The Christ's Thorn is a popular houseplant. If you want to cultivate more than one, you don't necessarily have to buy one. You can easily multiply the thorn of Christ. We present two options here.
If you already have a Christ's Thorn (Euphorbia milii), propagating it could present an exciting challenge. Propagation from cuttings is quite easy to do and promises to be successful in many cases.
Propagation by seeds is a little more difficult and time-consuming. You can purchase the seeds from specialist retailers or you can obtain them yourself from existing plants.
Propagation by cuttings
If you have a perennial plant, it is easy to propagate by cuttings. You can even get a cutting if you cut back the plant because it may have been too vigorous. Cuttings are preferably cut in spring.
» Attention: Gloves should be worn when cutting the cuttings. A toxic plant sap escapes, which can cause skin irritation.
Cut the cuttings about 4 to 6 inches long. Stop the flow of milky juice by allowing the cutting to "bleed dry" in a glass of lukewarm tap water for about half an hour. If no more milky juice appears, the interface should dry off. This works best in a sunny and airy spot outdoors.
What is needed for propagation?
- Cuttings
- Cultivation soil
- Plant pots
- sharp knife
What substrate should be used?
A mixture of cactus soil and sand is used as an ideal substrate. The lower leaves are removed and the cuttings inserted a few centimeters deep into the substrate. In order for the cuttings to root well, a sunny and warm location is preferable. Temperatures between 20 and 25 degrees are ideal.
How to treat the cutting?
Pouring is moderate. Use room temperature rainwater. The location should be bright and warm. the plumpIt is important to avoid the midday sun.
How long does rooting take?
After about a month the first roots have developed.
What happens to the young plants now?
If the cuttings are sufficiently rooted, transplant into larger plant pots. The substrate can be enriched with compost or horn shavings to provide the plant with an organic long-term fertilizer. The young plants are now sufficiently developed to be cultivated as adult plants.
In short:
- Take cuttings, about four inches long
- Remove leaves from lower part of shoot
- Put the cuttings in warm water for half an hour to “bleed out”
- Let the interface dry for about 24 hours
- Place the cutting in the substrate
- Place bright and warm
- avoid blazing midday sun
- water regularly
- Avoid waterlogging
Propagation by Seeds
Propagation by seeds is a bit more complex, but it can bring you your first Christ thorn seedlings. Getting seeds from existing plants is also considered a challenge, try sowing and, with a bit of luck, grow new seedlings.
What is needed for sowing?
- Seeds
- Seed Tray
- Cover
- Cultivation soil
How to get the seed?
The seeds are found in the blossoms of the Christ Thorn. The small brown to black seeds are obtained by picking a faded inflorescence.
Which planters and soil do you use?
The seeds are planted in potting soil. Instead of a plant pot, plant bowls are preferable. The seeds are only thinly covered with soil. The substrate should be very fine. Sieved soil works best.
Where should the seed tray be placed?
Germination is accelerated in a light and warm place. Direct sunlight should be avoided.
» Tip: If the seeds are covered with a pane of glass, you have a mini greenhouse at your disposal.
How long does germination take?
The seeds germinate after three to four weeks. The cover is initially left on the tray and only removed when the young plants have reached the height of the glass pane.
What happens to the young plants?
Once the young plants have reached a height of about eight to ten centimetres, they can be planted in potsbe transplanted. If the Christ thorn is in the growth phase, it needs a relatively large amount of liquid and the soil should not dry out. A bright and warm location is maintained. Fertilizers are not required for young plants. A nutrient-rich substrate that has been upgraded with compost or horn shavings will adequately cover the needs of the plant in the first year after growth.
» Tip: Submerging the seed tray for a few minutes after sowing will speed up germination and increase the chances of success. The seed tray should only be submerged halfway.
Overview of the advantages and disadvantages of the methods
| Growing Method | Advantages | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Growing Method | Advantages | Cons |
| Cuttings | ❍ This method is easy to implement. ❍ The chances of success are comparatively high. ❍ The cuttings can be cut quickly and there are no additional costs. ❍ After rooting, independent young plants quickly develop. | ❍ Cuttings can only be taken when there is a sufficiently developed plant. ❍ When cutting the cuttings, poisonous plant sap is emitted. ❍ Gloves must be worn when working. ❍ Small children and pets should be supervised and not allowed to come into contact with the plant parts. |
| Seeds | ❍ The seed can easily be obtained from existing plants. ❍ The germination time is quite short at around three to four weeks. ❍ You get a whole series of young plants, which can be cultivated individually. | ❍ If you don't have your own plant, you have to buy the seed. ❍ Propagation by seed is less successful than propagation by cuttings. |