Succulents - How To Grow Succulent Plants from Cuttings
Buy: Cuttings Packs |
Buy: Living Art Packs |
Identification |
How To: Grow Succulents |
Succulent Pictures |
One of the very best things about succulent growing is creating new plants from cuttings.
It is a rewarding and economical hobby that helps your garden grow.
Upon ordering your succulent cuttings, it is time to get your pots and soil ready.
You can use pre prepared succulent and cacti mix or just as effective is a free draining potting mix
Upon receiving your pack of cuttings and offsets open immediately and remove from box. Keep out of strong sunlight while preparing to pot.
A lot of sites recommend dipping the cut end of the succulent into a rooting hormone, but I have propagated thousands of cuttings and find this an unnecessary expense.
Set the cuttings directly into a pot of pre-moistened soil.
Place the pots in a bright location away from direct sun.
Water the cuttings only when the soil feels dry to the touch.
Avoid fertilizer until you begin to see new growth which is an indication that the cuttings are developing roots. This can be 2 weeks to 2 months depending upon variety
While your plants are growing in their pots check our cuttings page to name and learn about your plants so you can design your garden.
Note: In Autumn and Winter it is beneficial (but not necessary) to place a clear plastic bag over each pot, using sticks to keep the plastic off the cuttings. The bag will act as a miniature greenhouse and help the cuttings along. Remove the bag after a week to 10 days and water.
To Water or not to Water.. That is the question?
It is a widespread belief that succulents in the garden do not require water but this is a myth.
In fact most succulent's native habitats are not completely dry but receive water by fog or dew at certain times of the year.
Succulents have a special ability of storing water in their fleshy leaves and / or stems. They use these reserves when no water is available.
They also stop growing to preserve their water needs. A succulent that is suffering from lack of water will be wrinkled and soft.
A long soak will soon revive it. When establishing a succulent garden, water weekly in summer and extend out to fortnightly or every 3 weeks for cacti. Succulents have shallow but wide roots systems so water out from the plant but not too deep.
In winter, no supplemental watering will be required as generally most succulents are dormant. Once established, a succulent garden can be kept compact by keeping it dry.
A general rule with succulents is if in doubt DON'T WATER. Most succulents will revive from lack of water but over watering can cause rot from the roots moving up into the plant and can be irreversible.
