretty short from being broken and both will work.
You can try enclosing the leaves you'd like to grow in a soil mixture a zip lock baggie or cleaer storage box, even one of the plastic cake domes you get from the bakery like Wal Mart. It keeps them from drying out so fast.
Give it a try!!!
MsC