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My balcony :)
Also wondering if and how I can "multiply" this plant?
The 4 mother Hens that are blooming will most likely die after they set seed and the flower stalk dies back. The babies will fill in the center hole, so if you want that let them be. You can take a few of the smaller offsets (babies) and move them to new areas if you are trying to fill in and area or create a unified look in your garden. Remember you can use just one leaf to create a whole new plant. Take a bigger offset, separate (pull off) the leaves and set them all out. It just takes a bit more time. Succulents are the easiest and most successful of plants to work with to encourage new gardeners to try propagation. Good luck and happy planting.
Thank you Gatorfellows, three of my four are blooming and indeed creating babies around them; So I should just let them be and leave the babies where they are now?
More advice from an old propagator. I just noticed you have one blooming. Be aware that after a mother Hen blooms and sets seeds, it dies and new babies form around where she was, so no panic is necessary. It is the plant doing what it should do.
Advice from a old propagator. For the best success rate:, when you take an offset (baby) or a leaf let it sit out of soil for 3 days to create a callus. Then set the offset or leaf on moist soil. I even use perlite (an expanded shale product) which is just rock but keeps consistent moisture better than soil. This process reduces rotting of your new starts. Cactus or succulents all benefit from this method.
Ok,first chick planted - fingers crossed; Thanks for helping accidental gardner!
Thank you for your advice; do you think I need to dig out the whole plant when I want to separate them?
looks like some sort of "hen and chick" plant. you can propagate more by just pulling off the "babies" once they get roots
Spotted on May 31, 2012
Submitted on May 31, 2012
