Adromischus propagation (13 pics)

It's not easy to find information on Adromischus propagation in general. Actually, there is basically no information at all. These days I have been trying to figure it out on my own.

I have to say, propagation by leaf cuttings is rather straightforward. Even a complete newbie like me can successfully get backup copy plants by sticking leaves into pumice. It is recommended to leave the substrate with leaf cuttings dry, however, I do water it a little. It's risky and so far I have lost one healthy leaf to rot but I think roots come out quicker this way. So if you follow my example, do it at your own risk. Roots normally come after a couple of weeks already. For leaves you might have to wait much longer. Once the new leaves come you're on the safe side.

If you want to propagate your plant it is better to take a bigger healthier leaf. I know, you don't want to ruin the looks of the mother plant (those leaves grow very slowly) and would probably take an older uglier leaf from the bottom. That's no problem. Just don't wait too long, not until it gets shriveled and spotty. It still has to be firm, big and fresh and full of water (water the plant several days before snipping off the leaf if necessary) to give the new plant a better start. The new plant will feed of this leaf for up to one year. The bigger that first leaf the quicker the new plant will grow.

So here are some of this year's cuttings.

These are the leaves of an Adromischus marianiae "Little Spheroid" plant that arrived in spare parts in April. After approximately 4 months there are now new leaves showing. But make no mistake, these are only 5 out of the 14 leaves planted. All the rest of them don't show any new growth at all, although they have grown massive root systems.

As you can see, the roots are very well developed and the plant makes sure to grow all this bulk before it starts growing leaves.

Here is a leaf cutting from another "Little Spheroid" plant. The initial leaf was bigger and, even though it was planted later than those kids above, the resulting plant is much stronger and much further along.

Here are the 4 Adromischus marianiae v. herrei "Lime Drops" leaves I planted back in April.

This one seems not to recognize gravity as a growing guide. It's all over the place. Roots grow upwards, leaves grow downwards. I didn't even know how to plant it best. Maybe I should have cut off one of the roots and planted it sideways. 

This Adromischus marianae v. herrei Alveolatus, Kinderle was planted end of May and has just started growing new leaves.

They are all so small at the moment. It's hard to imagine they will look like their mother plants at some point. But the growth spurt will come eventually. Below is a plant I grew from a leaf only last year. After 1,5 years it looks like a perfect adult plant.

I plan to write about Adromischus propagation by seed soon, too. Or rather the pollination part of it. Growing them from seed is not particularly difficult but you need to be very patient. Below are 15 months old seedlings. They still look like nothing. Cute though.