Succulent propagation

[Jimny14]

So I was given a little succulent as a present this summer, it clearly likes our kitchen windowsill as has grown well and is now looking like it has lots of little offsets coming from around its base. I've not got any experience of these plants but thought I could just separate the little plants with a sharp knife and pot on, I'm wondering however what to pot in to, I know it's going to need some really sharp drainage but do I just go n buy special growing media or can I make some cheaper? Any help much appreciated.

[DannyK]

You got a photo please or even a name.

Some need to be left to dry for few days before potting up.

You need loam, not peat, based compost with 25 to 50% grit. You can even use cat litter.

[Zelenina]

Yeah, we really need to know what kind of succulent it is because there are lots of different ones. The ones I have do fine in pre-used multipurpose compost, but there are probably others that are more fussy.

[burnie]

I grow Epiphytes, they seem to be doing well in MPC.

[DannyK]

I grow Epiphytes, they seem to be doing well in MPC.

They do like leaf mould or peat in the mix and may even need watering in winter.

Most desert cacti and non-cactus succulents need a very quick draining compost and peat tends to retain water for too long. I use JI2 plus 25% grit.

You need to take care when buying cacti etc, usually in packs, from DIY sheds. These are usually in peaty compost for the convenience of the growers. This should be cleaned off and replaced with a better draining mix.

[Jimny14]

Hi thanks for the information, sorry for the late reply, it's a haworthia window succulent I think, looks and acts like one at least

[Zelenina]

Oooh, I've got one like that, and now I know what it's called. Yes, I'd say it's a bit more fussy than the ordinary everyday succulent. I nearly killed it with over watering, but it's looking healthy now I'm neglecting it more. I've never repotted it or divided it, but maybe I should. I think for such a small number of plants you're probably just as well to buy some ready-made cactus and succulent compost, instead of messing around trying to buy all the separate ingredients. A 5-litre bag won't cost much and will last you for ages, unless this becomes the start of a serious succulent habit.

[DannyK]

There's loads of haworthias! With a bit of luck you may be able to identify it from here http://www.haworthia.info/en/gallery/01.html.

There's loads of info on this site.

Most of them don't like bright sunshine. They're quite happy living under green house bench.

They can look good as a clump (not mine).

Watch out for mealybug. If you've only one, meths and a watercolour brush will do. If you use insecticide check what pests they work on as some don't list mealybug anymore due to reformulation.

[Jimny14]

Thanks for the info danny, looking at these I think it's most likely transiens but not 100%. I can't seem to load a picture from my phone unfortunately.

[Zelenina]

Mine looks most like Haworthia cooperi - a very unusual looking plant. And I've just realised that the other succulent I bought at the same stall in a plant fair last year is also a Haworthia, although it looks very different. It's probably attenuata var radula. It's grown more than the cooperi and has three strong offsets. Yes, I discovered that they don't like bright sunlight, but leave them in a shadier spot without much watering or attention of any kind and they seem to do fine.

[Jimny14]

Interesting, mine has been sat on a west facing window sill (in north Lancashire) and seems to be popping little plantlets like no tomorrow. I water it pretty much once a month I guess, just when the leaves start to feel soft and not turgid any more

[Jimny14]

Think I've worked out how to put pictures up, here it is, growing away being ignored.

[Zelenina]

Nice looking plant Jimny. Some similarity to my cooperi but the leaves are a different shape. I think your west facing window sill in north Lancashire (where I lived for a few years a long time ago) isn't quite as sunny as mine in west Slovakia.

[DannyK]

Definitely needs repotting.

Looks like it's in one of those cutesy buckets. Some don't have drainage holes, beware overwatering.

[Jimny14]

It is indeed in a little bucket, just as it arrived. How big a pot should I go up to? Can you put it in too big a pot? Under it there are smaller clusters of leaves like little new plants, could those be taken off and grown on when I pot it on?