How to Propagate Coral Sticks? A Simple and Practical Guide

Coral stick is actually the common name for Euphorbia tirucalli, a plant in the Euphorbiaceae family, Euphorbia genus, native to southern Africa. It gets this name because it grows in green stick-like shapes, and when mature and growing in clusters it looks very much like coral in the sea. Euphorbia tirucalli is a plant of the Euphorbia family and genus, native to southern Africa, and is not commonly seen in the country at this stage, but thanks to its unique shape, it is also loved by many people. So how is coral stick propagated?

1. Propagation Methods for Coral Stick

There are mainly two propagation methods for coral stick: seed propagation or cutting propagation. Seed propagation is generally carried out in spring from March to April, while cutting propagation can be done in both spring and autumn.

For seed propagation, in winter the harvested mature seeds need to be rinsed and dried in the sun, then evenly scattered on top of the potting soil, covered with a thin layer of soil, and then soaked through with water in a water basin. Generally, they will sprout in about a week, and once new leaves grow, the seedlings can be divided and transplanted. Coral stick prefers a warm, dry environment with plenty of sunlight, so after dividing the seedlings, keep the light sufficient.

Cutting propagation generally involves cutting robust and plump fleshy stems during the growing season, letting them dry for 1 to 2 days, and then inserting them into sandy soil for rooting. After insertion, keep the soil slightly moist, and they will take root in about 10 days. When carrying out cutting propagation, keep the seedbed or potting soil moist, regularly spray water mist on the top buds and top leaves of the cuttings, and keep the temperature between 18 and 28°C.

2. Key Care Points for Coral Stick

To grow coral stick, give it a growing environment of 15-25°C; when the temperature drops below 10°C, it will go dormant. During the growing season, follow the watering principle of not watering until dry, and watering thoroughly when you do. In midsummer, not only should it be shaded, but it also needs proper ventilation and controlled watering; in winter, keep the soil dry and reduce watering. In addition, apply fertilizer once a month. It is important to note that coral stick is toxic; the sap that flows out after its outer skin is damaged can cause numbness in the human body, so when growing it indoors, it is best to place it somewhere children cannot reach.

The above is some basic knowledge about coral stick propagation. When propagating coral stick yourself, be sure to pay extra attention to avoid causing the death of the coral stick.