Hello fellow plant lovers! Today, I want to talk about a succulent that has been bringing me so much joy lately: Crassothonna cacalioides. You might know it by its other name, Little Pickles, and honestly, the name couldn’t be more fitting for its adorably plump, finger-like leaves. It’s one of those plants that just makes a statement with its unique form and vibrant green color. Plus, it’s surprisingly rewarding to watch a tiny cutting transform into a robust new plant. For beginners? I’d say it’s a pretty forgiving plant to start propagating. You’ll likely have great success!
The Best Time to Start
My favorite time to get my hands dirty with Crassothonna cacalioides propagation is during its active growing season. For most of us, this means late spring through summer. The plant is energized and ready to put on new growth, which means it’s much more likely to root successfully. Trying to propagate when the plant is dormant in the cooler months is just asking for disappointment.
Supplies You’ll Need
To get started with your propagation adventure, here’s what you’ll want to gather:
- Clean, sharp pruning shears or a knife: For making clean cuts.
- Well-draining succulent or cactus potting mix: This is crucial! You can buy a pre-made mix or create your own with potting soil, perlite, and coarse sand.
- Pots or trays: Small pots (around 4-inch) or seed trays work perfectly. Make sure they have drainage holes.
- Optional: Rooting hormone: While not strictly necessary for Crassothonna cacalioides, it can give your cuttings a little boost.
- Optional: Bottom heat mat: This can really speed up root development, especially if your home tends to be on the cooler side.
- Watering can or spray bottle: For gently watering your new babies.
Propagation Methods
Crassothonna cacalioides is wonderfully adaptable, and I find these methods work best:
Stem Cuttings
This is my go-to method. It’s straightforward and usually yields a high success rate.
- Take a cutting: Choose a healthy stem and use your clean shears to make a clean cut just above a leaf node. You’ll want sections that are at least 3-4 inches long. Remove any leaves from the bottom inch or so of the stem.
- Let it callus: This is a vital step, especially with succulents. Place your cuttings in a dry, well-ventilated spot away from direct sunlight for 2-5 days. You’ll see the cut end dry and form a protective callus. This prevents rot when you plant them.
- Plant the cuttings: Once callused, gently insert the bottom of the cutting into your prepared succulent potting mix. You can plant a few cuttings in the same pot, spaced a couple of inches apart.
- Water sparingly: Wait a few days after planting before watering. Then, water lightly just to moisten the soil. Avoid overwatering!
Leaf Cuttings (Less Common, but Possible)
While stem cuttings are my favorite, you can sometimes propagate from leaves, though it’s less reliable with Crassothonna cacalioides compared to some other succulents.
- Gently remove a leaf: Twist a healthy leaf from the stem. Make sure you get the entire leaf, including the base where it attaches to the stem.
- Callus the leaf: Just like with stem cuttings, allow the leaf to callus over for a few days.
- Lay on soil: Place the callused end of the leaf on top of your succulent potting mix.
- Mist lightly: Mist the soil surface occasionally, keeping it slightly humid but not wet. If you’re lucky, tiny baby plants will emerge from the base of the leaf.
The “Secret Sauce” (Pro Tips)
Here are a couple of tricks I’ve learned over the years that can really make a difference:
- Don’t let the leaves touch the water (if you try water propagation): Honestly, I rarely do water propagation with Crassothonna cacalioides because it’s prone to rot if the stems sit directly in water for too long. If you do decide to try it, make sure only the very bottom of the callused stem is submerged, and change the water frequently to keep it fresh.
- Bottom heat is your friend: If you have a propagation mat, use it! Placing your pots or trays on a gentle heat source can significantly speed up root formation. It mimics the warmth of the soil in warmer climates and encourages those roots to get going.
- Be patient with the callus: Seriously, don’t rush the callusing process! I see so many people plant their cuttings too soon, and that’s how rot happens. That dry scab is your best defense against fungal issues.
Aftercare & Troubleshooting
Once your cuttings have been in the soil for a few weeks, you might notice new signs of life – a little tiny growth emerging.
- Root formation: You can gently tug on a cutting (very gently!) to check for resistance. If it feels like it’s holding on, it has likely rooted. You can also look for new leaf development.
- Watering: Once roots are established, you can start watering them more like a mature succulent. Let the soil dry out completely between waterings.
- Light: Provide bright, indirect light. Direct, harsh sun can scorch newly forming plants.
- Troubleshooting – Rot: The biggest enemy of succulent propagation is rot, usually caused by overwatering or insufficient callusing. If you see the stem turning mushy or black, sadly, it’s probably gone. You can try to save a healthy section by re-cutting and letting it callus again, but often it’s best to start fresh.
- Troubleshooting – No Growth: If nothing seems to be happening after several weeks, it’s possible the cutting didn’t take. This is part of the learning process! Don’t get discouraged. Just try again with fresh cuttings.
There you have it, a simple guide to bringing more Crassothonna cacalioides into your life. Remember, gardening is all about observation and patience. Not every attempt will be perfect, and that’s okay. Enjoy the process of watching these little wonders grow, and soon you’ll have a whole collection to share! Happy planting!
Resource: