Euphorbias, starting new plants

I have been looking for a particular Euphorbia in the nurseries here and haven't been able to find the particular plant I wanted. It is Euphorbia characias, (Tasmanian Tiger). I did manage to find two almost dead 1 gallon plants and have decided to try and propagate more plants from these two. Most of their soil has been washed away and they have been sorely neglected so will repot them and nurse them back to good health before attempting to use them for cuttings.

Can anyone advise me on the type of soil to use when I do take cuttings from these plants? My thought would be a very sandy starting soil but am not sure. Also what would be the best time of year to take cuttings from these mother plants?

Any thoughts or suggestions you may have would be appreciated.

Barb

never tried to make cuttings from that species, but most folks who do succulent cuttings do it in sand and/or pumice/ perlite with some peat. I have seen these regularly for sale at several local nurseries here in Los Angeles.. might want to come down some time and look around. I got mine at a small, ordinary nursery in Pasadena.

When you do Euphorbia cuttings the cuttings will leak a milky sap. Get a bucket or other container and fill it with cold water before you start. As you cut each stem put the cut end in the water. Once you are through cutting the stems, leave the cut ends in the water for about 15-30 minutes.

The purpose for this is to stop the sap from leaking and to leave you with a fairly clean stem cut. If the milky sap is allowed to dry on the end of the stem it's difficult to get them to root.

Also make sure to wash the sap from your hands, tools or anyplace else it drips. It's toxic if it gets in your eyes or a cut. Also a pet could get it on their paws and then try to lick it off and they might get sick.

Hope this helps.

Hi Palmbob,

That is a beautiful photo of the Euphorbia (Tasmanian Tiger) plant. Thanks for the tip to check the local nurseries in the So. Cal. area. I'll be down in the Woodland Hills area next week so will check around that area.

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts. Happy gardening!

Hi Faeden,

Sounds like you have made cuttings from this plant before. I do have dogs so appreciate the warning about the sap from this plant. Your guidance on how to make cuttings from the Euphorbia plant will help immensely.

The Euphorbias are the last group of plants I need to complete my new landscape design so am quite anxious for a successful start with them. I started my landscape project a little more than 2 years ago. I've grown all my own plant material, a little over 400 plants, ranging in size from 1 gallon to 15 gallons including 3 boxed trees. It has been quite an experience but those sad looking Euphorbias really threw me. (grin) Every square inch of my veggie garden has been covered with pots and boxes of one size or other so it is nice to finally reclaim my garden area.

Thank you for sharing your expertise.

You're very welcome. Your place sounds wonderful. You should post pictures once you're done so we can all enjoy it! :>)