I hope this thread fits in this forum if not maybe the admin can move it or I'll start it again in the correct place. A couple of months ago I got some cuttings of the above from the nursery I frequent and it appears as if they've rooted well. I'd like to move them out of the plain potting soil they're in now to some cactus soil (I assume this will be better than plain potting soil) so I'm looking for the easiest way to do this. Especially with the little Elephant Bush starts I have.

I would carefully dump them from the pots and replant in a soil more adventageous for succulents. If you hold the plant suspended over the new pot at the level you want it to end up being planted and gently add soil around the roots, there will be less damage.

Daisy

Thanks Daisy, about the only soil I've got for this would be some Miracle-Gro cactus, palm and citrus which I was thinking of mixing with a little sand. Are these fast growing plants? And what about the three little elephant bush plants in the pot, should I scoop them out carefully with a spoon underneath so as to not mess up any roots or leave in the pot?

I use Miracle gro cactus, palm and citrus but I add perlite. Sand packs. If they all have roots, I think you are good transplanting them all.

Daisy

One thing I would add to Daisy's good advice... I would move these plants when the soil is dry, or almost dry, and wait to water until a few days or a week after transplanting. That way if you carry over some soil it won't be wet, and you'll avoid rot problems if the root gets a chance to heal before you water.

The mother of millions is virtually unkillable (I've tried) but you need to be careful where you put it, as the plant will sprinkle offspring all around it (true to the name) and they grow like weeds. Neither plant is particularly needy about drainage but I would recommend a mix with a good amount of (say 25%) perlite or pumice to be on the safe side. Avoid sand as it tends to hold onto water.

Thanks Daisy and Baja, I'll leave the sand out. I have loads of perlite on hand. Then it would be best to plant each of the elephant bush pieces separately or plant it all together?

I'm not sure if the elephant bush you have will grow into a bush or more of a sideways trailing form but I'm guessing the latter, in which case together works fine. Once they kick into gear you'll have lots of extra pieces to root and play with if you want something separate. The main thing is to keep the mother of millions separate from them, because of the millions that are on their way.

I think I've got it now. The MOM since I've got two cuttings rooted plant each separate?

Sorry I just tried to make an edit so that was clear.... keep the MOM separate from the other plants. The MOM will be just fine sharing the pot with another MOM, that's up to you (and sort of inevitable given the progeny on their way), but one of those can end up filling an 8 inch pot (or bigger) when it grows up.

Thanks Baja, I've got it all very clear now on what to do. Now when I can get them dried out from tonight's rain I'll get them repotted.

DaisyI said:I would carefully dump them from the pots and replant in a soil more adventageous for succulents. If you hold the plant suspended over the new pot at the level you want it to end up being planted and gently add soil around the roots, there will be less damage.

Daisy

Baja, one other question I have so I don't screw this up. Usually when I repot something I'll loosen the soil by squeezing the pot and once I believe all the soil is loose I turn the pot upside down holding onto the top of the plant with the palm of my hand letting it slowly fall out. Then grasping the bottom with my other hand sliding it into the new, larger pot. Would it be better with both the MOM and the Elephant Bush if I were to carefully put them on my work table and separate them that way causing less breakage of the plant and the roots?

Your technique sounds fine (that's what I do) but either way really. You will see the MOM have plenty of roots down there. You don't need to worry about manhandling those plants. The elephant bush will have fewer and shallower roots most likely, given the size, but even if you end up damaging the roots, the stem will grow more in relatively short order, so there's no need for concern there either.

Thanks Baja, since I moved them into the greenhouse last night in case of heavy storms I'll wait until tomorrow to make sure they're pretty dried out and just go for it. Appreciate the help

I have a 12" Mother of Thousands , as I was told it was called. Are they the same plant? It needs transplanting, too. Can I bury it deeper to cure her legginess? Also have 2 seedlings. One is really long and leggy. Can I repot it deeper, as well?

I don't think you can pot them deeper but you can lop them off at ground level and let them start again.

There is no cure for the legginess (as you put it) but strong light should help, and these plants tend to be more stable when they grow in clumps (as they tend to do when left to their own devices). You can stake the plant or tie it to something, but eventually it will reach its maximum and flower. The flowers are the best thing about this plant in my opinion, and worth waiting for.

There are various Kalanchoes which drop plantlets from their leaves (mothers of hundreds so to speak) and the name of the genus actually comes from that behavior, but the MOM is unusually prolific, whatever you choose to call it. I would agree with Daisy that burying the stem is probably a bad idea.

Thanks. The reason I ask is 2 reasons. I have a leggy seedling that laid down in the soil and rerooted itself. And the larger plant has an aerial root. Please see the photos.

Well, my MOM and Elephant Bush are all done. Actually very easy even with the little Elephant Bush since the soil was still a bit wet and adhered to the roots so it all came as a clump.

Looking good, Chris. I would give those young plants some protection from the sun (like maybe morning sun or filtered light) until they are better established in their new homes. Do what you like and they'll probably be fine (these are not difficult plants) but that's my custom with very young succulents (judging by the root mass & integrity as much as anything).

Cheryl, you can lay the stem along the ground and it will root there and grow sideways for a while, before pointing up again and continuing toward the sky. They root really quickly that way and can live a long life with many great-grandchildren.