Propagation Workshop
Judith McMillan and Lori Cohen
Enthusiasm and a sense of fun were the hallmarks of the propagation workshop held on March 10. With nine happy propagators, we started by learning about proper methods of propagation for succulents and then went to work. We had donkey tail (Sedum morganium), two kinds of Crassula, Portulacaria afra (Elephant Bush), and Cotyledon Long Fingers to work with. The leaves and cuttings were placed in nice desert environments that just happened to be tin foil pans or fast food containers filled with the appropriate cactus soil and gravel mix.
Then the group went on to learn about begonia growing. Three different propagation methods were explained and then tried. With three kinds of Rex begonias to pick from, everyone was able to try all three methods. Unlike the succulents that need a desert environment, begonias need a little greenhouse to get started. These were made using store lettuce containers or something similar. With the days getting longer and more sun, we will know in a month or two just how well everyone does. Hopefully our next flower show will have a succulent and a begonia class that will show off the things our members have propagated.
