Propagating African Violets

African Violet: Leaf Cutting Started 6/28/2012

A friend of mine started an African Violet plant for me by using a healthy leaf cutting from her existing plant.

She snipped off a healthy leaf with a stem of about 1 to 1-1/2 inches long.  Then she stuck the stem in some potting soil in a small container.  She watered the plant, and then set the pot inside another clear plastic container.  She then placed a plastic baggy over the clear container to create a tent.  Because the water was trapped in this environment I only had to water it once in the last two and a half months!  I am happy to report new leaves sprouting near the leaf stem!

For first-time African Violet propagators, check out Christian Tamez's video on starting African Violet Plants:  

"Starting African Violets" by Christian Tamez

Happy Earth Day!

Borage Seeds from last year are emerging from the soil

Happy Earth Day everyone!  Sunny and warmer days are finally here, and I have been hard at work in the garden.

Newly Planted Strawberry Surecrop Bed

New Transplants: 

• Strawberry "Surecrop" - I planted a new bed of surecrop strawberries.  These were advertised to be high-yielding crops at an average of 3 pints of berries per plant, and is supposed to be a consistent producer.  
• Early Girl Tomato - This hybrid tomato plant is an early producer and is supposed to bear 5oz fruits. 
• Grape "Catwaba" - These grapes are supposed to be great for making jams and jellies, and even red wine or champagne.  I will have to patient because this is its first year, and grapes generally produce fruit in their second or third year.
• Raspberry "Thornless Canby" - This plant is suppose to produce extra large, bright red raspberries, but I chose it mostly because it is thornless.  
• Horseradish 
• Jalapeno

From Seed:

• Radish "Early Scarlet"
• Spinach "Bloomsdale"
• Red Giant Mustard Greens
• Cantelope
• Black Zuccini
• Bell Pepper "Yellow Monster"
• Watermelon "Sugar Baby"
• Elephant Garlic
• Edamame
• Sugar Snap Peas
• Bell Pepper "Horizon"
• Stuttgarter Giant Onion
• Swiss Chard "Northern Lights"
• Anise
• Balm
• Siam Queen Thai Basil
• Sweet Basil
• Caraway
• Fragrant Lavender
• Chives 
• Horehound
• Sweet Marjoram
• Peppermint
• Sage
• Summer Savory
• Dill
• Calendula
• Marigold
• Sunflowers
• Carnation (mix)

Cuttings - I am attempting to propagate the following plants by cuttings.

• Maple Tree (green)
• Purple Ice Plant
• Geraniums
• Mosquito (repelling) Plant
• Hydrangea

Propagating Stragglers

Photo 1

Photo 2

This flowering plant was spreading across the sidewalk (See Photo 1) so I decided to take a small cutting (See Photo 2).  I am attempting to propagate it using this propagation method.

Plant a Pineapple Head

Photo: Do not plant the fleshy part of the fruit or you will risk the roots rotting

Update: Just plant the green top part of the pineapple in the soil or you risk the root rotting.  Being careful not to hurt your hand, grab the base of the green top and twist.  The green top should easily twist off.  Then remove leaves from the bottom inch (or two inches) of the stem.  Plant the exposed stem in potting soil and water thoroughly.  Place the plant in a shady place, and keep watering your plant.  The plant will take root.  The outer leaves will eventually brown and die, but new leaves will form in the center, and eventually the plant will produce small pineapple fruit. 

Grow a pineapple plant from the top of a pineapple head!

Last Saturday, I had a craving for an "island" burger, which is really just a normal cheeseburger with a nice slice of grilled pineapple.  I had everything to make the burger except the pineapple so I had to ask myself, did I really want an island burger?  It turns out I did so I made a trip to the grocery store for a whole pineapple and some other munchies.

As I was firing up the grill, an idea in one my gardening books jumped out at me---I should try and plant that pineapple head.  According to this book, you can grow a whole new pineapple plant from the top of a pineapple head.  You should plant a pineapple head that is not too ripe, and has leaves that are still green.

My pineapple head's leaves were only partially green so I am curious to see if it still works.  For detailed instructions on planting a pineapple head, you can click here.

Propagating Succulents is Easy

Photo of Mature Black Aeonium and its new babies

My mature black aeonium sprouted baby aeoniums, and it's time for me to find these babies a new home. Propagating succulents is easy. I used a sharp pair of shears to cut the baby succulents from the mother plant. Then I removed the leaves from the base of the stem to expose about 2-inches of the stem.

Photo of Black Aeonium Cuttings

Then I dipped the tips of the stems in some inexpensive rooting hormone, and stuck the cuttings in the ground. I'm giving the succulent cuttings a good watering once every morning. So far everything looks good. I'll give you an update in a month or two.

Note: I have successfully propagated some succulents like jade and christmas cactus by skipping the rooting hormone and just sticking the cuttings in the ground. I chose to use the rooting hormone with the black aeoniums because I'm not sure how hardy black aeoniums are.

Photo of planted Black Aeonium cuttings

I tried this method with an aloe cutting I took a while ago. As you can see in the photo above, the aloe cutting has developed a beautiful root system.

Dahlia Bulbs

White Dahlia Bulbs

In 2006 I planted a Dahlia seed. By the end of that growing season, the seed had grown into a 1" by 1/4" bulb. When I pulled up my bulbs today, I was amazed to find 8 new "baby" bulbs. The mother bulb is about 3" long, and the baby bulbs are anywhere from 1/2" to 2". You can see a photo of the Dahlia bulbs above. I had gently pulled away the 8 baby bulbs from the mother bulb to replant them in new pots.