Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Propagating Echeverias and Friends

I set up a tray of Echeveria cuttings a month ago, hoping to refresh my sister-in-law's succulent pot, which had become overgrown. I tried to root leafless stem pieces (some of those dried up and died), individual leaves, and the rosettes at the tops of stems. So far, the leaves and rosetttes look good, and the remaining stems look green, so I have hope for them. All of the pieces were dipped in rooting hormone gel before tucking them into a tray of cactus soil. The tray sits atop a plant heating mat, which probably helps the rooting process.

Here are are two different Echeveria leaves that have produced some roots:


At first, I starved these cuttings of water, knowing that succulents like it dry. More recently, I saw them shriveling and watered them a bit more. They seem to have rewarded me by growing roots! I am very happy I didn't just kill my sister-in-law's plants by cutting them all to pieces. Phew!
Tray of Echevaria cuttings, under fluorescent lights:

I fell in love with the ice plant (Livingstone Daisy, Dorotheanthus criniflorus, Mesembryanthemum criniflorum) while visiting Arizona last month. They are ridiculously easy to propagate and grow (thrive on neglect and little water) and have beautiful flowers. I got a packet of seed and planted a few, producing these seedlings after only three days! I think these little succulents would be perfect for a sun-baked flower bed or neglected sandy slope.

Now if only I could propagate my African violet. I have tried this before with no luck. Someday this will work for me.

Watching things grow in the basement is a nice reprieve from braving the cold outside. It was -32C this morning, which is "mild" considering that north of us up in Stony Rapids, SK, it was -43 C (with no wind). I heeded the radio and put on a sweater!

7 comments:

RURAL said...

Good growing! I think that if I remember correctly, drying them out a little bit first is a good thing.

As to your weather.....brrrrrr.

We got snow today, 2 inches on the car when I came out of work. You should have heard me complain. I put the snow brush in the trunk. I thought winter was over for us spoiled BC'rs.

Jen

CanadianGardenJoy said...

I love these types of plants .. and I am still managing to kill one every season .. too much water .. for the most part I have done well but one little guy got too many drops and it DROPPED on me .. but you are doing great ! hang in there : )

Anonymous said...

You're going to have so many of those suckers it won't be funny.

Enjoy them.

Barbarapc said...

That is just too unbelievably stupidly cold! I say thank goodness for the light table. I always cheer up after I've spend some time primping and poking around mine. On Wednesday my browallia sprouted, looks like you're well ahead of me. It's all looking very good.

Clayton said...

Hi there. God luck with all the cuttings. FOund this page about violets.
http://www.robsviolet.com/violets_by_leaf.htm

Vancouver Isle Doug said...

Looks like you got yourself a headstart going for the upcoming season. Way to go!

I have tomatoes, peppers and Rudbeckia started in the house and will move them to the greenhouse in about a month, when it is ready. Next up will be yellow Cosmos and some Dill. What FUN!!!

Becky said...

I have propigated African violets from leaves, just put the stem in water and wait for roots, then plant. It takes forever for new leaves to form, but eventually you have a plant. Yesterday's windchill was -40, can't wait for spring.