echeveria leaf cuttings

[vapester]

i was wondering, they are pretty quick to grow roots, but will they ever form an actual plant ? Or will it just be a leaf with roots and then die ?

[agavemonger]

Cut cut here, clip clip there, and a couple of lah-de-dahs. Thats how we do it in the merry old land of oz!

[Walker]

Roots certainly come along faster, but so long as you maintain a happy environment for the little starts, a plantlet should soon emerge, too. Eventually, the leaf will dry up, and you'll be left with a little plant. It's taken an average of about 18 months for me to get 4" rosettes from leaf cuttings.

Of course, it doesn't always work, and some varieties are easier than others. It's my understanding that true species and smaller-leaved cultivars have a higher rate of success...

[aloeguvnah]

That's true. The hybrids don't often root from leaf cuttings. Just put the leaf in a fast draining soil mix and go easy on the water. Some times I will get 3 or 4 plants from one leaf.

[agavemonger]

It helps to use a razor blade and starting from the bottom of the stem, cut each leaf carefully with a section of stem included in the cut. harden as usual. This works better on the trickier species and cultivars that don't readily root. I have also been able to root flower stalks (primarily on the gibbiflorrids) which ocasionally produce little plantlets, but this is rather hit-or-miss. Be careful with the razor blade, this type of work almost guarantees getting cut if you're not constantly vigilant. Use fresh blades and dip in a cup of alchohol between cuts. Once roots are well formed just barely tuck them in to soil so that the end of the leaf where the plantlets form will be exposed to light. Once the plantlets are crowding each other they can be seperated and planted in individual pots.

[vapester]

thanks for the info...the plant i'm referring to is Graptoveria hybrid 'Fred Ives'. I always consider it an echeveria but just stumbled across the name. The leaf was growing roots in its starter pot and is in bit more soil now, i'll have to check on the roots to see whats happening with it now. Its such an easy plant to make cuttings from its a waste of time to bother with a leaf cutting, but i'm just curious. Thanks again !

[Ravens444]

I've had good luck with flower stem cutting..... One leaf and a chunk of stem. Slowly a plant will develop.