Cotyledon orbiculata, commonly known as Pig's Ear Plant, sometimes grows in an expansive pattern, impeding other plants. While it does not take up too much water, it can still steal sunlight and root space for your other flora in your arid garden. With the right tools and environment, you can get clippings to grow so you can have multiple plants in your possession.
Step 1 – Divide Cutting
When you divide a Cotyledon, you are simply taking a branch off. Succulents do not like metal cutting them. It is best to snap your cutting off the plant with two fingers. This minimizes the wound in the succulent branch, which should be firm but slightly spongy when you pinch it. It would be like pinching an artery to slow blood flow, so it is with the sap in your Pig's Ear Plant stems. Make sure you wash your hands! You do not want to cause infection to your plant because of some dirt on your fingers.
Find the appropriate stem, which should have at least 2 inches (5 cm) of stem length and at least 1 or 2 nodes of leaves on it. Pinch it and break it off.
Step 2 – Get it to Root
Now you have to get your cutting to root. First, dip your cutting stem-end in rooting hormone, enough to coat the part that was broken off the plant.
Next, wet your paper towel sheets (about 3) in your warm water and wring out some of the water. You do not want them to be wet enough to cause rot.
Wrap your paper towel around the stem and lay it on a plate, but try to keep the leaves dry. Next, put it in a warm, sunny spot, keep the paper towel clean, and change it out as necessary, repeating the wetting and wrapping process whenever you change the paper towel. Keep the paper towel damp, keep your cutting in the sun as much as possible, and you should have a rooted cutting in about 3 to 4 weeks.
Step 3 – Planting
Now, all you have to do is a pot or plant your Pig's Ear Plant. Do this by putting it in very well-drained soil made from a cactus mix with a handful of pea gravel. Mix the two, and make a well in the center using 2 or 3 of your fingers. You only want the hole as deep as the root is long, no longer. Gently place the rooted Pig's Ear Plant into the hole and pat the soil around it. Mist the soil with a bit of water, keeping it sparing, and if you want to fertilize the soil, you can use an organic cactus mix. Just follow the directions on the package.
Step 4 – Take Care
You are finished with the planting part, but that is only half the story. You must take care of it and ensure it grows into a healthy adult plant. Water it sparingly now, maybe once a week, with a misting bottle right around the base of the plant. Keep your Pig's Ear Plant in full sun or at least partial sun, and it should flourish for you with no problem.
That is it. You are done. You have got a brand new plant exactly like the parent plant, and you can put it in any sunny spot.
Source: doityourself.com
Links
- Back to genus Cotyledon
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus