Propagation of Succulent

by Lou
(Hoboken, NJ, USA)

Potting Mix

Potting Mix

Hi Jacki,

I am planning on propagating the succulent piece in the photo below by placing the piece on a bed of potting mix soil below.

I have grow lights and windows facing east and west. Should I place soil + succulent under the grow lights or in front of any of the windows?

Thanks

Lou

Comments for Propagation of Succulent

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Mar 23, 2021
 Light
by: Jacki Cammidge, Certified Horticulturist

The best light is natural, but it's even better lengthened by grow lights. Is it possible to do both? That would be ideal. If not, I would go

1st choice: west window
2nd choice: grow lights
3rd choice: east window
Mar 23, 2021
 Window Facings
by: Lou

Thanks Jackie

I can do a combination of natural light and grow light

the natural light will be from sunup to sundown ... how many additional hours outside of sunup to sundown would i need to put the succulent cutting under the grow light ?

thanks

lou
Mar 23, 2021
 12 hours
by: Jacki

12 hours of light would be ideal. If you could put the lights near the west window, then put them to come on early in the morning and then go off after 8pm, the additional natural light will be perfect.
Mar 23, 2021
 Let there be light
by: Lou

Thanks Jacki

Sorry I didn't explain myself properly. I only can do natural light OR grow lights.. I can't do both simultaneously. I can do natural light for a period and then move the succulent and do grow light for another period.

What would you recommend?

Thanks

Lou
Mar 23, 2021
 Another thing
by: Jacki

Just looking at the picture of your lights. These are not going to work, they need to be a maximum of about four inches from the foliage of the plant.
Mar 23, 2021
 Another thing
by: Jacki

I would use the natural light then - the grow lights would not be enough.

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day 3 of propagation attempt

by Lou
(Hoboken, NJ, USA)


hi Jacki... how does it look to you?

Thanks

Lou

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Mar 27, 2021
 Often...
by: Jacki

Quite often, with propagation, things look worse before they get better. The leaves still look good, which is the main thing.

Keep an eye on it, but don't get into a panic about it. There will be a lot of disappointments, but then the successes make up for it. And you'll be learning all the way.

Couple of notes; the best propagation material is healthy and strong - these tiny pieces that you're dealing with are healthy enough, but they are stressed (or at least, the mother plant was). Be prepared for them to wither up, but they might surprise you!

You could cover the ends of the stems with some small gravel, like turkey grit or similar. This just enables a tiny amount of moisture to be present, as there will be condensation on them. Once the ends are dried out (calloused) then you can start to use a tiny amount of water, away from the foliage, on the surface of the soil.
Mar 27, 2021
 propagation
by: Lou

thanks Jacki... I will prepare for the worst, but hope for the best :)

Lou

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Propagation attempt Day 6

by Lou
(Hoboken, NJ, USA)

Propagation Attempt

Propagation Attempt

Hi Jacki

Please see my propagation attempt day 6

Per your advice I am going to cover the roots in the grit picture, also to mist the dirt with water... is there anything else I should do?.. by the photos is there any hope of propagation?

Thanks

Lou

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Mar 31, 2021
 Never give up
by: Jacki

I never give up until there is absolutely no chance of any rooting. For instance, if the stem is completely shriveled or rotting. As long as the leaves are green, there is still a chance.

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Update on Propagation Attempt

by Lou
(Hoboken, NJ, USA)

Grit + Update

Grit + Update

Hi Jacki,

Please see the 7th day update of our propagation attempt. I have added the grit over the roots per your recommendation.

Thanks

Lou

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Apr 03, 2021
 I think...
by: Jacki

I think you're going to have success! They look really good.
Apr 03, 2021
 Propagate Attempt
by: Lou

Hi Jacki thanks!

When should I check on them again .. in another week?

Thanks

Lou
Apr 03, 2021
 What do you mean?
by: Jacki

What do you mean, check? To see if there are roots? Yes, as long as they look good, (green and not shriveling, going brown etc) leave them where they are. They seem to be happy.

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1 month into propagation efforts

by Louis
(Hoboken, NJ USA)

Hi Jacki,

Please see attached photos. I don't think there is any propagation going on after 1 month.. any advice?

Thanks

Lou

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May 09, 2021
 Correction
by: Jacki Cammidge, Certified Horticulturist

Propagation is the process of rooting cuttings. What you mean is that there is no rooting taking place, but I think you'll find that it will happen quickly now. The cutting looks great, leaves are plump, no rotting, so be patient. It will take as long as it takes, not a moment sooner.

What I would do now is to dibble a hole and place the cutting upright in it.
May 10, 2021
 Not rotting is actually a form of success!
by: Leah

I am improving my success rate in keeping succulents alive and have had slow success sticking accidentally broken bits of delosperma into well draining soil and half shade. That works here in an extreme desert. Other varieties have either shriveled up from the leaf or rotted from the root :(
In short , DON’T GIVE UP!

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