Two easy ways to get new gloxinia plants - leaf propagation
One of the simplest and most affordable methods for propagating gloxinia is leaf cuttings. Often the bush loses its compact shape and begins to stretch. You can return it to its previous appearance by cutting off the long top, and in order not to throw out the leaves located on them, they are rooted. Thus, it is possible to rejuvenate the flower, and also to propagate it, having received several new plants.
Gloxinia can be propagated by a leaf in two ways:
- rooting a whole leaf in the soil;
- horizontally rooting a leaf, incised in the center (as when breeding violets).
Read also the article: streptocarpus - care and growing from the leaf!
How to prepare the leaves correctly?
So as not to harm gloxinia and successfully root the leaves, they must be cut off correctly. To do this, with a sharp clerical knife, pre-treated with potassium permanganate or alcohol, cut the petiole right at the base, near the stem itself, but without affecting the latter.
The cut should be done along an oblique line.
Rooting a whole leaf in the ground
A universal substrate for flowers or seedlings is suitable for rooting. It is light, airy and contains essential nutrients.
In order to prevent, spill the soil with a solution of potassium permanganate.
Dip the prepared leaf with a petiole in potassium permanganate and plant in the ground, slightly wrinkling it with your fingers around the petiole. In this case, it is necessary to place it not in a vertical position, but at an angle.
It is only necessary to deepen into the ground the petiole itself, before the beginning of the leaf plate.
Rooting leaf horizontally
Remove the petiole from the leaf. On the reverse side of the plate, make 3-4 through cuts on the central vein. In the prepared substrate, make a shallow groove and put a leaf in it, pressing it tightly to the ground along the incised vein. With proper care, seedlings will appear in 40-50 days.
How to care for leaves during the rooting period?
After the leaves are planted in the soil, cover the container with a lid (if it is a plastic container) or put a plastic bag on top. This will create a constant, warm and humid microclimate inside. Put the greenhouse on a light windowsill. Periodically, the soil will need to be moistened, as well as ventilated the greenhouse.
To prevent excess water from stagnating in the container during watering, it is advisable to make drain holes in it, and the watering itself can be carried out through the pallet.
On this topic:gloxinia - home care!