The weather has finally gotten nice enough outside to do some gardening. Which, for me, of course means working with very small plants that will likely die quickly. Even though I have such a bad track record, I keep on trying. A+ for effort, right?
My latest attempt at growing things has been a qualified success. My succulents are still growing and were ready to be propagated into new pots. I knew just where to put them.
The succulents I planted as decorations for our sunroom toughed it out through the winter. I am very glad that I haven’t killed them off yet. I was even successful in my first try at propagating some of the cuttings. The ones that I planted in the ceramic dog planter have taken root and started to grow.
As you can see, the succulents were getting quite “leggy.” The plants got little sun during the crazy polar vortex-y winter we had, so they stretched out trying to find any light they could. I wanted to cut them back so that they retained the compact shape they should have.
Since I would already be cutting the plants back, I decided to try propagating the cuttings that came off each plant. I liked the hanging candle holders in our sunroom, but I was ready for a small change.
I took them down and decided that they would now be pots instead of candle holders!
I started by adding some stones to the bottom of each pot. Succulents don’t like sitting in water and the rocks should keep the roots from sitting in a puddle.
Next I added a good amount of soil and water.
Finally I added in the succulent cuttings. I made small indentations in the soil and placed in a cutting. Lather, rinse, repeat.
Look how cute! I hope they don’t die!
I slipped each candleholder-turned-pot back into its invisible macramé hanger. Visit the link to see easy those are to make!
The succulents should get good afternoon sun, which will help as they put down roots. After they are more established, I might move them outside where they will get full sun.
It was a pretty simple thing to plant the cuttings in new planters, so I hope I can continue to propagate more cuttings each year. First, I need to keep these alive though.
Have you ever propagated succulents from cuttings before? Are there any secrets I should know. I really want these little guys to do well.
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Thanks, Jessica
What kind of soil do you use to propagate succulents? Thanks.
I don’t go to too much trouble. If a leaf falls or breaks off one plant I just stick it in the dirt. Most times – if I just leave them alone and don’t keep poking them to see if they are growing, they will strike and in time show some sign of new growth. It took a good bout of me being busy to realise this as you know what they say “a watched pot never boils” and so it goes for catci – “a watched catci never grows”, Once you stop watching it and leave it alone – you walk past one day and think – “Oh it has new growth”. Very rewarding when they do start to grow. I planted a wheelbarrow and it has looked very sparse and the plants small until the sun came out really well and now they are flourishing!
I share your passion for catci. Thanks for the post.
I once new an old lady who always had these ¨succulents¨ in her pocket, she used to wander around and collect them. one day when i visited her i was amazed to see what she had grown. i like your ideas of hanging them up. they look very quaint like this.
What a cool lady! Thanks for sharing!