Leaf Propagation ?s

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

This is one of my first leaf propagation attempts and these plantlets just don't seem to be thriving. I first pulled the leaves from the mother plant at the end of April. I started with these in individual pots (where they were simply not rooting) and now in a communial pot. They are rooting better now but look weaker everyday. No growth. Perhaps, the pot is too big or I'm moving them around too much. I've had them outside, in most shade but some morning sun-maybe they need more sun. The one that was attached to the stem and not a leaf in an individual pot, has taken off. I hope these guys start to show me some growth, soon they'll be headed inside.

Then

Now

And my Fred Ives is trending the same way-the one in the individual pot seems to be thriving more. Although, these are doing better in general.

Maybe it's just a sunlight issue! I'm not sure but I have a bunch more that will be potted up in the near future and I hope these little ones pull through.

Featured Answer

mesembs

9 years ago

They don't look too bad! When I propagate from leaf (which is not that often, I admit), I like to keep them out of intense sunlight until they have a well developed root system. Usually I keep them on a bright windowsill. You may be keeping them in too much sun or heat. Just a guess.

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Comments (7)

nicoleteste7
Original Author
9 years ago
Mesembs you're probably right! I start them in a saucer on a bright windowsill and wait until I seen a decent plantlet with roots and move to outside shade then some light. It would receive a lot more light in a day and less harsh temps if I put them back where they started! It's worth a try. I don't think they look terrible either. Their growth has just really stunted-almost the same size as when I potted them up and moved them out.
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niksouthafrica
9 years ago
They look pretty good to me. How often are you watering? I need to water mine regularly to get them to thrive
nicoleteste7
Original Author
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I'm spritzing them thoroughly once a week. They don't get drenched when it rains, but slightly dripped on and moisture in the air a couple times a week in addition to that.
niksouthafrica
9 years ago
That sounds ok although I water whenever they are dry. My leaf-propagations grow very slowly, it takes months to get them to a good size and some leaves need to be soaked in water for 24 yours before they will root at all. I think a lot depends on temperatures and humidity
rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Nik

Must be your climate - if I soaked leaves in water, they would rot.

My method is to lay them on whatever substrate and forget about them. I don't put them in sunlight and do not water until mother leaf is just about spent. Almost all grow.

Fred Ives is almost a weed - that's how easy they grow. All of these except 2 large ones on top were grown from the leaves. The large ones too, some time ago; but they were very etiolated last winter and were beheaded (btw, that is 12" terracotta bowl):

More from the leaves (I have few more pots):
One of the stems after beheading:

I watered these first time yesterday - about half of the leaves have dried up:
I usually leave them where they were put originally (same container and same spot) until they are bigger. I'll probably pot up above plants in individual pots in a month or two.

Nicole - your plants in a green and yellow pots are quite large, were they started from leaves at the same time? Some grow faster than others too.
nicoleteste7
Original Author
9 years ago
Rina thanks for the photos! Most of these were started around the same time. The one in the green pot however is grown from the stem rather then a leaf. The one in the yellow I believe has about a 3 week head start. I started out misting every other day but I was loosing more and I like the "leave it alone" method better :) so that's what I've started doing now.