QuestionHow to grow a donkeys tail from cutting from a mother plant. My Madagascar palm has a mushy base and I replanted it in dry cactus soil mix.What should I do? It is 6 inches tall and it has been happy for about 3 years and about a week ago I found it leaning over and the base was mushy. The old soil was mushy and smelled weird. There was white stuff in the water catcher that it sits on.Please help me.
Matt M
AnswerHi Matt,
You have two unrelated questions here. For future reference, it is best to post the questions separately.
Your Donkey or Burro Tail (Sedum morganianum)can be propagated easily. Place the small leaves on top of slightly damp, sandy soil and they will put out tiny roots and grow from there. It is also possible to propagate a stem cutting by inserting it about an inch into a damp, sandy potting mix. Warm temps and good light both help hasten the rooting time no matter which method you try.
Your Madagascar Palm (Pachypodium lamerei) is probably beyond recovery. They do not tolerate soil that stays moist for long otherwise their roots rot and that is what has happened to yours. Cut off the lower portion that is mushy. Replant the remaining healthy portion in a pot that is very small. The potting mix should be very porous (lots of sand or perlite mixed in). If you provide lots of direct sun, warm temps and water sparingly, you may get it to develop new roots. At best, it will be a long, slow process.
Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.
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Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
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