Find out how to do the cuttings technique for succulents. Here are all the tricks for perfect, healthy and lush cuttings.
La cutting it is a widely used propagation method, as it requires few tricks. In addition, from a single plant, even a small one, it is possible to obtain many cuttings identical to the mother plant.
This technique is widely used in gardening to allow the growth of a new plant, through the removal and transplantation, in water or earth, of a part of the mother plant. How does it happen? The cutting of the cuttings it stimulates the regeneration of the missing parts of the plant, such as leaves and roots, until the formation of a real clone of the mother plant.
La cutting technique it is quite simple to reproduce, it all depends on your manual skills and the type of plant you choose.
Index
Cutting technique: the parts to use
The first thing to know about the cutting technique, is that various parts of the plant can be used, such as:
- leaves: if you use the leaves, they can give life to other leaves and roots, as in the case of begonia.
- roots: using the roots of the mother plant, new roots will be born which will give rise to a clone of the same.
- branches: the branches to give rise to a new plant must have at least one leaf node; moreover, the branches can be herbaceous, semi-woody or woody and once transplanted into the ground they give rise to new roots and new leaves.
Obviously, if the cutting technique is used, it is important to transplant the removed portion while maintaining its polarity; that is, always respecting the sense of growth. This technique varies according to the type of plant and, as regards the fat plants, just remove a sprig, as in the case of geraniums, or a small portion of the stem and insert it in water to get new roots over time.
Cutting: how and when to do it
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make a cutting it is necessary to take some twigs from the plants, remove the basal leaves and, finally, put them to root in small pots with soil; it is advisable to place them in an illuminated place, not in direct contact with the sun and quite sheltered.
The cut twigs do not usually have to be particularly long 10-15 cm they are largely sufficient; it is not said that all the twigs take root, consequently to be sure of the success, the advice is to root several.
The cuttings can be done at different times of the year, although it is better to do it in spring; on the other hand, summer and winter, that is the periods of the year of maximum heat and excessive cold, should be avoided. It is also advisable to pay attention to the Plot which must always be sufficiently humid, but without stagnation of water otherwise you risk rotting the plant.
How to choose the mother plant
La choice of mother plant, from which to take the twigs to multiply must be done with extreme care; this, in fact, must be healthy and luxuriant, better if strong and able to resist diseases and parasites.
Obviously, it should be emphasized that daughter plants will not necessarily be identical to the mother plant, as other factors also affect the appearance, health and productivity of a species, such as pruning, the microclimate of the place, the fertilizations and the irrigations. (Read also: 10 plants to grow by cuttings)
The plants used for the cutting technique
La cutting it can be practiced for different plants, both fruit and ornamental, but also aromatic, up to fat plants.
Between the species aromatic we find: rosemary, sage, mint, lavender, bay leaf, thyme and many others; while between ornamental there are oleander, ivy, jasmine, rose, hydrangea, bougainvillea, and wisteria etc ... There are also succulents, such as sansevieria and the prickly pear, on which you can perform the cutting technique and obtain many other similar plants. (Read also: 10 plants to grow by cuttings)
How to water the cuttings
Water is one of the most important elements for cuttings; in fact, the soil where new roots develop must always be maintained umido, preventing it from drying too much and, at the same time, paying attention to stagnation.
water the cuttings, the advice is to vaporize them regularly, at least twice a day, especially in periods of greater heat. (Read also: Watering your plants: 8 tips to save water and irrigate better)
Types of cuttings for succulents
For succulents, spring and early autumn are the best times to make cuttings, from which to get new seedlings. The reason? These need to average temperature, it's a minimum humidity in the air. (Read also: Roses: how to grow, prune and reproduce them by cuttings (from a potato)
Stem cutting
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La stem cutting it is carried out on succulents spiny ball or cylinder, when they emit new stems on or on one side of the main stem. Here's how to do it:
- With a sharp knife cut the stems in half the lengths
- Place them in a container to dry in the shade for 3 days
- At this point, proceed by filling a jar with sand and peat and insert the cutting until it is immersed for at least 3 centimeters.
We remind you that this cutting goes slightly vaporized with water at least once a week, but only for moisten the soil. Furthermore, the vase must be placed in a place with a lot of light and at a temperature of about 25 °; avoid direct sunlight.
Leaf cutting
La leaf cutting it is useful for some succulents; here's how to do it:
- Remove one or more leaves with your fingers or a small knife
- Make a small jar with a mixture of sand and some peat
- Insert the leaves into the substrate
- Store the jar in a warm and bright place, but away from direct sunlight.
It is advisable to vaporize with a little water every 15-20 days. If everything is done correctly, the seedlings will be ready for potting after about 60-70 days.
Sucker cutting
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La sucker cutting concerns succulents, such as aloe and agavi, that is, those for which ever larger pots are needed, or it is necessary to divide the shoots from the mother plant. (see also: Aloe vera, how to grow it at home to always have juice and gel available)
Here's how to proceed:
- Flare the aloe or agave and with a sharp knife separate the basal suckers from the mother
- Leave to dry for three days in a well ventilated place
- Repot the mother and place the children in a jar of about 10 cm in diameter.
For the earth we advise you to use peat and sand in a ratio of 1: 2; place the jars in the shade, lightly steaming the soil every 15 days.
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