Question
Hi Darlene;
not an engineer, an awesome dentist - but very humble, and with extremely little knowledge in
the horticultural world.  I love picking your brain.  Any tooth questions - ask me.  I have fumbled
with plants for many years, but I would very much like to know the why's.  thank you for your
input.
Thanx
Peter -------------------------
Followup To
Question -
thanx for the speedy response.  I am ecstatic to have such
knowledge at my fingertips.  the site with the sanseviera picture is muextension.missouri.edu/
xplor/agguides/hort/g06560.htm  .  I have a 3 tier floralight with 2 - 40watt aglights in each 4
foot light.  You said to mix potting soil with sand.  Would I use regular potting soil, and what
percentage sand to potting soil and what kind of sand?  Why will the new plant be plain green
and how do you keep it variegated?  Sorry, more than 1 question and I think I am being quite
anal about the whole thing.  But being the type of person that I am, I want to know why things
happen the way they do.
Thanx again
Peter-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
Hi again;
I read on the net that the sanseviera can be propagated by leaf
cuttings.  Could you please explain how I would do it.
thanx again for your help.
Peter
Answer -
Peter,

I searched the web to see if I could find a site with pictures on this subject but I could not so you
will have to bear with my explanation. Spring is the best time to propagate any houseplant when
the days are lengthening, but it will work this time of year, just not as fast as in the spring.

Take a long leaf and cut it in sections with each section being 3-4" long. Very important, keep
track of which end of each cutting was toward the soil. You might even want to take a Sharpie
and put a small x on each side of the cutting on the end toward the soil. Then each cutting needs
to lie on a table in an airy location for 2 days. While they dry prepare a pot of potting soil mixed
with sand. After 2 days dip the root end of each cutting in rooting hormone powder (Rootone)
and then insert that rooting end of each cutting in the pot os fresh soil. Water it lightly so it is
barely moist. Set it in a bright location then just be patient. It will take about 4 weeks for the
cuttings to root.  If the plant is a variegated sansevieria with the golden edges the new plants
that grow will be the plain green.
Good luck!
Darlene
Answer -
Peter,

Use 50% regular potting soil and 50% builders sand or play sand available at Lowes or Home
Dpot. Or, if it is easier you can use cactus soil.

The variegated sanseviera is a hybrid and the yellow stripe does not come through on the plants
grown from cuttings. I can't give you any better reason than that. The only way to keep the
stripes is to wait patiently for the plant to send out side shoots and fill the pot then you can
divide it and the plants will keep the variegation. I have a large pot of sansevieria and half have
the stripes and half don't. I consider both to the handsome plants. This plant does like to be
rootbound and will bloom eventually when the plant is several years old and rootbound.
Just curious, are you an engineer?
Good luck,
Darlene

Answer
Peter,

Thank you for the compliment, I am glad I can help you and I appreciate people who want the reasons for plant problems. I neglected to tell you that I think your light system sounds great for propagating the sanseveiria. Good luck.

Darlene