TheNaturePlanet

Succulent plants are round and extremely cute, and many people have quite a few of them at home. Propagating succulents by leaf cuttings is a cost-effective and fun method. However, beginners may not know how long it takes for the leaves to germinate after being inserted, and how to operate specifically. Don't worry, let's talk about it slowly.

How long does it take for succulent leaves to germinate when propagated by cuttings?
When will the succulent leaves germinate after being cut and inserted? The time is not fixed, usually around 1 to 4 weeks, and some varieties may take even longer. It specifically depends on the following aspects.

Firstly, different varieties have significant differences in germination speed. Common varieties like Graptopetalum paraguayense, Echeveria 'White Peony', and Sedum rubrotinctum are relatively easy to propagate. After the leaves are inserted, small buds will usually emerge in about 1 - 2 weeks. Their growth mechanism is more suitable for taking root and germinating, and they also have strong adaptability to the environment. But for varieties that are relatively difficult to propagate, such as Cotyledon tomentosa and Greenovia aurea, more patience is needed. It may take 3 - 4 weeks or even longer to see germination. They have higher requirements for environmental conditions and maintenance, and need to be carefully taken care of.

In addition to different varieties, environmental conditions also have a great impact on the germination time. First of all, regarding the temperature, the most suitable temperature for succulent leaves to germinate is 15 - 25℃. Within this temperature range, the leaf cells have high activity and grow quickly. If the temperature is lower than 10℃, the succulents will almost stop growing, and the leaves will germinate very slowly, or even show no signs of growth for a long time. When the temperature is higher than 30℃, the leaves are likely to dehydrate and dry out, and may also attract pathogens. Even if they germinate, the seedlings will not grow well.

Then there is the humidity. It is more appropriate to keep the environmental humidity at 50% - 70%. If it is too dry, the leaves will lose water, and the growth points are likely to dry out and fail to germinate. But if it is too wet, the leaves are likely to rot. We can place a water basin at the cutting site, or spray some mist regularly to adjust the humidity, but don't let there be water droplets on the leaves all the time.

In terms of light, the cut leaves should not be directly exposed to the sun, and it is fine to place them in a place with bright scattered light. An appropriate amount of scattered light allows the leaves to carry out photosynthesis and provide energy for germination. If they are exposed to direct sunlight for too long, the leaves are likely to be burned, affecting germination.

In addition, the state of the leaves themselves is also crucial. Healthy and plump leaves are the basis for successful cutting. If the leaves are affected by diseases and pests, damaged, or wrinkled, their germination ability will deteriorate, and they may not germinate for a long time, or even fail to germinate. Therefore, when selecting leaves, we should choose those that are strong, free from diseases and pests, thick, and have a complete growth point, that is, the part where the leaf is connected to the stem should be intact.

Next, let's talk about the specific cutting method. As long as you follow the steps, beginners can easily get started.

First, prepare well. The first step is to select the leaves. Find well-grown leaves on the mother plant, hold the bottom of the leaves with your hand, gently shake them from side to side, and remove the leaves completely. Be careful not to damage the growth point, which is the key part for germination. The removed leaves cannot be cut immediately. They should be placed in a cool and ventilated place for 1 - 2 days until the wounds are dry, which can avoid infection.

Then prepare the soil. The soil for cutting should be loose, breathable, and have good drainage. You can mix peat soil, perlite, and vermiculite in a ratio of 3:2:1. Such soil can maintain a certain humidity without waterlogging. If you find it troublesome, you can also directly buy the substrate specifically for cutting succulents.

For the container, you can choose a shallow flower pot, tray, or seedling tray. The bottom should have drainage holes for easy drainage. You can lay a layer of ceramsite or broken tiles at the bottom of the container, which can improve the drainage.

After everything is ready, you can start the cutting. Place the leaves with dried wounds flat on the soil surface, and let the growth points slightly touch the soil. You can also insert the leaves obliquely at a 45-degree angle into the soil, but don't insert them too deeply, otherwise it will affect germination. Leave some space between the leaves, and don't squeeze them together, so that there is better ventilation and growth space.

The maintenance after cutting is also very important. Don't water immediately after inserting. Since the wounds have not healed, watering is likely to cause infection. When the soil is dry, spray some clear water with a sprayer to make the soil slightly moist. As the leaves gradually take root and germinate, water a little more gradually, but don't water too much to avoid waterlogging in the soil.

In terms of light and temperature, place the cutting container in a bright, ventilated place with a suitable temperature. Positions with scattered light like windowsills and balconies are good. Don't expose it to direct sunlight, and don't place it in a place with too high or too low temperature.

Ventilation is also very important. A good ventilation environment can reduce the breeding of pathogens and make the leaves grow healthier. You can open the windows regularly for ventilation, or turn on a fan to make the air flow.

After germination, small plants and roots will gradually grow from the leaves. At this time, it is still necessary to maintain a suitable environment and let the small plants grow slowly. You can increase the light a little bit, but don't expose them to the sun. When the small plants grow larger and the roots are more developed, they can be transplanted into a separate flower pot and maintained according to the normal method.

In general, the time for succulent leaves to germinate when propagated by cuttings is affected by factors such as variety, environment, and the state of the leaves. As long as we master the correct method, patiently maintain them, observe the state of the leaves in time, and deal with problems such as leaf rot and drying in a timely manner, we can improve the success rate of cutting and harvest more lovely succulent seedlings.