QuestionQUESTION: I have (had)a 6 inch tall propeller plant (Crassula Falcata) and in moving it to a sunnier location I broke off the top 3 inches. I would love to propagate (root) it but not sure how? It is drying right now , not sure how long to dry and if I need rooting hormone or what? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
ANSWER: Hello Sharon,
You are doing the right thing by allowing the broken part of your plant to dry - if you are going to root all the leaves separately I would let them dry out for a couple of days, if you choose to root the entire 3 inch part that broke off leave for perhaps a week.
Push the ends of the leaves or the 3inch part into the compost and cover the surface with sharp sand. Personally I would separate the leaves and plant them individually as, in this way, you will have several new plants and also it will be insurance against any not "taking" although succulents are easy to propagate normally. Water sparingly and there is no need to cover with polythene or glass neither is rooting powder necessary.
Hopefully you will have several new plants in the future. Good Luck
Diana
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Diana,
Thanks for your suggestions. What kind of compost do you suggest? I have "cactus soil". I also am not sure what you mean by sharp sand? I have never tried this before. thanks again. Sharon
AnswerDear Sharon,
If you have a special soil for cactus it may already include sand - check on the bag. By sharp sand I mean sand which can be bought in a garden centre not sand from the beach. I have a feeling, dredged up from years ago when I had a florist and plant shop, that builder's sand is also sharp sand. I will do a bit of investigating and let you know.
Diana
P.S follow up on sand - builder's sand is also considered sharp sand but it is finer than the sand you can buy at a garden centre and is, therefore, not so suitable. Being finer it may clog up the compost which is the opposite effect you want, so my advice is to purchase from a garden centre.
