Summary
Elephant bush ( Portulacaria afra ) , a succulent aboriginal to South Africa , is apopular choicefor gardens andlandscapes dueto its unequalled appearance and hardihood . Propagating elephant bush cuttings is a monetary value - effective and rewarding way to increase your industrial plant aggregation . This comprehensive guide will provide you with all the cognition and techniques you need to successfully plant elephant bush cutting and sustain them into palmy industrial plant .
Choosing the Right Cuttings
Selecting healthy elephant bush cuttings is all important forsuccessful propagation . Choose cuttings from mature industrial plant that are free of pests and diseases . appear for stems that are unbendable and have a woody base . Avoid cutting that are too mild or have any mansion of damage .
Preparing the Cuttings
Once you have chosen your cuttings , it is of import to fix them for planting . Using asharp knifeor pruning shears , make aclean cutat a 45 - level slant just below a node ( where theleaves attachto the stem ) . Remove the bottom leaves from the cutting , leaving only a few leaves at the top .
Rooting the Cuttings
There are twomain methodsfor rooting elephant bush carving :
Water Propagation
Fill a container with water system and grade the cuttings in it , ensuring that the cut end is submerge . Keep the container in a warm , bright location , butavoid lineal sunshine . Change thewater regularlyto prevent rot . root willtypically developwithin a few week .
Soil Propagation
Fill a pot with a well - draining potting mix . Make a hole in the grime and insert the cutting , ensuring that the cut closing is covered . softly tauten the soil around the cutting . piddle thesoil lightlyand keep it dampish but not soggy . Roots willtypically developwithin a month .
Transplanting the Cuttings
Once the press cutting have developed astrong root system , they can be transplanted into individual kitty or into the garden . Choose a sens that is somewhat larger than theroot balland fill it with a well - draining potting mix . Make a hole in the soil and gently place the press clipping in it . Fill in the hole with soil and water the plant deeply . If transplanting into the garden , choose a location thatreceives full sunto fond shade and has well - drained soil . get the picture a hole twice the breadth of the solution ball and just as cryptical . put the cutting in the hole and backfill with soil . pee the plant life deep and mulch around the base to keep moisture .
Caring for Planted Cuttings
Water yournewly set elephant bush film editing regularly , specially during the first few weeks after transplanting . Allow the dirt to dry out out somewhat between lacrimation . Fertilize theplants monthlyduring the growing time of year with a balanced liquid fertilizer . Elephant bush cuttings are relatively dispirited - sustainment plants . trim them as require toremove deadordamaged leavesand to shape the industrial plant . Protect the plants from hoarfrost andextreme coldduring the winter month .
Troubleshooting
If yourelephant bush cuttingsare not rooting or are not growing well , there may be a few reasons :
Answers to Your Most Common Questions
Q : How long does it take forelephant bush cuttingsto root?A : Roots typically developwithin a few week forwater propagationand within a month for soil propagation . Q : Can Iroot elephant bush cuttingsin the winter?A : root cuttingsin the winter is not recommended , as thecooler temperaturesand short day can slow down root maturation . Q : How often should I irrigate my elephant President Bush cuttings?A : H2O thecuttings regularly , especially during the first few workweek after transplanting . Allow the land to dry out more or less between waterings . Q : What is the bestpotting mixfor elephant bush cuttings?A : Use a well - drain potting mixing specifically designedfor succulents and cacti . Q : Can Iplant elephant bush cutting directlyin the garden?A : Yes , but it is serious to transplant them into pots first to allow them to develop astrong root systembefore planting them in the garden . Q : How can Iprevent root rotin elephant bush cuttings?A : Ensure that thepotting mixor territory is well - draining and avoid overwatering . Q : What are the signs of overwatering in elephant bush cuttings?A : Overwatered cuttingsmay have yellowing orwilting leaf , sonant stems , and root rot . Q : What are the sign of underwatering in elephant bush cuttings?A : Underwatered cuttingsmay have juiceless , crispy leaves , brown orwilted theme , and stunted growth .
