I think the lack of respect for gravity in your aerial roots may be related to humidity. Is your environment humid? If so, there's no incentive for those roots to go looking for moisture in the soil. I am in a very dry environment and I am sometimes successful with getting plantlets without roots to make some by making the soil moist on a regular basis. I would sprinkle a small amount of soil over the roots to encourage them to take root and uncover the leaf-end after a few days to encourage leaflet formation.

I'm not sure what your variegated leaf comes from although it looks like the leaves being formed are not variegated. Time will tell

Hi Binks,

Congratulations on the great success you've had thus far. You seems to be doing everything right, great looking mix, happy new roots & excellent self control in NOT messing w/ them! Good for you. Great pix too, really what a terrific post!

I believe the last plant is a variegated Jade, Crassula ovata variegata (tricolor? it gets pinkish highlights). Seems Nik's right that it's reverting to solid green.

That very rooted leaf, some kind of an Echeveria maybe. Part of me is tempted to make a hole, turn it over & plant it right there.

Let's see what others say about the roots.

The leaf is Crassula ovata variegata 'Tricolor'...and the leaves often (not always) grow a green plant rather than variegated.

I would do as Nik suggested - just sprinkle little of the potting mix over the roots...

I agree with karen's idea to "plant" the echeveria leaf, maybe once the roots are longer. Sometimes I'll take a small pebble or two and lay it gently on the roots to hold them down and block the light, which will make them go into the soil. BTW your echeveria leaf is about to grow a plantlet IMO, the little brown bump at it's tip is stem tissue, some make this before the leaves..

Nik- That is an interesting speculation. It is summer here in Pennsylvania and it is pretty humid. I wouldn't say it's overly humid in my house, and the roots on my other leaves aren't doing this but maybe this one is just sensitive to the humidity... That's a good tip about the soil, though. I may do either that or bury the leaf as others have suggested.

Karen- Thanks for the kind words! They are appreciated and of course, I learned what I know from stalking threads on this forum (: That ID would explain the pink tones in the plantlet, how exciting! I've never had a Jade before though. The idea to bury the leaf is tempting, I considered that but I didn't want to mess with a good thing. I think what Lisa suggested, kind of encouraging the roots downwards, may be the best solution. I would just turn it over and bury it, but I'm concerned that if a plantlet does form, I will be burying that.

Rina- Thanks for the ID! Interesting how life forms change like that...

Lisa- That pebble idea is a great suggestion. I think what I will do is try that and see if the roots correct themselves, as well as some soil to start them off as Nik suggested. Exciting news about the echie- I didn't know that stem tissue tip!

Binks

I believe what Nik said about the roots is not a speculation :)

Roots seek moisture, and if it is humid, some mature plants will grow aerial roots directly from their stems. These are not exactly same roots, but they all will absorb moisture.