The most common propagation methods of succulent plants are planting, cuttings, grafting, division, etc.
- Planting: Among succulents, except for a few types that can self-pollinate, most of them should be insect-pollinated or bird-pollinated, and artificial pollination must be used to produce fruit.
The lifespan of succulent seeds is relatively short, such as the lifespan of Guangtang seeds, which is only a few weeks. Usually, the germination rate of succulent seeds drops rapidly after being stored at a constant temperature for 1 year. Therefore, many succulent seeds are harvested and sown immediately after they mature or stored for sowing in the spring of the following year.
- Cuttings: It is the most common way to propagate succulents, and the common ones are leaf cuttings, stem cuttings and root cuttings
- 1.Leaf cuttings, often use fat leaves to place on a slightly moist sand bed or loose soil surface, and they will quickly take root, and adventitious buds will grow at the base of the leaves to form small main stems, such as Tianzhang, Echeveria, and large-leafed ground roots.
- Stem cuttings. In the breeding process of succulents, pruning is combined to cut branches and trunks as cuttings, such as Desert Rose, Purple Dragon Horn, Tiger Thorn, Caiyun Pavilion, etc. Desert Rose, African Overlord Tree, Qingfeng, etc., which will secrete white latex at the cut wound, must be cleaned and dried for a while before cutting branches, the effect is better.
- Root cuttings. The roots of precious species such as Green Jade Fan are very thick and prosperous. Cut off the more mature fleshy roots and bury them in the sand bed with the upper end slightly exposed. Maintain the necessary moisture and light, and new buds can grow from the top of the root to form a new plant.
- Grafting: In succulent plants, grafting is often used to propagate variegated and embellished varieties. For example, the king whip is used as a sticky wood, and the spring peak is grafted; the horse tooth tree is used as a sticky wood, and the dance of elegant music is grafted; the African king tree is used as a sticky wood, and the African king tree is grafted with embellishment; the large flower rhinoceros horn is used as a sticky wood, and the purple dragon horn is grafted, etc., which are highly ornamental. However, during the grafting process, because the plant contains white emulsion, it is very sticky. Therefore, grafting requires speed and skill to be successful.
- Division: Division is the simplest and safest way to breed succulents. As long as the succulent plants with rosette leaves or clusters can be propagated by their suckers, runners, bulbs, tubers and small plants. Division can be carried out when the pot is turned over in spring. Among succulents, species with variegated, such as Golden Edge Tiger Tail Orchid, Princess Thunder God Brocade, Never-Sleeping City Brocade, Green Jade Fan Brocade, etc., must be propagated by division to maintain the authenticity of their species.
Succulent plants look very cute. They are a kind of potted flowers that can be used for landscaping. They are easy to maintain and can grow very well without special maintenance.
The best time for propagation: in spring or autumn.
The most suitable soil: it should be loose, ventilated, well-drained, granular sandy loam that can provide the nutrients needed for the growth of succulents.
The most suitable humidity: it likes to grow in spring and autumn, when the air humidity is relatively high.
The most suitable temperature: the temperature is best between 15 and 28 degrees, the lowest cannot be lower than 5 degrees, and the highest cannot be higher than 35 degrees.
The most suitable light: succulents like to grow in a semi-shaded environment, and their leaves are fat and round. Therefore, add a layer of sunscreen net from May to September, and remove the sunscreen net from October to April of the following year to give them full-day light.
Common problems in growing succulents:
Fertilization: Winter-type and intermediate-type plants should be fertilized with diluted liquid fertilizer or compound fertilizer every 20 days or so. Fertilization can be done in the morning when the weather is clear, and be careful not to splash the fertilizer liquid on the main stem. Summer-type plants do not need to be fertilized.
Watering precautions: Under normal circumstances, watering must be sufficient, so the soil must be loosened frequently so that the potting soil can absorb water evenly. For growing winter-type and intermediate-type plants, the bonsai soil should be kept moist without water accumulation. Watering should be done after it is completely dry before watering. Neither water accumulation nor excessive dryness is allowed. Summer-type plants can be watered moderately, but not too much. If it rains or the temperature drops suddenly, no watering is required.
Pruning steps: Pruning of succulents includes pinching, thinning, strong pruning, removing residual flowers, picking buds, root pruning, etc., which are conducive to better growth.
Bonsai soil replacement: depending on the type and the size of the main stem, it should be replaced every 1 to 2 years or 3 years (some seedlings can even be planted several times a year, which is the so-called move, grow bigger). For most types, the pots are usually turned over in mid-to-late March, and the plants are divided and cultivated during the potting process.
Prevent root rot: excessive watering, too humid air, and no insect repellent are all causes of succulent root rot! Succulent plants with rotten roots are discolored and softened. If you find succulent plants with rotten roots, you must cut them off as soon as possible. It is best to disinfect the used scissors to avoid infecting other main stems. Breeding key points: After the leaf cuttings take root, it is best to wait until the leaves wither and the buds grow up before moving. When leaf cuttings are used, a large pot must be used, and spraying is not allowed. Water when the soil is dry, and it is best not to water the leaves above. Division propagation: Many succulent plants are clumping and will definitely have large tubers. They can be propagated by division. After removing the main stem from the pot, remove the bonsai soil as much as possible. The specific method of using fiber cuttings depends on the growth type of the main stem. For example, multi-headed species in the Asclepiadaceae, Crassulaceae, and Cactaceae can be cut into thin cuttings when the pot is turned over. The young plants that grow well and have taken root can be separated and potted separately. Side bud propagation: Many cacti and succulent plants will grow side buds or young balls on the base of the mature plants. They are usually easy to remove or cut off. After being placed in the sun for a few days, they can be potted separately. Doing so is also beneficial to the mother plant. These side buds or young balls consume a lot of nutrients from the mother plant. Some green plants will produce sucker buds on the edges of leaves and scapes, which can also be removed for cultivation.
Pest prevention: 1. Red spiders can be killed by increasing the relative humidity of the air, reducing and preventing the spread of them. They can be killed by sucking 40{bf} trichlorodimethoate 1000-1500 times solution, or avermectin. 2. Scale insects can be removed with a brush when the number is small. In addition, they can also be sprayed with 800-1000 times solution of Supusha. Mixing a sufficient amount of furadan in the nutrient soil has a preventive effect, but the drug effect can only last for 3 months. 3. Whiteflies, in addition to improving the ventilation of the environment, they can be sprayed with 40{bf} omethoate emulsifiable concentrate 1000-2000 times solution in the early stage of occurrence, and can also be sprayed with 500 times solution of Marathon or 1000 times solution of Dimethoate mixed with Dichlorvos. After 2 days of spraying, use super strong running water to erode the dead insects together with the black powder.