How to propagate astringent pearl plant
A comprehensive introduction to how to propagate astringent pearl plants and related knowledge about propagation techniques, as follows:
Cultivating astringent pearl plants is challenging when it comes to root growth; with the right method, a single branch can grow into a "green waterfall."
The astringent pearl plant, also known as green bead plant, is a succulent plant from the Asteraceae family. Although an individual plant may not be impressive, lacking the plump and adorable appearance of many other Crassulaceae succulents, a group of astringent pearl plants growing together can form a very spectacular green waterfall. However, many friends say that astringent pearl plants are very difficult to cultivate, failing year after year. What is the reason?
The difficulty in cultivating astringent pearl plants mainly lies in the propagation process. The stems are very thin, and after potting, the delicate stems easily dry out if not handled with care. The small round leaves cannot root on their own, resulting in a scattered appearance. However, once the propagation takes root, they are very easy to care for, with some experts even growing astringent pearl plants into curtains. Let's learn about the process and precautions for potting astringent pearl plants.
1. Preparations
Firstly, prepare a pot and soil. Choose a pot according to personal preference, and the soil should be loose and breathable. You can use a mixture of peat and perlite in a 2:1 ratio or add some coarse sand or other granular soil. After preparing the pot and soil, select healthy and full branches of astringent pearl plants as cuttings.
2. Potting cuttings
The next step is to pot the cuttings of the astringent pearl plant, which is the most crucial part. Many gardening enthusiasts insert only the lower end of the astringent pearl plant into the potting soil, leaving most of the upper part exposed, which is not scientific. As mentioned earlier, the stems of astringent pearl plants are very delicate and may dry out if water supply is insufficient. Since it takes time for the roots to develop, this potting method often results in the stems drying out before the roots form.
The correct method for potting astringent pearl plants is to coil the branches in the pot, allowing more parts of the branches to come into contact with the soil for root growth opportunities. Specifically, fill the pot with soil, leaving a 2-3 cm space from the edge, then coil the branches in the pot and cover them with 0.5-1 cm of soil, leaving some leaves covered and some exposed.
After covering with soil, gently water the plant with a watering can, then place it in a well-ventilated area with scattered light, avoiding direct sunlight. Usually, you don't need to pay much attention to it; just water it occasionally when watering other plants. After a while, new branches will sprout from the pot, indicating that the astringent pearl plant has rooted and can be maintained normally.
3. Post-rooting care
When new branches start growing, the plants in the pot may not be evenly distributed. At this time, you can specifically coil the new branches into empty spaces in the pot, resulting in a dense growth of astringent pearl plants.
As mentioned earlier, once the astringent pearl plant has rooted and survived, its care is very simple. Unlike other succulents, it doesn't require abundant sunlight and can be placed in a well-ventilated area with scattered light, whether flat or hung. Watering doesn't need to be as controlled as with succulents, just keep the soil slightly moist and well-drained without waterlogging.