Succulent propagation: A beginner guide

Succulent propagation: A much-needed art to acquire

Who won’t love to decorate their garden with stunning arrangements of natural beauties and that too without spending a hefty amount? For a garden owner replanting a variety is a repetitive job. And, every gardener wants to find out methods of succulent propagation. Besides that, who wouldn’t like to gift these natural beauties from their garden to their friends and close ones?

Succulents have become the favorite of garden lovers, not only because they are easy to care for and do well in adverse conditions. Their ease to propagate and that too from their main plant is an added advantage of them.

Techniques for succulent propagation

Gardening experts have come up with a lot of methods and techniques to multiply their charisma without spending much effort and extra money. Propagating succulent is much easier than regular plants; of course, one can use seeds for having new ones. But using techniques to have one from your existing succulent has its benefits:

  • No need to run to market or surf through multiple online stores to find the right seed or baby plant for your garden. Hence, the efforts are minimized a lot.
  • It is cost-effective, as you don’t have to spend extra money on seeds, plants, etc.
  • As you are propagating from your older plant in the garden, hence the chances of having a healthier plant is higher. Because they are already familiar to your garden environment. New seeds and plants are more vulnerable to new places.
  • Doing propagation on your own brings you close to your succulents and gardening. You get to know your plant better, its needs, its vulnerabilities, etc.

However, propagating succulents by self requires some know-how of tips and methods. Which might help you have the best of your succulents in terms of propagation. Because propagation is a broad concept, a lot of factors are involved in it. From succulent variety to propagation season to multiple techniques to do it.

Propagation techniques are divided into two parts when coming to methods to propagate a succulent.

1.Division

It is further bifurcated into two easy methods, depending on the part of the succulent we are using for propagation.

Offset separation

Offset separation is a simple method to remove mini plants from their primary plants, originated to become self-dependent.

You must be excited to know that some succulent varieties like Hen and chicks, Barrel cactus, etc. are famous for having easy offset propagation. They produce offsets that are kind of especially born for propagation.

You only have to separate the offset carefully from the main plant, and then plant it in new soil, and take little and necessary care. And you are ready with one more charming beauty in your garden.

Root separation

As you must be getting from the heading, root separation is a simple method of digging up the main plant. And then grabbing a bunch of roots out of it, you can replant them in a new ground.

Roots separation has its benefits as you have a well-grown set of roots from the start. Like you can put the separated roots directly into the soil. Unlike some other methods, where one places them in water or smaller soil lump earlier.

However, it could be troublesome doing it for large plants. As, unearthing them whole to pick a bunch of roots could be harmful for the plant’s existence.

Digging up small plants for root separation can also have some ill effects. As, that plant might not have got a firm set of roots till then, and pulling it from soil might damage it. So, you have to be careful while doing it, and much before that, you should gather some info about your succulent variety.

2.Cutting

It directly means that you cut a part of your main succulent to create a sapling for a new one. Of course, it has got some methods and techniques to do it the proper way.

Removing Leaves

A popular method, suitable for the succulent varieties, those shoot out small hairs from their leaves for propagation. One only needs to remove some leaves from the main plant, store them for drying out. And, when they grow some roots, you can plant them with care.

This method has its advantage, as you don’t have to put in a lot of effort into having an offspring like in the root separation. Also, it is more favorable for the succulent to grow a bunch of roots on their own. But, it has one disadvantage also, as this method is time-consuming. As, your leaves will take time to grow a set of roots.

But, if you have got time and a succulent of favorable variables in your garden, this method can do wonders for you.

Decapitating 

No, this method doesn’t involve any murder or bloodshed. Jokes apart, this method involve the techniques to tear off the top part of your succulent to have a healthy offspring. It is a preferable method for succulent’s that are tall and gangly and often move downwards. For, they can’t remain straightened after a length.

It is a simple technique; you only have to cut off the head of a plant with some stem parts. And you leave it for drying until it grows some roots, and then you plant it in new soil. While, the main plant grows a new set of leaves after removal of the extra ones, turning it into a better-looking one later. The only thing that goes against this method is the time that it takes for the beheaded part to dry and to grow some roots.

But, with some favorable varieties, this technique is a must-do thing and doesn’t involve much effort, just a little care, and some tools.

Steps for succulent propagation through cutting

Now, when we are familiar with some popular techniques in succulent gardening. We can look forward to the steps of this whole procedure. So, we can favorably perform the entire task.

a)Removing or cutting an offset

Select some leaves or part from your main succulent for removing, now with the help of scissors or clippers, cut that part. You can choose the bottom part of the plant for beheading, just an inch below the lower leaves, you can say.

b)Drying out

After the removal of the desired part, you can put it in a separate container. After some days, they will dry out and have a compact skin formation on them. It will prevent the soft tissues from bacterial penetration.

c)Growing roots

After the hard skin or callus falls off, a new bunch of roots will emerge from the removed part or leaves. While on the other side, the main plant will be flourishing even better with a decreased load of old part and a new source of food from fallen leaves. Sometimes roots can be grown by putting that part in water. But, that depends on succulent variety and circumstances.

d)Plant in the ground 

Roots are showing up; now you have to arrange for a well-drained container. Fill it with a desirable potting mix, choose a suitable place for putting the pot if you have an indoor garden. For an outdoor garden, you can prepare your garden bed.

And in the morning or evening sunshine, plant your offset in the perlite and sand mix. Mound up the soil beside the newly sown plant, and tap it down lightly to affirm the roots. And, then leave it for overnight.

e)Nourish the plant 

You can water your baby succulent the next day. Soon your plant will adjust to the new surroundings. And, you can continue the care according to general guidelines.

Tips to consider during succulent propagation

Propagating succulents is an easy task, but you need to take care while doing it. And also, after your baby succulent is sown in new ground, because they are quite vulnerable in the staring period.

  • Before cutting the succulent for offset, prepare your set of scissors, clippers, garden gloves, trowels, and potting container with soil.
  • One can grow roots in beheaded parts by putting them in water, in some cases. It is favorable for the varieties that like humid surroundings.
  • Use the right mix for potting soil and perlite for giving baby succulents better breeding ground. And then water your succulent as per requirement, as excess one might rot them.
  • Baby plants need sunlight to thrive, so give them bright sunlight every day for nourishment. However, take care that they may wither in the harsh afternoon sunlight. As, they have soft newly born leaves and parts.

Final words on succulent propagation

Filled with the knowledge gathered from this article, hopefully, you must be excited to give the propagation methods a try in your garden. So, what are you waiting for; collect your tools, select your baby, and move ahead with the propagation techniques, and decorate your garden with the unlimited charm of these lovelies!