Succulents: Propagation Secrets

Crassula ovata = 'Jade' Do not to attempt to start it this time of year. It just doesn't work. I have attempted to this past month and so far no roots. (experiement) This is a spring/summer grower. Wait until May to take the cuts. It will then root out quickly. Timing is everything with this species. Norma

Cactus have gone dormant, so don't try to root any at this time. Also if they are not growing do not water or fertilize them. Sansevieria stop watering at this time to harden them off (very little water, make sure they are very dry) and let them have a 6 mo. rest. Take all flower spikes off the Haworthia at this time. Watch for roots protracting,
or rotting off. Okay, then this happens just lift the plant out of the soil, you will be able to tell because the plant will wiggle a lot. Then just let it rest in a empty container. Not all Haworthia do this, just some species.

Gasteria will be growing like crazy, but still hold back water, let them dry out before watering again, in my case they are outside, so I don't water at all, the rain will take care of them during our winter months. You may start offsets at this time, if they are large enough (l") leaf cutting will also work this time of year. Pull the leaf off at the base close to the stem. Pull sideways.

African bulbs are just starting to wake up. My Agave will do fine outside and I will look for offsets to start.

I am also takeing Crassula, Aeonium,Sedum cuttings or leaves to start new plants now. Keep name tags on all plants it sure will save a lot of time later, I know, I'm guily of losing the labels. Norma

Winter is almost here, I just want to remind you that plants do no like to be cold and have wet feet. Do not set a saucer on the bottom and leave it there holding water.
They still need air circulation during the winter especially if you have a furnace or whatever you keep warm with during the winter. Find a good light source.
They will need very little water unless actively growing. My friend in New York reminded me that I should write this note. He wrote a beautiful article for our journal. I wish I was a professional writer. Thanks Elias

Today at the Huntington we cut up the Ripsalis. I took some home, I will put about 10 twigs, well that is what they look like to me, in a rose pot (1" X 4") in my regular cactus mix. These plants are put on a hanging bar faceing the west, however they do have a 50% shade cloth over the top to protect them,in our weather they are kept out all year.
I was given a lovely very fine Rhipsalis burchellii
which has a red cast to the very fine twiggy leaves? Stems?
I hope they can be started inside. I will be getting plenty of these to bring home tomorrow.
I love the Huntington, it's fun to volunteer there, I have great volunteers to work with. Our cactus mix is gritty, sandy, porous, 10% forest bark. You are all invited to visit should you come to Los Angeles, I will be glad to show you around, I'll give you a private tour, part of the tour is potting up. Norma

I's sorry, we cut the Ripsalis no longer than 4" below the node, the trick is the smaller the container the better, they need to be crowded. Be very careful not to overwater until they take root, give a very gently tug on the plants to check if they are rooted, remember to give them time to root. Tomorrow I'm going to check and see if they need warmth this time of year for propogation. I'll report back.

Well group, I'm actually starting to cut the heads off the Aeonium. They are showing me their roots. In January, I'll start them from the leaves. I'll tell you about that when I do it. The bulbs that are starting to show their leaves are all being repotted at this time into larger pots so they can put on good growth before spring, I can't wait to see the flowers on this new species, they have been seed grown. Start looking at your Crassula, if you see new roots start them at this time. I am starting new offset of Crassula barklyi (teres, 'Rattlesnake') I have started many Kalanchoe at this time, they are showing new roots along the stems. I also have been taking cuttings of Sedum multiceps, mini (Joshua Tree)All winter Sedum should be started now. Senecio should be started now. Adromischus also by leaves, just lay they on top of the soil. Tylecoden are starting to show leaves, but don't even try Cotyledons,
Crassula ovata (jade) must not be started at this time.
Gasteria are winter gowers, take offsets off now, if they are not too small. Haworthia also, remember some Haw. will naturally drop their roots, wait for new roots to show before planting. I'll try to keep you posted and up to date when to do what and how. Use fresh soil, clean pots, do not water until they are rooted down, do not fertilize until spring. Norma

Ripsalis, we took cuttings today, but did not set into soil. John said it would be better during the summer months, we had no choice, we had to move them to the new location. We repotted all of them. These plants were field collected in the 60-80tys by Myron Kimnach.
I brought home about 20 species and hopefully I'll be lucky.They have been put in the greenhouse so I can control the water they will get. Most have finished flowering and have fruit that is mostly white in color and you can see the seeds through the skin. I love the species that spirals. Norma

Dudley, now is the time to cut off the heads and repot for propagatiion. The are winter growers. They will put on good roots by May. They grow all along the coast of the U.S. mainland, Islands, up to Washington, down to Mexico, hanging on to north facing cliffs, some do grow inland, again on the north side of cliffs, big and small. They are illegal to collect. The love the fog. Keep very dry during the summer months when they are not in growth. Norma

Today I did the Sempervivums. Took off the babies first and potted them up in a flat, I did remember to put paper on the bottom so the soil wouldn't spill out. 9 rows with 9ea. row. Then I took the large heads and cleaned off all the dead leaves on the underside. Potted them all up in small 4's, meaning less then 4" across but 4" deep, and top dressed them in small smooth Mexican beach gravel. This will keep out the weeds, keep soil in as well as the plant, they also look nice for sales. It's time to do the Semps.

Norma

Kalanchoe: Now is the time to take cuttings. Make you cut just above the leaf pair. Set this stem all the way down into a very small pot up to the pair of leaves.

Our mix has changed, I like it very much. We now use 60% pumice 20% coarse washed builders sand, 20% forest bark (porducts) It smells good, and feel better than the previouis mix. I sure hope the plants love it.

Norma -- What type and size of bark do you use? Do you think oak leaf mold would work? I use 65% pumice, 10% grit and 25% oak leaf mold for most things. Although I will use peat (with a wetting agent added) and pumice for haworthias on occasion -- usually when I don't have any other organics available.

Patrick

Patrick, climates are so different, greenhouse conditions are not the same, temperatures also. So each of us must experiment with mixes for our own conditions. I use whatever the Huntington has to offer at the time. John Trager (curator) changes his mixes often. We moved to a new location in the garden, we changed the mix. We are now using more forest bark. I would think that Orchid bark would work if it were small sizes. I live in a very dry arid area. Norma

It's a good idea to start new cuts just as you see signs of new growth, be sure to use a sharp scissor, and let that cut heal over before planting in soil. Watch for new growth and then water. Always tap down the bottom of the pot on a hard surface to settle the soil, do not press down as you do in other garden plants. I started the Oxalis today they are waking up.
Tylecoden should just be starting growth now, take the cuts. Cut back water on the San. you make take cutting if they are in a heated green house. Start putting in your winter growing seeds usingthe method as explained by Jon. I have started Crassula today from cuttings, just the winter growers. I make the cut just below the node, and set them down on top of my clean soil, they will root up fast. Ceropegio seem to like the cold and are growing well now, especially the vine types. Senecio are growing wild, so take your cuttings now. I cut off the tops of the Tricodiadema, I just popped the bottom stems, stripping off the leaves to stop rot, into the soil. These are the tuberous type with the purple flowers. I also cut the tops off in March, strip off about 1" of bottom leaves and into the soil they go, about 10 cuts per rose pot. Not all will live, so what, they didn't cost you any thing anyway.

Norma

You know, I was just reading down this thread and feel compelled to point out what a terrific service you are providing people with your knowledge. You are truly
amazing in your ability to explain things clearly, and succinctly.
I consider it a great education just to be allowed to read through these. Please don't stop.

Now is the time to pot up, cut up, clean up, the Dueleya. If you do it now, it will have plenty of time to get new roots before hot weather comes. When hot weather comes then pop the plant into a shaded area, do not give water during the hot summer months, They grow along our western coast line, loves the fog, loves fog belts, its grown on step cliffs in very poor soil. Nice plant, ugly flowers.

Thanks for the complient, Jon thanks for the help, Jon I want you to know that John Trager of the Huntington planted out my H. 'Donuts' WOW you should see the results, I couldn't believe so many variations. He waters and fertilizs seedlings very freely the 1st year of growth. I still don't have the touch for seeds, I'm probably not patient enough. I did set seeds on one head of the San. kirkii v.pulchra, I think I cheated a bit however, I used the pollen of another species. Now I must wait until those seed turn orange before harvesting, this make take until June. Last year I waited for 9 months for seeds to ripen.
I have one package of Echeveria
'Harry Butterfied' seed left dated 8/18/01 does anyone want them?

Thanks to all of you, it was a long thread. Want to try it again? Norma

Hi all, what's the optimal season for rooting puya?

this thread is absoulutely wonderful and essential to us begingers. Hope I see more of stuff like this
Greatly appreciated
gartefully ,gayle