Kalanchoe Pinnata Experiment

I'm not sure how it's almost been a month since I've posted, but I guess the only offering I have is that I've been busy.  Last month I posted about a new kalanchoe that I found here.  Most of the kalanchoes that I have grow babies on their leaves while they're on the plant, but if I've read it right this one prefers to have the leaves off  in order to grow babies.  I figured that I could spare two leaves and since the table is already cluttered with plants I would just add two more containers. 

I put one leaf in water and one just on dirt to see which did the best.

Februrary 11, 2012

A few days later, you have to look close, but there are tiny roots forming on both leaves.  The one in the water is most noticable.

February 15, 2012

February 15, 2012

A few more days and we a lot of little roots on the leaf in the dirt, but little babies on the one in the water!!

February 22, 2012

February 22, 2012

 And then today, we have even bigger babies and finally some green action on the leaf on the dirt!  The water leaf is still nice and plump, whereas the dirt leaf is a little wilty.  The dirt leaf has definitely put out more roots though, so maybe this one is going to be the turtle in this race!

February 28, 2012

February 28, 2012

I thought this was a longer process until I looked at the dates and realized it was just really a few weeks.  I'm looking forward to plumping the babies up and sharting them with friends once the weather warms up. 

Mandy

Coleus Experiment

After a freak rainstorm went through late summer, I had a bunch of drowned and wilted Coleuses on my hands.  While cutting them back, I thought I'd try and root them.  That worked great, and I now have 4 small pots of them ready to overwinter in the greenhouse.

Last weekend I decided that the pot on the front porch was getting a little out of hand, and since I was encouraged from the first results, I went to cutting!  I think there are maybe 32 cuttings in the glass jars rooting now.  Once they are ready, I'll pot them as well and then put them in the greenhouse.

I put the "mother" plants in little pots; I'm counting on them growing new leaves as well.  If all goes as planned, this rather plain spot will be loaded with gorgeous Coleus leaves!

I still think I'll need to pick up a few that are different colors; I bought these so late in the season that there really wasn't a great selection.  We'll see come Spring...

Have a great night!
Mandy