Succulent leaf cuttings have their tricks: use the right method and you'll have a full pot every year
Leaf cuttings are one of the ways to propagate succulents. Succulents have strong abilities for both asexual and sexual reproduction, so different propagation methods give people different growing experiences, and they are just as wonderfully varied. Of course, different methods make the growth process and results from seedling to mature plant differ. Besides enjoying the sense of accomplishment that propagation brings, we can also enjoy different pleasures of observation.
The first step in succulent leaf cuttings is choosing the leaves. There are certain conditions for selecting leaves for leaf cuttings, and different varieties propagate at different speeds from leaf cuttings. Beginners trying leaf cuttings might as well choose some succulents that are easy to propagate, such as Graptopetalum paraguayense and Pachyphytum oviferum. With leaf cuttings, they will basically succeed every time. When pulling off the leaves, we also need to pick the right moment.
When twisting off leaves for leaf cuttings, be gentle. Rocking the leaf left and right makes it easier to remove it without damaging the stem. Choose healthy, sturdy leaves, do not use newly grown leaves, and discard obviously yellowed leaves or unhealthy leaves with damage at the base, otherwise, if they are planted mixed together, the unhealthy leaves can easily become moldy and rot and then infect the other leaves.
After succulent leaf cuttings have rooted and sprouted, bury the leaf that has grown roots and leaves slightly under the soil, but do not bury it too deep, otherwise the small sprout cannot grow out. Be careful to water with a spray bottle, using a mist spray. After that, as the new sprout grows, the old leaf will gradually wither until it naturally falls off. Do not remove it easily before then, otherwise it is easy to damage the new sprout and roots. Once the newly propagated life has grown, you can move it to a new home for planting, and one round of leaf cuttings is successfully completed.
Rooting of leaf cuttings is related to the humidity in the environment. Only with appropriate humidity in the environment will rooting be promoted. Relatively low humidity makes it hard to induce roots, while high humidity easily causes water to enter the wound and make the leaf turn to mush. The leaf cutting environment needs good ventilation. Even fallen leaves need respiration, and good airflow can disperse excess moisture and prevent the leaves from turning to mush. Of course, this is not to tell everyone to put them in a place with a strong wind blowing constantly; a large environment with smooth airflow is enough.
The temperature is best around 15-25°C. As for humidity, it depends on the region. The weather in the north is relatively dry, so you can appropriately turn on a humidifier. The humidity in the south is high, so you need to pay attention to keeping it dry, otherwise the leaves will become moldy. After about 10-odd days, strong leaves will produce roots and sprouts. During this period, pay attention to promptly dealing with leaves that have turned to mush or become moldy. No watering is needed during this period. Some flower lovers casually place the leaves in a container, without much humidity or water, and wait for them to sprout. After they sprout, they put them into a medium with suitable humidity for rooting. The success rate of propagation this way is also quite high.
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