Jade plant propagation by cuttings is an important process to learn and not an easy task, but a few effective steps will make it easier. Propagating jade plants by cuttings is a great way to preserve a favorite plant.
This guide consists of simple steps to help you propagate jade plants for the first time. Keep reading to learn more about jade plant care.
How To Easily Propagate Jade Plants by Cuttings?
To easily propagate jade plants by cuttings, you need to choose a healthy stem, cut the stem, allow the cutting to callus, plant the cutting, care for the cutting, and transplant the new plant. You’ll need to allow the cutting to callus first before planting it.
There are contrasting varieties of the plant, such as Crassula arborescens, Crassula marnieriana, Crassula multicava, Crassula falcata, Portulacaria afra, and Pigmyweeds which may be propagated using similar methods.
1. Choose a Healthy Stem
When choosing a stem to propagate a jade by cuttings, selecting a healthy and sturdy section is important to produce a healthy new plant. The stem should be 3-4 inches long to provide enough material for the new plant to grow. If the stem is too short, it may not have enough nutrients to sustain the new plant.
Look for a healthy stem free from damage, disease, or pests. Avoid stems that are yellowed, wilted, or have brown spots, as these may indicate an unhealthy plant. Choosing a stem that is not too old or young is best. Young stems may need to be mature enough to root successfully, while older stems may be too woody and difficult to propagate.
The stem should have at least a few leaves, as these will provide the energy for the new plant to grow. Avoid stems with too many leaves, as they may compete for nutrients, making it harder for the stem to root. Choose a stem growing from the plant’s main trunk or stem rather than from a side branch. This will ensure the new plant has a strong and stable root system.
2. Cut the Stem
After selecting a healthy stem to propagate your jades by cuttings, it’s important to make a clean and precise cut to ensure the success of the propagation process. Use clean and sharp scissors or some small pruning shears to make the cut. This will minimize damage to the stem and reduce the risk of infection.
How to cut Jade plant trunk? Choose a spot below the plant leaf node to cut, as this is where the stem is most likely to produce roots and new growth. Cut the Jade stem at a 45-degree angle to maximize the surface area for rooting. This will allow the stem to absorb more water and nutrients from the soil and help it establish a strong root system.
Remove any leaves on the stem’s lower part once you’ve cut it. This will lessen the amount of moisture lost through transpiration and direct more energy toward rooting. After cutting the stem, allow it to callus over for some days before planting. This will prevent the stem from rotting when planted and improve the chances of successful rooting.
3. Allow the Cutting to Callus
After cutting the stem for your jade’s propagation, allowing it to callus before planting it is important. Callusing forms a dry and hardened tissue layer at the cut end of the stem, which helps prevent moisture loss and reduce the risk of rotting.
Depending on humidity but also temperature, it may take a few days to a week for the cut end of the jade stem to callus. You can check the progress by gently touching the cut end to see if it feels dry and hardened.
Find a dry and warm spot to place the cutting while it’s callusing. Avoid direct sunlight or humid conditions, as these can slow the callusing process or cause the stem to rot. Make sure that the cut end of the stem is facing up so that it doesn’t collect moisture or soil when placed on a surface.
Allow for good air circulation around the cutting to prevent moisture buildup, which can encourage mold or rot. Check on the cutting regularly to ensure it’s not showing any signs of damage or rotting. If you notice any issues, remove the damaged portion of the stem or replant it in fresh soil.
How to root large Jade cutting? For rooting large jade cutting, you need to follow the same process as rooting a smaller cutting, but allow the cutting to callus for a longer period and use a larger container and well-draining soil for planting.
4. Plant the Cutting
Once the cutting of the plant has formed a callus, it’s time to plant it. Use well-draining soil which is rich in nutrients. A mix of perlite and potting soil or sand works well.
Choose a small pot that is slightly larger than the cutting. This will help prevent waterlogging and allow for good drainage. Plant the cutting so the callused end is below the soil’s surface. This will help it establish roots and prevent them from drying out.
Water the cutting lightly but regularly, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged. Place the pot with the jade plant in a bright but indirect light location. That’s because direct sunlight can scorch the cutting and slow down the rooting process. Also, maintain a warm temperature of around 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit to encourage rooting.
5. Care for the Cutting
After planting the cutting of your jade, provide proper care to ensure its success. Water the cutting regularly, keeping the soil moist but not soggy wet. Excessive watering can lead to issues like root rot and pest problems.
Jades prefer a relatively humid environment. You can elevate the humidity by placing a pot of water near the plant or by misting it regularly. Once the cutting has rooted and shows new growth, you can begin fertilizing it with a balanced fertilizer. Be sure to follow the pointers on the label and avoid over-fertilizing, which can damage the plant.
6. Transplant the new Plant
Once your jade plant cutting has grown and established a healthy root system, it’s time to transplant it into a larger pot or outside in a garden bed. If you’re transplanting the jade plant into a larger pot, choose a pot slightly larger than the current one. This will allow the plant to grow and prevent waterlogging.
Use well-draining soil which is rich in nutrients. You can mix potting soil with perlite or sand to improve drainage. Water the plant well after transplanting, and continue to water it regularly, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged. Place the plant in a bright but indirect light location.
How to grow Jade plant faster? Once the plant has been transplanted, you can begin fertilizing it with a balanced fertilizer to encourage faster growth. If transplanting to an outdoor garden, gradually expose the plant to the outdoor conditions by placing it outside for increasing periods over a few days.
How to make Jade plant bushy? To make a jade plant bushy, prune the stem tips regularly to encourage branching and pinch off new growth to promote fuller foliage.
FAQs
– How To Deal With Jade Plant Roots on Stem?
To deal with jade plant roots on the jade stem, gently remove the plant from its pot, carefully prune away the roots using clean scissors or pruning shears, and then replant the jade plant in fresh soil. Use sterilized shears to prevent transferring fungi and other pathogens to the plant.
– Is Propagating Jade Plant in Water Possible?
Yes, propagating jade plants in water is possible, but it may take longer than propagating in soil and requires changing the water frequently to prevent bacteria growth. You should make sure that all the leaves that are underwater are removed.
– Is Propagating Jade Plant From Leaf Possible?
Yes, propagating a jade plant from a leaf is possible, but it may take longer than propagating from a stem cutting, and success rates can vary. Breaking off the leaves instead of cleanly cutting them might improve the chances of them rooting.
Conclusion
Propagating jade plants by cuttings is, without a doubt, a challenging task. However, you can do it effectively by following simple steps that require minimal tools and expertise, and even novice gardeners can successfully propagate jade plant cuttings. Here’s a summary of what you just read:
- Look for a healthy stem on your jade plant with a few leaves. The stem should be at least 3-4 inches long, and you should use clean, sharp scissors or pruning tools to cut the stem just below a leaf node.
- After cutting the stem, place it in a dry, shady spot for a few days to allow the cut end to callus over. This will help prevent rot when you plant the cutting.
- The soil should be moist, but overwatering should be avoided. Within a few weeks, you should start seeing new growth from the top of the cutting, indicating that it has rooted and is growing into a new plant.
- Once the new plant has grown a few inches tall, relocate it into a larger pot or container with fresh soil. Keep the jade plant in a spot with bright, indirect light and regularly water it.
Executing the steps correctly when propagating jade plants by cuttings is significant, so we hope you have learned how to propagate jade plants by cuttings from this guide.
- 25 Kalanchoe Types and Colorful Varieties for Your Garden - October 3, 2023
- 17 Hawaiian Flowers That Grow and Thrive in the Hot Summer - October 2, 2023
- Watering a Poinsettia and How is it Done Correctly? - September 30, 2023
