Succulents are loved by more and more people because of their cute appearance and easy maintenance. Leaf cuttings propagation is a common method for succulent plant propagation, which is simple to operate and has a high success rate. This article will detail how succulents propagate by leaf cuttings.
First, choose the right blade.
Selection of healthy leaves: The success rate of propagation by leaf cuttings is closely related to the health of the leaves. Therefore, when choosing leaves, choose healthy, pest-free and damage-free leaves. The leaves should be bright in color and full in texture.
Select mature leaves: Mature leaves have a high reproductive capacity. In general, the more mature the leaves, the higher the success rate of propagation by leaf cuttings. Leaf maturity can be judged by looking at the shape, color, and texture of the leaf.
Choose the right number of leaves: When propagating by cuttings, you can choose the right number of leaves according to your personal preferences and needs. In general, a healthy leaf can give birth to a new succulent.
2. Prepare tools and materials.
Tools: scissors, tweezers, watering cans, etc.
Materials: soil with good air permeability, seedling pots or seedling boxes, special fertilizers for succulents, etc.
3. Carry out leaf cuttings propagation.
Clean the leaves: Before cutting the leaves, spray them with a watering can with some water to keep the leaves moist. Then use tweezers or scissors to gently scrape off the dust on the stomata on the back of the leaf to facilitate the absorption of water and nutrients by the leaf.
Cut the leaves: Use scissors or tweezers to cut a healthy leaf from the mother plant. It is better to cut the leaves with a section of stem, which can increase the success rate of leaf cuttings.
Dry the leaves: Put the cut leaves in a ventilated and cool place to dry, generally need to dry for 1-2 days. During the drying process, avoid direct sunlight to avoid damage to the leaves.
Insert into the soil: Apply some rooting powder to the wound of the leaf after drying, then insert the incision of the leaf with the incision facing down into the soil with good air permeability. The depth of insertion into the soil is generally about half the length of the leaf. Be careful not to insert the leaves too deep so as not to affect rooting.
Watering and moisturizing: Place the leaves inserted into the soil in a ventilated, shaded area and spray some water with a watering can every day to keep the soil moist. In the early stage of leaf cuttings, it is necessary to maintain a high humidity to facilitate leaf rooting.
Transplanting: After the leaves have taken root, the newborn succulents can be transplanted into seedling pots or seedling boxes. Care should be taken when transplanting to avoid damaging the new root system. After transplantation, continue to maintain good ventilation and humidity conditions to promote the growth of succulents.
4. Precautions.
The best seasons for propagation by cuttings are spring and autumn, when the temperature is moderate and conducive to the growth of succulents.
In the process of leaf cuttings propagation, it is necessary to pay attention to the growth of succulents, and find and deal with diseases and pests in time.