Propagating Eucomis by leaf cuttings

1. An image of the mother plant (Eucomis autumnalis ssp. clavatus), the leaf removed and ready for cutting into thirds with a fresh single edge razor blade on a piece of plastic cutting board, a pot with label filled with a half peat and half perlite mix

2. The leaf cuttings ready for insertion into the pot. I cut into thirds but some people only make two cuttings from a single leaf. The lowest cuttings tend to be more successful.

3. The pot with cuttings inserted about one inch into the media and watered in. Note that the cuttings are not in contact with each other or the sides of the pot.

4. The pot of cuttings is placed under a greenhouse bench where there is no direct sunlight and where it remains relatively cool

Mark Mazer
Intarsia Ltd.
Gaylordsville, Connecticut 06755-0142

Photo courtesy of Dave Fenwick and The African Garden

Eucomis takes from leaf cuttings. Gently twist the leaf off at the base, taking care not to damage the bulb too much, place into a glass using clean water, change the water ever few days and very soon small bulblets will begin to form (as many as 20 per leaf). I have tried and tested it and feel it is the only way to obtain pure species.

Robb Smith (June 11, 2004)