The New Plant Collector: The Next Adventure in Your House Plant Journey by Darryl Cheng

Author:Darryl Cheng [Cheng, Darryl]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Gardening, Container, House Plants & Indoor, Techniques, Nature, Plants, General
ISBN: 9781419761508
Google: bqMW0AEACAAJ
Amazon: 1419761501
Barnesnoble: 1419761501
Goodreads: 195660500
Publisher: Abrams Image
Published: 2024-03-19T04:00:00+00:00

EXPECTATIONS

The secret to eternal succulent life is propagation. The plant you originally bought will eventually grow leggy—sooner with less light. Experienced succulent growers know the cycle of succulent life:

• “Perfect rosette” (1–2 years with good light; a few months with poor light).

• Plant becomes tall and awkward.

• Cut off the top and transplant it to soil (1–2 months to establish roots).

• Propagate the lower leaves (3–6 months to make small plants).

What happens if you do nothing? The tip will continue growing well beyond the pot, and the plant may eventually fall over. While you can certainly leave it this way, the plant will be more manageable if kept smaller. But you may also enjoy the unique character of a trailing succulent.

Echeveria ‘Blue Bird’—most of the lower leaves have died off (left). Time to remove them and take a top cutting (right). This can be planted directly into a suitable succulent substrate. Moisten the substrate whenever it is partially dry and, in a few weeks, it should take root.

Succulent leaf propagation: The month-old leaf cuttings being moistened (left) are starting to form roots. They received about 800 FC for 12 hours a day and sat on a heat mat, which raised the soil temperature to around 30 C (86 F). Six months later (right), the rosettes have fully formed and the original leaves used for propagation have withered away. The plant is Echeveria ‘Perle von Nürnberg’, known for its gentle purple/blue leaves, which become more intense with higher light—you might even get some red tips.

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