The quite frugal and easy-care pencil plants can definitely be propagated, preferably with cuttings. However, rooting takes time and is not always successful. To ensure successful breeding, you should cut several cuttings at the same time.
How do I propagate a pencil plant?
To propagate a pencil plant, cut off strong shoots in summer, let them dry for a few days and root them in sandy substrate. Keep the cuttings moderately moist and place them in a bright, warm place out of direct sunlight.
When and how do I take cuttings?
Cut your cuttings in summer when the young shoots are well formed. Choose the strongest and he althiest shoots and cut them off directly above a leaf node. Avoid contact with the poisonous plant sap. It is recommended to wear gloves, as a lot of sap comes out when cutting.
How to plant cuttings?
You can root many cuttings in a glass with water, but this method is less recommended for the pencil bush. The risk of rot is quite high.
Root your cuttings in substrate, then let the cuttings dry for a few days, for example on newspaper or kitchen paper, and use relatively dry and humus-poor substrate. A mixture of cactus soil and sand is well suited. Insert the cuttings about three to five centimeters deep. Water only moderately to prevent your cuttings from rotting.
How do I care for cuttings and young plants?
Place both the cuttings and the young plants in a bright and warm place, but not in the blazing sun. The temperature should be at least 20 °C. You need a little patience for the rooting, it can take a few weeks.
If your new pencil bush sprouts, then it has already formed roots. Continue to water moderately and repot the pencil plant after a few months. In the first year you should not expose the plant to direct sunlight. A place in partial shade is better for you.
The most important things in brief:
- Offshoots are best cut in summer
- let it dry for a few days
- root in sandy substrate
- keep only moderately moist
- Transplant only after new leaves have sprouted
- Do not place young plants in full sun and only water them sparingly
Tip
When cutting your cuttings, make sure that your hands do not come into contact with the milky plant sap, as this can trigger severe allergic reactions.
