Propagating the Echeveria is child's play. There are 4 ways to do this, each with its pros and cons.
Echeveria is one of the most popular succulents. It brings variety to the flower window, is very easy to care for, does not mind small care mistakes and can even inspire those who observe it on the balcony and terrace in summer.
Anyone who enjoys the plant and is toying with the idea of propagating this pretty and uncomplicated plant will find helpful tips and advice below on how to grow the exotic succulents successfully.
Echeveria (Echeveria agavoides) can be propagated in the following way:
- Division
- Offshoot
- Leaf cuttings
- Seeds
Propagation possibilities explained in more detail
Reproduction by division
If the hobby gardener has placed a rosette in a planter and positioned it in a sunny spot by the flower window or outdoors, he will often not believe his eyes after the summer. It didn't stop at a rosette. Numerous small plants have joined and fill the plant pot.
Propagation by division is the easiest method, because the hobby gardener only has to do a few things to obtain full-fledged plants that, transplanted separately, can be cultivated like the mother plant.
Reproduction by division explained step by step
❶ Remove the plant from the planter
❷ Shake off the soil well
❸ Carefully separate small rosettes of leaves
❹ Protect the roots
❺ Place young plants in separate planters
❻ cultivate as usual
In order to be able to divide the plant, it must be removed from the planter. If the soil is largely shaken off, the roots can be clearly seen. The roots must not be injured while the small leaf rosettes are separated from the mother plant. The plants can be divided several times. In any case, there should be a sufficiently stable root system so that the young plants can also grow well separately. Rosettes with sufficient roots are placed in separate planters and watered lightly. You immediately get full-fledged plants,which can be cultivated as usual from the mother plant.
Propagation by offshoots
Before cuttings are obtained, the lower leaves must be removed from the leaf rosette. Otherwise, they could start to rot on the moist soil. The stems of the rosette are cut back to a length of about two centimetres.
» Tip: Offshoots are not independent plants. They grow directly from the rosette, already look like the mother plant, but do not yet have their own roots.
Propagation by offshoots explained step by step
❶ Remove the lower leaves of the rosette
❷ Cut back the stems of the rosette to about two centimeters
❸ Place the offshoot in the planter
❹ Slightly moisten the soil
❺ Application of quartz sand promotes root formation
❻ Set up the planter bright but not in full sun
❼ Keep the substrate slightly moist
The offshoots are placed in a planter filled with substrate. Root formation can be encouraged by applying a layer of quartz sand to the substrate. The offshoot finds a better hold in the moist substrate. The planters are placed in a bright location. The blazing sun should be avoided when growing offshoots. Watering is moderate. The substrate should appear slightly damp but not completely wet.
» Tip: Rooting does not require much patience. After about three weeks, the offshoots are successfully rooted.
Propagation by leaf cuttings
Not every Echeveria makes it easy for the hobby gardener and diligently forms side rosettes. If you still want to propagate the plant, you can do so with the help of leaf cuttings. As the name suggests, only one of the thick, fleshy leaves is needed for this type of propagation.
Propagation by leaf cuttings explained step by step
❶ select he althy and strong leaf
❷ Separate the leaf from the mother plant
❸ Place the cutting in the planting bowl
❹ Slightly moisten the substrate
❺ Substrate with quartz sand cover
❻ place the cutting in bright but not full sun
❼ water moderately
A well-developed leaf can serve as a cutting. This can be separated from all parts of the plant. Flower shoots can also be used. This is particularly useful for species that only develop a few leaves. These are shrub-like growing species. The leaf should be cut off with a particularly sharp knife. This creates a smoothCut edge.
» Tip: Frayed cut edges damage the plant and provide an entry point for bacteria and pests.
A flat dish can be used for cultivation. This should be filled with substrate suitable for succulents, such as this one. The earth is covered with a layer of quartz sand or perlite. This protects the cuttings from rotting and promotes root development. The cuttings do not need to be covered and should be placed in a light location, but protected from direct sunlight.
After about three weeks, the cutting will root, which indicates a successful propagation. If you keep an eye on the rooted area, you will soon be able to see that a small plant is developing there. Now a little more is poured. The soil should always be slightly moist and must not dry out.
After a further six to eight weeks the young plant will be sufficiently developed to be moved to a sunny spot and cultivated like a full-fledged plant.
Propagation by seeds
Anyone who was happy about a rain of flowers can also win seeds. Now it is a good idea to try propagation by seed. In order for propagation by seeds to succeed, there are a few things to consider. Although there are many species of Echeveria, the method of sowing remains the same.
Propagation by seeds explained step by step
❶ Get seeds
❷ Prepare the planting bowl
❸ Fill in the substrate
❹ Water the soil
❺ Cover the soil with quartz sand
❻ Seeds on Spread with the quartz sand
❼ Cover the seed tray
❽ Set up the planter in a bright place
The planting bowl is first filled with substrate. This is well moistened. A layer of quartz sand is applied to the potting soil. So that this appears slightly damp, it should be lightly sprayed with a plant sprayer. The seeds are now placed on the quartz sand without being covered with soil. To keep the moisture constant, cover the seed tray with foil or a pane of glass.
The germination time is about two weeks and depends on the plant species. It is therefore advisable to use separate planters when propagating different species. The planter is bright and can be set up at room temperature. Spring and early summer are ideal for propagation. When germination begins, the cover is raised slightly to allow fresh air to reach the seedlings.
» Tip:Adequate ventilation is important to prevent fungal growth.
In the first year the seedlings should be protected from direct sunlight. The young plants are transplanted in the second year and may be given a sunny location.
Advantages and disadvantages of each method
| Propagation method | Advantages | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Division | ✔ Can be done quickly and easily. ✔ You get whole plants. | ✘ Mother plant must be sufficiently developed. |
| Offshoot | ✔ Several plants can easily be grown. | ✘ Not all species form offshoots. ✘ When cultivating, some special features regarding the substrate must be observed. |
| Leaf cuttings | ✔ Only one well developed leaf is needed to start a new plant. | ✘ It takes about two months for a young plant to develop. |
| Seeds | ✔ The seed itself can be harvested from existing flowering plants. | ✘ Cultivation is quite tedious. |