Succulent Leaf Propagation

The weather is at its best today and I am so grateful. The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat watch in effect from last Friday through Sunday evening (with temperatures as high as 106° Fahrenheit). I hope that just like us, everyone else is making plans for the upcoming days. Be it a trip to the Beach, Lake, Book Store, the Mall or just staying indoors and cooling off. Though I am not fond of High Winds, these are the times I really wish for them as they always help alleviate the hot weather conditions.

My garden looks lovely and the plants are thriving in this hot weather. I deadheaded some Roses and some Petunias. After going around the property searching for Squirrels holes (none so far) and making sure that no plants have been disturbed/damaged on the Raised Garden Beds; I checked on some of my Succulents to see if the leaves I planted a couple of weeks ago had sprouted roots. And what a pleasant surprise!

I use two methods to propagate my leaves:
1.  Setting the leaves on top of the soil
2. Sticking them into the ground.
The second method is the one I use when propagating my Succulents outdoors. I made the mistake of setting some leaves on top of the soil, just to find out that they had all disappeared the following day. I blamed the disappearance on the Wind. I can’t say for sure that some Squirrels ate them; however, I have seen one gnawing on my Aptenia Cordifolia (Baby Sun Rose), Portulaca Oleracea (Purslane) and Portulaca Grandiflora (Moss-Rose).

After that unfortunate incidence, I decided to stick a few leaves in the ground, all disappeared except for one. As I gently pulled it out, I was happy to see that it’s been busy growing roots and what appears to be leaves? I moved it to a bigger planter along with my Sedum Morganianum (Donkey Tail). I will continue to water it regularly while allowing the soil to dry a little between watering (to avoid killing the plant).

Happy Gardening!