Best Strength

As might be expected, most plants suited to this method of propagation have comparatively soft and fleshy leaves. There are two types of leaf cuttings : those that make use of leaf and stem and those requiring the leaf alone. An example of the first is the dainty African violet and of the second, the gorgeous Begonia Rex.

Many of our house plants are not suited to this means of propagation simply because of their growing habit or because it is a difficult and untidy matter to clutter up the house with extra pots of soil. But some, such as ivies and other vines, are not only well suited to this method or propagation but seem actively to seek it by putting out little root hairs into the air, almost looking for moist soil in which to bury themselves. Three of my Rhoicissus have been grown this way, one is in a willow pattern pitcher, one in a china wash basin and the third in a two-gallon pickle jar!

In some cases it is helpful to use this process of propagation in reverse, as it were. Perhaps you buy a new plant of ivy and wish it to grow thick and bushy instead of tall and slender. If two or three cuttings from the tall plant are inserted in the soil at its base they will grow and add to the bushy effect.

Plants permitting a leaf cutting rather than a leaf and stem also frequently have a further advantage, allowing the leaf to be cut into many pieces, each producing a separate plant. Examples here are Begonia Rex and Sanscvieria.

The begonia leaf can be cut into several sections and so long as each cut has been made to sever one of the prominent veins, roots will grow from this part. The spear like Sanscvieria can be cut into two inch sections. Each of the sections, from begonia or sansevieria, should be planted with the end originally nearest the stem or base into the soil.

The new plant (for that is what it is) can then be cut away from the naked stem below and potted up in the usual manner.

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