The Clusia, also known as the balsam apple, is not one of the most popular houseplants for nothing. From the shiny, plate-sized leaves to the ease of care, the plant has numerous advantages. Among other things, the Clusia is very easy to propagate. Try it out, we'll explain to you step by step how to do it.
How to propagate a Clusia plant?
To propagate a Clusia, cut 15-20 cm long shoots from the mother plant, let the interface dry and plant them in a nursery pot. Alternatively, place the shoots in a glass of water and observe root growth before transplanting them into soil.
Propagate Clusia - Instructions
Usually you propagate a balsam apple from cuttings. How to proceed:
- Cut 15 to 20 cm long, he althy shoots from the mother plant.
- Place the scissors above or below a leaf axis.
- Let the interface dry briefly.
- Prepare a seed pot (€10.00 on Amazon) and slightly moisten the substrate.
- You must also keep the substrate moist in the following weeks.
- However, waterlogging should be avoided.
- Do not water until the top layer of soil has dried.
- If the shoots are strong enough, you can separate them and transplant them into separate pots.
Alternative method
Did you know that you can grow cuttings without any substrate? Hydroponics is a useful way to propagate the balsam apple, especially for allergy sufferers. To do this, put the young shoots in a glass of water. Change the water regularly and keep it in a bright location. You should only avoid direct sunlight. The great thing about this method is that you can closely observe root growth. Small water roots will soon form, signaling that you can soon transplant your Clusia into the ground. Do this very carefully so as not to damage the delicate roots.
Accelerate germination
Regardless of the method you choose, it is advisable to put a transparent plastic film over the growing pot or glass vase. In this way you increase the humidity and create a greenhouse effect. This simple construction can be compared to a mini greenhouse, which offers your balsam apple an optimal environment for rapid growth. By airing the film once a day, you can avoid mold formation.
