Euphorbia milii, commonly known as Crown of Thorns, is a popular succulent known for its spiny stems and colorful cup-shaped flowers. It propagates in several ways, but cuttings provide the simplest and most fool-proof method of creating new plants at home.
When to Propagate
Cuttings require warm conditions and bright light to root, so spring or summer are the best times to take cuttings. The cuttings taken in fall or winter will not have sufficient time to root before cold weather sets in and are more likely to produce an unhealthy, short-lived plant.
Choose a Cutting
Fleshy new stems root more easily than older stems. It is best to propagate the Crown of Thorns in spring and summer when new growth forms. When choosing a cutting, look for a stem 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) long and no thicker than your pinky finger. It should have a few leaf buds or young leaves at the tip and no signs of damage or disease.
Preparation
Between its sharp spines and mildly toxic sap, Crown of Thorns puts up a fight when it comes to taking cuttings. However, the right preparation helps minimize the risk of injury to yourself and the plant. Wear thick gloves to protect your fingers from the spines and sap. Also, sharpen the blade of your cutting knife and clean it with rubbing alcohol to ensure a clean cut.
Take the Cutting
Cuttings need to dry out before potting to reduce the risk of rot. Take the cutting by slicing straight through the stem 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) back from the tip. Rinse the cutting under cold water, then immediately dab the cut-end with powdered rooting hormone to stop the sap flow. Set the cutting on a paper towel in a warm, dry place for a few days or until the cut-end appears dry and slightly puckered.
Pot the Cutting
Crown of Thorns needs fast-draining, slightly sandy soil, as with all succulents. Pot the cutting in a moist mixture of half potting soil and half sand. Stick the cut-end straight down into the center of the soil mix, burying the bottom half of the cutting. Contact between the soil and the cutting is key to successful rooting, so firmly press the soil around the cutting, taking care not to prick your fingers on the spines.
Cutting Care
Cuttings require very little attention once potted. Simply set the potted cutting in a warm, dry place where temperatures stay above 70 °F (21 °C) and protect it from direct sunlight. Use a propagation mat to warm the pot if your home is on the cool side. Drizzle water around the base of the cutting whenever the soil feels completely dry in the top inch (2.5 cm), but do not saturate the soil. New growth should appear in a few weeks.
Rooting in Water
Another method for propagating the Crown of Thorns is to root the cutting in water. Place the cutting in a tall, narrow glass with 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water in the bottom. Keep the cutting in bright, indirect sunlight; roots will appear in 2 weeks or less. Once roots appear, pot the cutting in a soil mixture designed for cacti and succulents.
Warning
Crown of Thorns contains a white sap that causes irritation and burning on the skin and mucus membranes. Keep them away from children and pets.
Source: sfgate.com
Links
- Back to genus Euphorbia
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus