My Journey Into Propagation - 4 Lessons I've Learned

Hello Everyone!

Today, I have another Plant Something New blog post for you. This time, I’m talking about propagation. I mentioned in my previous posts that I’ve tried to propagate my current indoor plants, before, and while I’ve been successful for the most part, I have had some failures too. In fact, one of the succulent plants I have is not the original. It was grown from a “baby” my previous succulent grew. I just managed to plant it at the right time and in the right conditions, for it to grow into what it is now. The one I had before, sadly died, because its roots were rotted, and it couldn’t stand the cold weather outdoors.

My Propagated Lipstick Echeveria Is Thriving

Nevertheless, there were lessons I’ve learned from this, especially since I’ve successfully propagated the succulent baby, and more recently a baby mint plant that I only bought a couple of months ago. From simply planting the fresh stem into compost, to using rooting powder, here are 4 lessons I’ve learned, from my journey into propagation.

1.   Sometimes Just Planting It Works

There were a few tips I tried to follow, when I first started propagating my plants. The first was to let the leaf cuttings dry out a little, on kitchen towel, before planting in soil. Needless to say, it didn’t work. I forgot one important step and that was to use rooting hormone to help the roots grow. However, the second time I tried to propagate my plants, I literally stuck the cutting into some compost and hoped for the best, and it worked! I soon grew a new Lipstick Echeveria plant that's now thriving on my windowsill.

From this, I learned that just planting the thing in soil and waiting for a few days works. After all, our ancestors didn’t have the technology we have now, so of course they would have just stuck their crops and leaves in the ground and waited for something to happen. Sometimes it just works. So, if you want to start propagating, give it a try, just stick your leaf cutting into the ground and wait for it to grow. It’s not that hard.

2.   There Are Seasons To Plants, Propagate When Appropriate

Some plants can last all year round, like the succulents, but perennial plants, the ones that die off in winter, are dormant during the season, so it would be difficult, or almost impossible, to propagate any of them around that time. Even succulents, although they don’t die off in winter, are still dormant during the winter months, so if you want to try and propagate them, the chances of success are very slim. Of course, there are some plants that thrive in winter, and you'll most likely find those in northern countries, so you may be able to propagate them during those cold months, but remember, follow the professional advice on this, don't take my word for it (I'm still a beginner as well, after all).

Source

So, always look at the calendar, and do your research before you try. Most of the time, propagating your plants yield the best results in spring or summer. Some might be successful in autumn, but for the most part, it’s best to try during the two warmer seasons, because your plants will be working to that rhythm. They’ll wake up in spring, and be the most active in summer. Of course, that doesn’t mean all plants are like that. So, do your research first, listen to the professionals, and follow instructions, before diving in.

3.   Use Rooting Hormone

Now, if you have the resources and time to experiment, you can try using gardening aids, like rooting hormone. Some come in liquid form, others come in powder form. I personally use the powder, since it’s less messy and I know I won’t be spilling it everywhere, since all I need to do is dip the cutting in the powder, before waiting and letting the magic work.

There are also some steps that professional gardeners and more experienced hands suggest, like soaking the cutting in water first, and waiting for the roots to grow, before potting them. Be aware that some plants and some cuttings don’t like this. Sometimes, they do just prefer being in soil, from the get-go. So, as always, do the research first, and follow the instructions that you’re following, closely. Don’t skip steps. Otherwise, you'll need to start again, with a new cutting.

4.   Be Patient

One of my vices is my impatience. Every time I start a project, or I’m working on something that takes time, I tend to want it finished, and yield results immediately (thank the digital age for that), but I know, as with all things natural, it takes time. It takes a lot of experimentation, and it takes a lot of waiting around.

So, when propagating, be patient. You’re going to make mistakes and fail sometimes. That’s not an exaggeration. Even I’ve had to learn that lesson, when I began my propagating journey. You’re not going to be successful every time, unless you’re an expert. It will take time and a lot of trial and error. So, slow down, wait. The roots will come, and soon, you’ll have a healthy new plant in your garden.

Get Propagating!

Well, there you have it, a short and sweet post this time, since I’ve only just begun my journey into propagating recently. Once I have more plants, more babies, and I’ve had time to grow my garden, I’ll update you with more tips that I’ve learned. For now, get propagating yourself. It’s the season, so go ahead and get started now. You’ll find joy in watching your new babies grow from two leaves to four and then become the bush, flower, or tree it was meant to be.

I know I’m already proud of the babies I’ve managed to cultivate, in my room. It’s made me think about propagating some of my neighbours’ bushes (not that I will…). Anyway, be sure to let me know if you’ve managed to propagate any of your plants, and send me photos! I’d love to see them.

Well, that’s it from me today, I’m going to film the next bullet journal video for you guys. In the meantime, please don’t forget to like, subscribe, comment, share and follow me, here on Feather’s Charm, on my YouTube channel, on my social media channels, and on Patreon. Your support really helps me make more content like this, for you guys.

And as always, be kind, be creative, and be unique.

I’ll see you later!

Feather, out!