How to Propagate the Succulent Elephant Bush? A Few Common Methods

The succulent Elephant Bush (Portulacaria afra) is also called purslane, its stems and leaves are rather thick and fleshy, and the new branches turn purplish-red in the light. So, how do you propagate the succulent Elephant Bush?

1. How to propagate the succulent Elephant Bush?

1. Sowing

Choose loose, fertile soil, sow the seeds into it, spray a little water, cover with plastic film to keep in moisture, and uncover it after the seedlings emerge

2. Cuttings

Usually in early April or from September to October, choose a robust, plump stem with relatively short internodes as the cutting. Let it dry in a shady place for a few days, and once the cut surface is dry, take the cutting; after taking the cutting, keep the potting soil dry and do not water too much. It will gradually take root after 15~20 days.

3. Grafting

Cut a branch of purslane grown in the current year as the scion; the scion should not be too long. Slice both sides of the scion base diagonally into a duck-bill shape, then choose an older Elephant Bush stump as the rootstock, cut all its side branches short, and then join the scion to the rootstock.

Then tie the joint with a plastic bag, place the potted plant in a semi-shady spot, and do not let the joint come into contact with water; it will survive in 10~15 days.

2. How to care for the succulent Elephant Bush?

1. Soil

The Elephant Bush likes fertile, loose soil, generally with leaf mold, garden soil or plant ash being best.

2. Light

The Elephant Bush likes plenty of light, but at noon in summer it should also be properly shaded from strong light to prevent sunburn.

3. Water

The Elephant Bush does not need watering every day; you can wait until the potting soil is completely dry before watering. During the growing season and in summer, you can water a little more as appropriate, but in winter during its dormant period, be sure to water less.

4. Temperature

The best temperature for the Elephant Bush to grow is 15 to 30 degrees; in the cold winter you must do a good job of keeping it warm, because below 5 degrees it will suffer frost damage.

5. Pruning

If the Elephant Bush is not pruned and shaped in time, it will grow with wild, sprawling branches, without the slightest beauty. You should prune and wire it according to personal preference; training it into a straight-trunk style, slanted-trunk style, cascade style and so on all look very beautiful.

6. Repotting

The Elephant Bush grows very fast, so it should be repotted once every one or two years, with the pot getting bigger each time, and at the same time the potting soil should be replaced with new soil, so as to meet its growth needs.

Although the Elephant Bush has a form like a small tree, its stems and leaves are those of a succulent plant, and it can also be trained into a bonsai of great ornamental value.