Find out how the secret to preparing succulent cuttings for propagating. It’s necessary to let succulent cuttings harden off so that they can form roots when you plant them. Find out where to cut them and how for rooting success.
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Today, we are starting a series on propagating succulents. We’ll begin with an important part of the process: taking cuttings for the succulents you’re going to propagate.
Here, I have some jade plants that have been grown from cuttings. As you can see, they’re looking really good. You can grow them in a single pot or in a six-pack pot. These are peat pots, which are excellent for propagating succulents as they breathe well, preventing the cuttings from getting too damp as they take root.
When taking succulent cuttings, you want to cut near a leaf node. The reason for this is that rooting hormone is present at the leaf node. Cut right at the base of the leaves, and generally, you’ll want to remove the lower leaves before propagating.
It’s crucial not to plant the cutting immediately after taking it. If you were to stick a fresh cutting into a rooting mix (such as a combination of sand, soil, and pumice), soil bacteria could enter the stem, causing it to rot. Instead, you need to let the cutting “harden off” or callus over.
A cutting that has properly hardened off will have a brown, dried tip. This callused end allows the plant to take root rather than rot. The hardening off process can take up to a week or more, depending on your climate. In moist climates, it may take longer, while in dry or hot climates, it could be quicker.
When taking cuttings, be careful not to cut into the stem when removing leaves. Also, remove any stem portions that aren’t close to leaves, as these don’t have leaf nodes (which serve as root nodes where new roots will form).
Remember, succulents store water in their leaves, so cuttings can sit around for a while before propagation. This gives you some flexibility in timing.
That concludes the first stage of propagating succulents: taking your cuttings and letting them harden off. In future videos, we’ll cover the next steps in the propagation process.
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