Succulents are a great plant to learn propagation for new houseplant gardeners. They do not require specialized equipment or hormone powders to be successful and can be done in the same way for virtually any type of succulent. Aeoniums come in two types which can be propagated easily by stem cuttings at any time of the year.
Methods To Propagate Aeonium
Cuttings of newer stems are the most reliable method for propagating Aeonium. The thinner side shoots will grow roots quickly when placed in well well-draining growing medium. Avoid using stems that have flowered, as this part of the plant will naturally die back once the blooms are spent and do not have the energy to form new root shoots. Leggy stems of Aeonium are also good to use for cuttings. They can be planted deeper in the growing medium to form a more compact shape.
Best Rooting Media To Propagate Aeonium
The medium you use for rooting Aeonium cuttings requires excellent drainage and does not need high levels of nutrients. A potting mix specifically formulated for cacti and succulents is quick, easy, and widely available at garden centers and plant nurseries.
Homemade mixes are also easy to put together and may be more economical if you have a large number of plants to start or repot. One-part potting mix or finished compost mixed with 2 parts of a fast-draining material like sharp sand, pumice, or finely washed pea gravel will work for growing and starting most succulent plants. Stay away from potting mixes with peat moss as these tend to hold moisture for long periods and cause the cuttings to rot before they grow roots.
Steps To Propagate Aeonium
Step 1 - Cut a 4-6 inch stem length with fresh top growth that has not bloomed.
Step 2 - Allow the cutting to cure for 3-4 days before planting in the starting medium. This will form a callous over the cut end of the stem which discourages any rot from forming before roots can begin growing.
Step 3 - Fill a small but tall pot with your chosen potting medium that is pre-moistened.
Step 4 - Slide the cutting into the pot so that at least half of the stem is above soil level.
Step 5 - Water from the top (gently so as not to disrupt the potting medium) or from the bottom in a basin of filtered tap or rainwater.
Caring For Aeonium Cuttings
Place the cutting in bright indirect light away from fans or heat vents. Misting is not necessary as too high humidity could cause your cuttings to rot before striking roots. Water very sparingly so that the potting medium stays barely dry. Roots should begin to grow within a few weeks. New leaf growth from the middle of a rosette indicates that the new roots are able to support new top growth and that the cutting is ready to be transplanted to a larger pot.
Transplanting Aeonium Cuttings
Transplant the cutting to a pot one size larger than the one you used for propagation. Fill the new container halfway with a good draining potting mix blended for succulents and cacti. Remove the new plant from the outgrown pot gently to avoid disturbing the root ball. Place the rootball in the new pot and fill around the plant so that the potting mix is ½ -1 inch from the top of the pot.
Top off the soil with a thin layer of sharp sand, fine pea gravel, or vermiculite to keep the soil from splashing on the plant during watering. Fertilize once or twice during the growing period in early spring with an all-purpose houseplant or succulent food. Water-soluble formulations used at half the recommended dosage are ideal.
Sources: “Propagating Succulents and Cacti” Illinois Extension, www.extension.illinois.edu
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Author Robbin Small - Published 12-27-2024 |