Propagating succulents using leaves
Separation of the leaf from the mother plant
This breeding method is one most common for succulents.
But still, not all succulents are capable of propagating by leaves, for example, Eonium reproduces only by cuttings.
The first thing you need to do is cut the leaf off the plant with a sterilized, sharp knife.
You need to cut it carefully, under the base of the leaf, so as not to damage the mother plant itself.
Or, you can use your fingers to peel the sheet off, gently rocking the sheet from side to side until it comes off.
If you want to grow several plants at once, you can remove the leaves from the whole branch, this procedure will not harm the mother plant.
Now is the time for the most important step that must not be overlooked. You need to leave the leaf in a dry, light place, on a potting mix, napkin or towel for 3-7 days
You need to leave the leaf in a dry, light place, on the potting mix, napkin or towel for 3-7 days.
The leaf must be dried so that it does not absorb a lot of water during the first watering and does not die.
During this week, the leaf may even take root (or not) and this is completely normal.
Rooting with soil
The soil for a new plant needs loose, for this it will be enough to mix the soil with vermiculite or perlite in equal parts, or use soil for cacti and succulents.
The smallest pot is suitable for a new plant, literally 5 cm deep.
If you are sprouting several succulents at once, then you can take a wide, but not deep container and germinate all the leaves in one container.
The leaf does not need to be planted directly into the soil, it needs to be placed on the surface of the soil, while the cut end of the leaf should not touch the soil.
Yes, just put it!
After placing the leaf on the soil, the soil, along with the leaf, must be watered with water from a spray bottle.
By watering from a sprayer, you can be sure not to water the soil, which can lead to rotting of the planting material.
Water a new plant with water every day, in small portions.
The rooting rate will depend on the season in which you propagate the succulent, as well as temperature, humidity, and plant type.
After a few weeks, small plants from the leaf will begin to grow.
Rooting in water
Only the very tip of the leaf should be placed in the water, this is a very important point.
The water needs to be changed from time to time.
After a while, the leaf will take root, and after a while a young succulent will appear, which will be under water.
It is necessary to transplant a succulent into the soil when there is already a root or a young plant.
What to do after a young succulent appears?
When the mother leaf begins to wither, it must be carefully separated from the young plant and disposed of, it will no longer be useful to you.
A young plant by that time should reach a size of 5 cm.
If you are afraid that you will damage the roots of the young plant with this procedure, wait for the mother leaf to fall off by itself.
Not all leaves will grow a new plant, sometimes some leaves wither, some take root, and a young plant does not grow.
Also, the leaves may not produce new plants in case they lack light.
While the leaves are sprouting, do not move, do not move them, as they can take out small roots, they must not be damaged.
After removing the mother leaf, the new young plant must be transplanted into its own separate pot.
At the same time, please note that the young plant should not be placed in direct sunlight, the sun can burn the leaves
Freeing the roots
Try to separate the roots from the compacted soil. When cleaning the roots of old soil, be careful not to pull too hard so as not to break the fragile roots of the Succulent. It is best to use a small wooden stick.
You need to break the root ball shape before planting the flower in a new pot. This will help it grow better and make the most of the increased space.
Pay attention to dead and damaged roots: they should be cut off. Next, you need to choose a new pot - it is best to take a slightly larger pot, but still not too large
Next, you need to choose a new pot - it is best to take a pot that is slightly larger, but still not too large.
When to transplant azalea at home
Azalea transplant at a young age is carried out once a year. Any deviation from this norm can lead to stress and illness. The best period when you can transplant an azalea without harm to the flower is spring. In this case, a bush is formed.
Plant transplant
Experienced florists recommend combining these two procedures. More frequent transplants are carried out only as a last resort:
- when the root system has outgrown the size of the pot;
- when the process of decay of the substrate or roots began.
After the purchase
After purchasing a plant, they ask themselves: how to plant an azalea at home? Transplanting after purchase is a mandatory procedure. For transportation and sale, suppliers place plants in a special substrate in which the plant is uncomfortable to grow for a long time.
On a note! Transplanting an azalea at home is possible only after the adaptation period.
Florists are advised to purchase ready-made soil designed specifically for azaleas. The flower is extremely picky about the composition of the soil and the slightest disturbance in the proportions can lead at least to the development of diseases. It is difficult to prepare the right substrate at home.
Transfer after purchase
The transplant is carried out by the transshipment method. Azalea is thoroughly cleaned of soil mixture and planted in a well-drained container. Watering after transplanting is carried out directly under the root.
After flowering
Transplanting an azalea after flowering includes the following activities:
- First, the buds are cut.
- A special preparation is added to the purchased soil that protects the plant from fungal spores - trichodermin.
- The azalea pot is covered by 1/3 of any drainage material to avoid rotting of the root system.
- To increase the acidity of the soil, a layer of pine bark is laid out on the drainage.
After flowering
How to transplant azalea at home so as not to damage the root system? The procedure is performed as carefully as possible:
The plant is removed from the pot
It is important not to damage the roots at this stage.
The flower, together with a dense earthen lump, is soaked in any stimulating solution for 30-40 minutes.
At this stage, the root processes are carefully examined. If there are diseases or injuries, they are cut off with a sharp knife.
After processing, they are transferred to a new pot and covered with soil for azaleas.
The place for the flower should be as illuminated as possible and be away from heating appliances
The adaptation time directly depends on the variety and the primary state of the bush.
Attention! A diseased root system will prevent azaleas from developing normally.
Reasons for transplant
There are several reasons why this procedure is carried out:
- If there are visible signs of a disease on the ground - mold, fungus.
- If part of the root or the entire root system is damaged.
- For a young bush - annually. For an adult - no more than once every 2-3 years.
- With a strong growth of the root system.
We carry out the reproduction of succulents by children
Propagating succulents by shoots or babies is another way to get a new plant. By removing the shoots from the mother bush, the health of the culture increases, it better processes energy and nutrients. 
The step-by-step procedure looks like this:
Preparing an adult plant. Water the topsoil every day to soften it. This facilitates the easy removal of babies.
Tool blank. We take a sharp knife, immerse it in soapy water. We dip it in an alcohol-based solution, rinse and wipe.
Protection. We put on tight gloves to protect our hands from thorns and germs. The remains of soil are removed from the children to study the condition of the roots. The most successful are the shoots with the formed root system.
Branch. Using a sharp knife, get rid of the rod that connects the baby to the main plant. Then we carefully remove the sprout from the soil without damaging the root system.
Disembarkation. To plant cuttings, use nutritious soil
It is also important to provide a warm temperature so that the succulent plant takes root without stress.
Another video, which shows in detail the method of breeding succulents by children (shoots)
How to transplant a succulent plant (with photos)
Choosing a pot and soil
Have you bought a new plant from the store, or are you wondering how to transplant your home succulent? Let's take a closer look at all the subtleties and landing rules. So that cultivation brings you only joy!
You should start by choosing a pot. Choose the right pot size, it should be a couple of centimeters wider than your plant. For small fleshy individuals, for example, such as Echeveria, Molodilo, Graptoveria, Pachyveria, Sedum, low clay or ceramic pots and pots are suitable. Examples of pots and decoration. For all succulents, wide and low pots are usually used, but for large individuals with a developed root system, a regular pot with a drainage system is suitable.
It is best to replant succulents in spring or summer, so if you purchased a plant in winter, it is best to leave it in a bright place until spring without replanting. Next, you need to purchase drainage (small expanded clay) and land. A store-bought substrate for succulents and cacti of neutral acidity is suitable, to which you can add coarse sand (if the sand is not from a store, it should be calcined on a stove), a little coconut substrate, or small pebbles such as gravel or expanded clay, and charcoal.
The soil should be light, with good moisture and air permeability. It is best to avoid high peat content in the substrate.
We transplant correctly
Before planting, rinse the pot and all tools with hot water. From a plastic pot, the plant is easy to get out by pressing in a circle on the walls. If the pot is ceramic, the soil in the plant must be dry. Gently turning the pot over, we take out our plant. Large plants can be transplanted with a lump of earth (transfer method), and in small plants it is better to very carefully free the roots from the old substrate by rinsing them in boiled water at room temperature.
- We fill in the drainage at the bottom of the pot, if the pot is high, the drainage level is 5-7 cm, 2-3 cm is enough in the low one.Place the prepared substrate on top, which does not need to be tamped, leaving about 2 cm from the top of the pot.Place the plant on the substrate, and fill it from above with sand with small stones, hiding all the roots. You can cover it with the same substrate, but put a thin layer of fine expanded clay on top.
- We put the transplanted plant in a bright place, avoiding drafts and direct sunlight.
Watering and lighting
Watering should be regular about 1-2 times a week in the summer (you can less often, by determining the softness of the leaf), and once every three weeks in the winter. Always make sure the topsoil is dry before the next watering. Use settled or filtered water at room temperature.If your pot does not have a hole at the bottom, you should set a limit on the applied liquid, about 5 ml at a time, if you see that the leaves of the plant have become less fleshy and soft, increase the amount of liquid applied.
The lighting should be good, you can choose a south window to accommodate your friend, but despite the fact that succulents tolerate open sunlight well in the wild, it is better to shade the plant in summer, and gradually accustom it to the bright sun after buying in the store, and also after the cold season.
In some types of succulents, the color of the leaves is directly dependent on the presence of sunlight. For example, such species as Echeveria agave, Red-colored sedum, Echeveria pulidonis, Nussbaumer's sedum, acquire red color in the sun.
Humidity and temperature
Succulents love wet rooms, but don't spray their leaves. Better to use a humidifier in the apartment, or place the plant next to the aquarium. If it is not possible to maintain humidity in the room, provide the plant with fresh air by opening a window, or taking it out onto the balcony in the summer. Avoid drafts.
Succulents tolerate temperature changes well, especially during the day and night. The optimal temperature in summer is +25 -30 degrees during the day and 15-18 degrees at night (in summer you can move the plant to the balcony). In winter, the optimum temperature is 15-20 degrees during the day, 13-15 at night.
Fertilizer
It must be remembered that succulents should not be fed in winter, when they are dormant, and immediately after transplanting. Top dressing can be done in spring - summer during the growth period, in moderation. It is better to purchase special fertilizers for cacti and succulents in flower shops. If you choose from universal fertilizers, you should avoid excess Nitrogen (N) in the composition, because it promotes root decay. It is better to use fertilizers, which in the composition will be the first to contain Potassium (K), the second to Phosphorus (P).
According to reviews, a good fertilizer for cacti and succulents "Pocon" is an approximate cost of 250 rubles. for 250ml.
Why is it necessary to replant cacti after purchase?
How to transplant store-bought cacti? Do not do this immediately after purchasing! Let the flower stand in a new place for about 10 days. During this time, its soil will have time to dry out. Then follow the following diagram:
When the earthen ball is completely dry, remove the plant from the container and inspect carefully.
Pay special attention to the root system, in particular its neck - this is where pests are most often "populated".
Dead roots must be pruned.
If damage was found on the stem itself, then be sure to take care of the elimination of the affected areas.
Sprinkle some activated charcoal over the wound site.
Before planting a cactus, it should be rinsed under water, and hot. The most optimal temperature is 50 ºC.
It is advisable to add a little insecticide to the water - this will completely get rid of diseases
You need to bathe not only the roots, but the whole cactus.
It is not necessary to plant it in the ground immediately after the "bath". Let it dry in a warm place for about 4 days. The plant must be placed in an upright position.
Only after the flower is completely dry can it be transplanted into a new soil substrate. In no case do not use the soil that was purchased with the plant in the store.
How to find the right container?
How a cactus will grow, and whether it will at all, directly depends on the qualities of the pot: its size, the presence of drainage holes, the material of manufacture. And so that later you do not have to transplant the poor man for a long time and painfully, it is better to immediately approach the choice of a pot with all seriousness.
Dimensions (edit)
The first factor is the size of the pot. The development of the plant's root system will depend on the size, and, as a result, itself.
The size of the pot should be selected in proportion to the cactus and its roots:
- If the roots of the cactus are tap or turnip, you should purchase a deep pot. In a pot of insufficient depth, the root will hit the ground and begin to rot.
- For cacti with a fibrous root system, wide pots are suitable. The diameter should match the size of the root.
A cactus is transplanted every 2-3 years, while increasing the size of the pot by 1-2 cm, it should always be larger than the roots by this amount. However, it is worth noting that if the growth and flowering of the succulent does not stop, then the "move" can be postponed. What happens if you neglect the size of the pot?
-
Too big. If you plant a small cactus in a pot that is too large, then after a while it will lead to its death due to excessive moisture and acidification of the soil (which soil is suitable for cacti?).
Can't get a smaller pot? You can increase the level of expanded clay at the bottom, thereby reducing the level of the soil, so that only the roots and root collar of the cactus are in the ground. - Too small. The roots of the cactus will eventually rest against the walls of the pot, which, without timely transplantation, will lead to decay of the roots and death of the plant.
What material is better to choose?
The second factor will be the material. The two most common container materials are clay and plastic. Pottery is considered traditional for growing a plant. The material of manufacture is popular due to its useful properties, but it also has disadvantages.
The obvious advantages include:
- Porosity.
- Resilience that allows taller species to be grown in them.
- The ability to retain its shape better than plastic counterparts.
- The ability to quickly evaporate moisture.
But on the other hand:
- Great weight.
- Rapid evaporation leads to accelerated formation of a salt layer (white bloom) on the inside of the container, which ultimately causes alkalization of the soil.
- The same evaporation forces you to water the plant more and more often (read about how to properly water a cactus here).
Plastic, called "plastic" in stores, the counterpart appeared not so long ago, but has already occupied its own niche. There are disposable and reusable plastic pots, depending on the price, and have the following properties.
Positive:
- Low price compared to clay.
- Low weight.
- Convenience in storage and transportation.
Disadvantages:
The plastic walls do not allow moisture to pass through. Therefore, in order to avoid root decay, watering should be limited.
Important! On a cactus in a plastic container, you should spend no more than a third of the water that is spent on watering in clay.
The second drawback follows from the first drawback: the earth will dry out unevenly, so the surface can be dry when there is still moisture at depth.
So which should you choose?
- For small plants, plastic works much better than clay. Due to the small size of the pot, and, therefore, the soil in it, evaporation will occur at a sufficient rate, and less watering will not harm the roots.
- For larger succulents, clay is a better option. Due to its stability, the clay pot will support the weight of the earth and large plant without tipping over.
The form
The third factor is form. If the size depends on the type of succulent chosen, then the shape of the pot is only an aesthetic preference for the gardener. It is worth noting that square pots will take up less space, but this is the only thing that can affect the choice.
Can you plant in a container without holes?
The fourth factor will be the holes in the bottom of the pot.
Their presence is no less important than its size, because the holes do not allow the liquid to stagnate, thereby saving the roots from decay. A cactus cannot exist in a pot without them or with a small number of them.
Echeveria: home care
Subject to certain rules, a stone rose will be able to decorate any windowsill, grow in places that most plants do not like (for example, on the south side), and even delight with annual flowering. For echeveria, care is minimal, and the result will delight flower growers for many years.
Temperature
The succulent Echeveria, like many of its other relatives, is undemanding to temperature conditions. In summer, during the growing season, it can withstand temperatures up to 27-30 ° C, in winter 10-12 ° C is considered the best option. In winter, this will help the laying of powerful peduncles for the next year. But room temperature is also suitable if it is not possible to remove the plant in a cool room.
Lighting
Very light-loving flower. For its cultivation, southern windows are perfect, which many indoor flowers avoid. However, young plants should be taught to bright light gradually to avoid sunburn. But later, it is in the sun that they feel best, the leaves acquire an interesting burgundy edging, and the resulting flowers are a real miracle. And this succulent will bloom in a sunny hot weather more magnificent, brighter and longer. Despite the fact that this plant is considered picky about the length of daylight hours, it is worth taking care that at least during the period of active growth it was at least 10-12 hours. For this, many transplant it from home to fresh air for the summer the side of the site where there is most of the sunlight.
Important! This plant adapts perfectly to open areas and will decorate any alpine slide in the garden.
Alpine slide with stone roses
Watering
The plant perfectly tolerates dry air, therefore, it is impossible to spray it from a spray bottle in any case, with an excess of moisture, leaf rot is possible. In the warm season, watering is necessary only as needed, when the earthen lump dries out completely. When planting outdoors, watering is necessary only in case of dry summers. In winter, when the air temperature is low, it is necessary to water it once every two weeks, at normal temperature - as needed, only with settled water. Watering only basal, so as not to hit the outlet.
Spraying
Spraying should be avoided even in the hottest weather, as this Mexican plant is adapted to dry air, but does not tolerate accumulation of moisture on the leaves. To remove dust, the leaves are wiped with a slightly damp cloth.
Important! You can not even wipe the plants if they have lint or plaque. For these varieties, this can be disastrous.
Plant growth in the wild
Humidity
Echeveria does not like rooms with excessive air humidity, preferring dry ones. Also, soil moisture does not play a big role for it. She will calmly endure even a small period of drought.
Priming
An excellent soil option would be a ready-made substrate for cacti or succulents. Plants grow and develop beautifully there. But for those flower growers who prefer to make their own soil mixture, there is the following option:
- clay-sod land (3 parts);
- leafy rotted earth (1 part);
- coarse river sand (1 part);
- brick chips (1 part).
Important! It is imperative to prepare drainage, expanded clay is best suited as it, without it it will be difficult to grow a plant
Top dressing
They feed a stone rose during the growing season, in winter the subcortex is completely canceled. You need to apply mineral fertilizers for succulents or cacti, which are sold in stores. No organic fertilizers needed. It is also worth avoiding excess nitrogen, this can lead to the development of some fungal diseases. Do not feed the plant too often, as excess fertilizer can damage the delicate roots of the plant.
Important! If the top layer of the substrate is regularly replaced, the subcrust can be omitted at all.
Step by step description
Before transplanting succulents at home, you should take care of a suitable container in advance, stock up on the appropriate soil. If the plant has thorns, additional hand protection must be prepared. In addition to special gloves, when transplanting cacti, pieces of foam or thick cardboard are used.
Plant preparation
A week before the planned procedure, succulents stop watering. This allows the soil to dry out and cause less damage to the perennial roots during transplantation.
The plant is removed as carefully as possible, slightly rocking the ground part in a horizontal position. When working with thorns, capture the leaves with a dense material
The extracted succulent is inspected for damaged roots. Dried, diseased areas are cut off with a sharp knife, sprinkled with an antiseptic. If the lumps of earth are firmly attached to the roots, they are gently washed off with a shower. Adult, healthy specimens can be transplanted together with the remnants of the earth, using the transshipment method.
The choice of capacity and soil
A flower pot for a succulent must have holes for excess water to escape. Additional drainage function in the natural aeration of the root system. There is no single correct option regarding the material of the dish. In ceramic pots, it is easier to maintain a constant soil temperature. The disadvantage is the accumulation of salts on the porous walls of the pottery. Plastic containers do not protect against temperature changes, but they are easier to clean and allow you to quickly remove the succulent during transplantation.
The size of the bowl is more important. The diameter should be 1-2 cm larger than the root system. Tall succulents are transplanted into a container in accordance with the length of the main root. A space of 2-3 cm is left free.
Landing
A small layer of small pebbles or expanded clay is placed in the prepared pot. Sprinkle with a thin layer of substrate. Gently spread the roots of the plant over the surface of the soil, again sprinkle it with earth. The soil around the roots is slightly pressed with your fingers so that voids do not form. The junction of the ground and underground parts of the succulent should be 1 cm above the ground.
How to water?
Watering, first of all, is the process of observing a plant: if it begins to wrinkle, deflate, loses its color brightness, then it needs to drink. If, on the contrary, the succulent becomes soft or its stem darkens, then it was too abundantly watered. In this case, it will be very difficult to stop the decay and, most likely, the overflow victim will die.
Therefore, regarding succulents, there is an important rule: you need to water in moderation.
Watering errors that should not be made:
- water every day;
- pouring water onto the aboveground part of the plant;
- irrigate the succulent with cold water.
To water a succulent at home, no special tools are needed, you do not need to fill your head with information about drip or fetil watering, any other difficulties must also be omitted. To water the succulent, it is enough to use a regular watering can.
It is necessary to irrigate the plant with water at room temperature, you need to pour it directly under the root, trying not to get on the leaves. After watering, if the process takes place in the cold season, you must not open the windows. The moist soil should not freeze over, otherwise the roots will rot. You also need to make sure that the water is completely absorbed into the ground and there are no puddles on the surface of the soil, which can also lead to rotting of the root system.
If you can't water the succulent at the root, it can be done in the usual way - irrigate from above, but then the excess water that has got on the leaves must be removed mechanically, that is, soak it with a napkin, toilet paper, or put the plant literally in the sun for a few minutes , but sheltered from direct rays, a place.
Do not water succulents on the day of transplant.That is why it is advised to transplant the plant only after it comes out of hibernation (early-mid-spring) and gets stronger again.
When watering, the following nuances are taken into account.
- Indoor air humidity. The higher this indicator, the less often watering should occur.
- Drafts. Do not irrigate plants in direct streams of cold air.
- Flower size. A small succulent plant needs small doses of water and vice versa.
- Pot material. Water evaporates much faster from clay pots than from plastic ones.
- pH of water. Homemade succulents need to be watered with soft water.
For information on how to water and care for succulents, see the next video.
