How to Propagate Euphorbia Aeruginosa
Euphorbia aeruginosa occurs naturally along the border areas of the mountainous Highveld ecosystem within eastern South Africa. The species name "aeruginous" means copper rust or verdigris, which refers both to the bluish-green color of its stems and the copper tint of its spines. Like most euphorbias, Euphorbia aeruginosa propagates effortlessly from stem cuttings, but it is a somewhat hazardous species to work with since it contains highly corrosive and toxic sap. Once rooted, Euphorbia aeruginosa will send up a cluster of square, erect stems, which will reach a mature height of 12 inches in one to two years. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Heavy leather gloves
- Tongs
- Gardening knife
- Plastic pot
- Perlite
- Sharp sand
- 0.1-percent NAA (naphthyl acetic acid) rooting hormone powder
Instructions
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Put on heavy leather gloves and a long-sleeved shirt before taking cuttings from a Euphorbia aeruginosa plant to protect your skin from the toxic, irritating sap.
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Locate a stem on the Euphorbia aeruginosa plant measuring no more than 2 inches in diameter and 5 inches in height. Hold the stem steady with tongs. Cut through the base of the stem with a sharp gardening knife or other serrated blade.
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Run water from a garden hose over the cut-end of the Euphorbia aeruginosa cutting to staunch the flow of sap. Likewise, run water over the stump remaining at the base of the parent plant to stop the sap from flowing. Set the cutting aside while preparing a pot for it.
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Use a plastic pot with at least 1 inch of space on all sides to root the Euphorbia aeruginosa cutting. Fill the pot one-quarter full with equal measures perlite and sharp sand.
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Dip the base of the Euphorbia aeruginosa cutting in 0.1-percent NAA rooting hormone powder to help further staunch the flow of sap and prompt the production of roots.
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Settle the base of the Euphorbia aeruginosa cutting onto the perlite and sand mixture in the bottom of the pot. Backfill around the cutting with additional perlite and sand until the cutting stands upright and sturdy in the pot.
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Pour 1/8 cup of water into the pot to moisten the perlite and sand mixture. Water the Euphorbia aeruginosa cutting again only when the sand feels completely dry just below the surface.
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Place the potted Euphorbia aeruginosa under bright light, whether beside a south-facing window or under fluorescent lamps. Watch for fresh growth in 25 to 30 days.
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Tips & Warnings
Propagate Euphorbia aeruginosa plants in spring.
Use extreme caution when handling Euphorbia aeruginosa plants to avoid touching or ingesting the sap.
Seek medical attention immediately if the sap gets in your eyes or mouth.
