Hi _artz,

If you've got several pieces, why not experiment & try both ways? Here's a link to a thread showing recent propagation of mine in water.

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5652914/a-zz-plant-propagation-to-share#n=9

I've yet to see the black one around here, I'd love to swap you something for a piece. Can you at least post pix for us pls?

You can send a few of those leaflets my way. I'll be glad to propagate them. :)

HaHa, I've been waiting for quite some time for this variety to trickle its way down to garden centers. I thought that Costa Farms would be selling them last autumn, but I guess that didn't pan out as planned.

What you're referring to as the stems are actually just part of the leaf, and the "leaves" are actually leaflets. I would just plant the whole leaf in soil and care for them like any normal ZZ plant. Just keep the soil from drying out until it starts developing some roots. No need to try and root them in water first, they'll root just fine in soil. It's good that you have part of the whole leaf and not just the leaflets, because those will root much faster.

Thanks everyone! I have just potted these up in soil and will post updates on this thread.

@Karen S. (7b, NYC) here's a pic. Happy to trade! Let me know what you have available.

Same goes for others interested in a trade — I was excited to find these and happy to spread the Raven ZZ love!

(I keep attaching a photo here and it's not showing! Something up with the platform? Will try again tomorrow)

_artz,

Pls come back in, use the Houzz Photo icon for your pic & pls wait 'til the image clears or darkens before hitting 'Submit'.

I've got a few Hoyas, some Sans, a lovely variegated leaf Euphorbia w/ coral blooms.

What part of the country are you in pls? Some of us have been waiting for this black ZZ Raven to appear, which it hasn't.

Bingo! Here you go @Karen S. (7b, NYC). I'm in Portland.

Also, in case it's of interest I just found this from Costa on Amazon. I haven't ordered from them before. Any insight? Would you trust it?

https://www.amazon.com/Costa-Farms-Raven-ZZ-Collection/dp/B07VXZ5GVK/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1452LLVNTAYQP&keywords=raven+zz+plant+live&qid=1569989387&s=gateway&sprefix=raven+zz%2Caps%2C213&sr=8-4

Karen,

If you are interested in trading with me as well, I'd be curious to hear which Sans you have. The Hoyas as well.

Costa is the source of these for the box stores - so yes, I would trust them.

Thank you! While I have such great help and insight on this thread, might any of you have advice on this Hoya Obovata?

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5798141/can-anyone-id-these-worrisome-spots-on-hoya-obovata

You are welcome!

Looks like maybe too much water. I responded there. I know you said you just watered it once, but sometimes that's all it takes if the soil gets waterlogged.

From what I understand, Costa Farms owns the patent to ZZ Raven here in the U.S. So yes, it would be acceptable to buy from them.

https://gardenmediagroup.com/Zamioculcas-Raven-Chosen-Best-New-Plant

I got mine at a rare plant benefit sale and auction in the summer. I paid about $35 for a tiny little rooted specimen. I walk by it almost every day and implore it not to die on me! So far, so good. Still alive although it has not grown much if at all.

Popmama, they are very slow, but sounds like it's doing well. They are very easy to keep alive as long as you don't overwater, or let it dry out too long. $35 isn't a bad price for a tiny piece considering they are very new, and still in the process of becoming mainstream.

Thanks Silent Seed. When I see that one on Amazon for the same amount, it just bums me out a bit that I have this tiny little thing. But the rare plant sale was also a benefit for a charity. So I just look at it as a good cause. And if I really want a big one, then I'll just have to order one!

Exactly! :) Keep in mind also that the picture on line would just be an example. You might not end up getting a big full plant either. (Like for example, when in box stores, where they sell their stuff, some plants have 2 growths, some have 1 growth, and others have 4 growths. It's hit or miss when shopping with mass-grower.

So true, TSS! So true. I'm going to take a picture of my tiny specimen and post it tomorrow. I'll put a measuring stick with it or something so you all can see how small it is. Haha.

Sounds good - look forward to it.

I thought had a picture of what it looked like when I bought it, but apparently not. At least now I have a picture of it in its current state (4 months after I purchased it). It will be a good record of growth.

I have it potted in a very fast draining soil like bonsai soil. It is in an East-facing window. And I do water it about every 7-10 days. It gets a very diluted FoliagePro fertilizer with every other watering.

It's a very cool looking little thing. I find plants I grow from a very small stage tend to acclimate to my environment and my care better in the long run. So it may be a good thing to be caring for it almost from it's beginning.

That looks fantastic.

I hope you are right, Laurie! And thank you TSS. I love ZZ plants and the minute I saw the news about Raven, I knew I wanted one. My family thinks I'm certified nuts to spend that much money on this little thing. The one thing I can say about it is that it has never lost its dark color and I sure hope it never does!

You're quite welcome - and no - it shouldn't lose its color. Some new leaves turn up green, but they darken to black I've found.

Hi Folks,

Sorry, been super busy at work & then too pooped at night to post much.

_artz,

May I pls ak you to try not to mix plants on the same thread? The Hoya Q on here, it gets too confusing talking abt 2 diff. plants on the same thread, like here, the ZZ Raven & Hoya. Besides, I know for a fact you're in good hands over there, where folks are more familiar w/ their Hoyas.

Popmama: Thx for the pix, it looks great & helpful too to see its size w/ the ruler, that for ZZs, it's on the smaller size.

I'll have to look further, but may have spoken too soon abt swapping. While I've got lots of diff. Sans these days, few are formally IDed, so can't do much there. Sadly, also realized my Hoya collection is now much smaller than before & I have none to offer other cuttings w/ no more detailed ID than H pubicalyx.

ETA: We sometimes have a visitor named Justin who is w/ Costa Farms, I may try to post & get his attention & see if he knows when these plants will hit my tri-state area.

Silent: Is it Jude? Thx for offering too.

Karen, Yes, I'm Jude.

Hey Karen S.!

Unfortunately, I can't help much with Costa Farms questions... Monrovia offered me a promotion, so I've picked up and headed out West. I can speak to anything I experienced at Costa Farms, however.

---Justin
Monrovia Nursery

I came back to this thread today to view the picture of my little raven to see if it has grown since October. And no, it has not! It's not dead and looks perfectly happy. Just hasn't really put on any new growth. The other larger ones I acquired from Costa Farms are putting on new growth in just one month of having them. And yes, now I have two of those! I bought one, then I bought another that I was planning to give away and now I'm not sure I can part with it.

Popmama - are you keeping it more dry ? My ZZ's grow much faster with more water. The ones that get less water don't do much.

Hi Silent Seed. Yes, I have been keeping it very dry. I try to err on the side of caution to not overwater. But I will take that into advice and try to give it some more water. I just moved it into a different window with more light to see what could happen there. Thanks for the idea!

That would make sense - yes; give it more water and watch it grow. :)