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Horticulture Principles and Practices

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TABLE 14–1<br />

Plant<br />

Selected Popular Succulents (Excluding Cacti <strong>and</strong> Bromeliads)<br />

Scientific Name<br />

Houseleeks<br />

Century plant<br />

Wart plant<br />

Milk bush<br />

Crown of thorns<br />

C<strong>and</strong>le plant<br />

Mother-in-law’s tongue or snake plant<br />

Air plant or P<strong>and</strong>a plant<br />

Hen <strong>and</strong> chickens<br />

Agave<br />

Aloe<br />

Ox tongue<br />

Jade plant<br />

Burro tail<br />

Sempervium spp.<br />

Agave americana<br />

Haworthia spp.<br />

Euphorbia tirucali<br />

Euphorbia splendens<br />

Senecio articulatus<br />

Sansevieria trifasciata<br />

Kalanchoe spp.<br />

Echeveria spp.<br />

Agave angustifolia; A. botterji<br />

Aloe variegata <strong>and</strong> other species<br />

Gasteria spp.<br />

Crassula argentea<br />

Sedum spp.<br />

14.4 PROPAGATION<br />

Succulents may be propagated from seed, cuttings, or offsets. Aloes, haworthias, apicras,<br />

<strong>and</strong> gasterias may be propagated from suckers as well as seed <strong>and</strong> cuttings.<br />

14.4.1 SEED<br />

Seeds may be nursed in trays or pots containing a rooting medium that drains very well.<br />

Many succulent seeds are small <strong>and</strong> should not be buried during propagation. The soil<br />

surface should be of fine tilth. The seeds are sprinkled on the soil surface <strong>and</strong> then<br />

watered. The soil should be kept moist with either a glass plate or clear plastic covering.<br />

Germination occurs within two to three weeks.<br />

14.4.2 CUTTINGS<br />

Cutting are best taken in May <strong>and</strong> June for quick healing of wounds. A sharp blade<br />

should be used for cutting. Leaf cuttings of succulents can be propagated by first rooting<br />

them in water or soil. Succulents of the family Crassulaceae are particularly suited for<br />

propagation from leaf cuttings. After removing a leaf, the cut surface should be allowed<br />

to dry for a few days before planting in the medium.<br />

14.4.3 OFFSETS<br />

Nonbranching succulents often produce offsets that readily propagate the species. Offsets<br />

are identical plants that develop as side growths from the mother plant originating<br />

from either the main stem or the base of the mother plant, as occurs in bulbs. These<br />

young, full-fledged plants may be removed after they have grown to a size that will<br />

enable them to survive independently of the parent plant. The daughter plants are<br />

detached by cutting with a sharp razor blade or knife <strong>and</strong> inserted into a rooting mixture.<br />

They are nursed under warm, medium light conditions with sufficient moisture<br />

until they have formed adequate roots. Offsets are commonly produced by cacti,<br />

bromeliads, <strong>and</strong> bulbs.<br />

Offsets<br />

Side growth of the mother<br />

plant originating from<br />

either the stem or base of<br />

the plant.<br />

14.4 Propagation 457

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