Expand succulent collection for free with cuttings

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Plants are gifts of nature, asking for little and giving a lot. There's no reason for anyone to say they're too poor to garden. With succulents, you plug into a limitless source of free and easy plants indoors or out.Succulents make some of the best indoor dish gardens. Many are small and exquisite, growing like graphic jewels in bonsai pots or other decorative containers. They don't need much soil and ask for very little water in the winter. Best of all, if you practice a bit of simple propagation, they can be increased for free. Plant propagation is a lesson in life force.Because they hold so much water in their leaves and stems, succulents don't depend on their roots like other plants do. Their succulent tissues hold water for a very long time, making it available when needed. As this stored water is used up, the succulent leaf will wrinkle. If the plant has roots, watering will plump it up again. Even a cutting from the plant can go a long time from when it's severed until it finally runs out of moisture. For example, prickly pear cactus can survive for up to two years without roots.A tough outer skin encloses succulent tissue, keeping it sterile and protected. When a piece of plant is severed, it opens a wound entrance for diseases that cause rot. Once rot sets in, you can't do anything except cut off the afflicted parts. But this is a war of attrition, because these microorganisms are probably far deeper into the tissue than the eye can see.When taking a succulent cutting, the secret is to let the cutting dry in the shade for a day or two. The wound will develop a scab known as a callus, which seals it off to disease and further moisture loss. Only when this is formed should you place the cutting in rooting medium.You don't need a special rooting medium for succulents. Coarse construction sand like that used in plaster or even silica sandbox sand works just as well. I've approached workmen at construction sites for a coffee can of sand for my cuttings. You don't need a deep pot, just a shallow tray. Recycle clear plastic takeout salad containers, and through the transparent sides you'll see when the roots form.Moisten the sand thoroughly before you begin. Fill the container a few inches deep with damp sand, but do not pack it down. You want the cuttings to settle into a nice soft bed. Insert the callused cutting half its length into the soil. It's OK to use a lot of cuttings in a small container, because they aren't deriving nutrients from the sand, just beginning to grow roots. Do not water right away, because sand is already sufficiently moist.Keep the sand moist but not wet, and beware of overwatering when the surface looks dry. It's probably plenty damp farther down. This is another benefit to using clear plastic containers: You can see deeper moisture and when the cuttings start to root.Once the cuttings have formed roots, you can transplant them to very small pots that contain potting soil for cacti. Or, simply sift out woody matter from ordinary potting soil and mix it with your propagation sand.It is remarkable how well succulents survive under trying circumstances. They will teach you a lot about what they want in the garden, too.(Maureen Gilmer is a horticulturist and former host of "Weekend Gardening" on DIY Network. Her blog, the MoZone, offers a groundbreaking series of great ideas for cash strapped families. Read the blog at www.MoPlants.com/blog. E-mail her at mogilmer(at)yahoo.com.)