My Succulent Leaf Cutting Is Only Producing Roots

Leaf Cuttings

• You can propagate the rosette-forming, many-leaved succulents such as echeverias from leaf cuttings, as well as crassulas, graptopetalums, gasterias and kalanchoes. Carefully but swiftly pull the leaf off the stem with a slight twist to break it clean. Take leaves from a stem you've cut off the plant or from around the base of the main stem if the plant doesn't have multiple stems. Don't bother with leaves that have begun to shrivel, yellow or rot. You want a plump, healthy leaf for best results.

Callusing

• Lay the leaf on a dry surface to form a callus at the cut end. You can rest it on a tray full of dry cactus mix while it calluses, which takes three or four days. The purpose of callusing is to seal the broken tissues so they don't absorb too much water and rot, having no plantlet to support. Make your own cactus mix from one part sand, one part perlite or fine pumice and one part potting mix.

Root Formation

• Place the cut leaf horizontally on a tray of cactus mix or prop it up along the edge of the container so its cut end rests on the mix. Don't bury the end of the leaf. Place the tray in a bright area but away from direct sun. Mist the soil so that it is thoroughly moist and continue to mist when it dries out. Root formation takes three to six weeks, depending on temperature, time of year and plant variety. Air roots will form at the cut end of the leaf and then root into the soil. When new growth starts, keep the soil moist but not wet until the plantlet is fully developed.

Transplanting

• Using a dinner fork or small spade made for houseplants, dig under the new plant and transfer it to a pot filled with moist cactus mix into which you have made a center depression. Firm the mix around the plant's roots and water with a mild solution of liquid kelp in water to encourage establishment and root growth. Place the pot where it will get bright light and in a week transfer it to a window with direct sun.