How to Grow Succulents in Slips

So you wanna grow succulents from slips huh? Well let me tell you it’s not as hard as you might think but it’s not exactly like growing them from seeds or mature plants either. First off what even are slips? They’re basically those little offshoots that mama plants produce you know like the babies that grow out from the sides of your echeveria or the tiny plants that pop up around your hen and chicks. They’re nature’s way of helping plants reproduce and they’re perfect for us plant lovers who want to expand our collections without spending a ton of money.

Now where do you get these slips? Well if you’re lucky you might already have some plants that are producing them. But if not you might need to hit up your local nursery or check online retailers. I know my friend Sarah she’s always on the lookout for succulent on sale events at her favorite garden center. She told me last month she scored three different varieties that were already putting out slips for half the regular price! Not bad right?

But what if you’re looking for something more specific? Maybe you want some rare succulent varieties that you can’t find at your average store. That’s when you might need to look into specialty growers. There are these massive succulent factory operations especially in China – when people search terms like succulent china or succulents china they’re usually looking at these big producers. They supply everything from common varieties to wholesale succulent suppliers around the world.

Speaking of wholesale have you ever thought about buying succulentes en vrac quantities? I know it sounds like a lot but hear me out. My neighbor Tom he runs a small landscaping business on the side and he swears by buying from wholesale succulent company suppliers. He says even though he has to buy larger quantities the price per plant is so much better that it’s worth it. Plus he often gets plants that are already producing slips which means he can propagate even more plants for his clients.

Now let’s talk about actually growing these slips. The process is pretty straightforward but there are some tricks to success. First you need to carefully remove the slip from the mother plant. You want to make sure you get some roots if possible but even if you don’t most succulents will still grow new roots pretty easily. Then you need to let the cut end dry out for a day or two – this helps prevent rot when you plant it.

What soil should you use? Well that’s a common question I get. You’ll want well-draining soil specifically made for succulents. Don’t just use regular potting soil – it holds too much moisture and your slips will likely rot before they ever root. There are some great specialty mixes available online or at garden centers. Or you can make your own by mixing regular potting soil with perlite or sand.

Watering is where most people mess up with slips. You might think they need lots of water to grow roots but actually the opposite is true. You want to keep the soil slightly moist but not wet. I usually wait until the soil is completely dry before watering again. It’s better to underwater than overwater when it comes to succulent slips.

Now what about light? Slips need bright indirect light while they’re establishing roots. Too much direct sun can scorch them but too little light will make them stretch out and get leggy. A bright windowsill or a spot under grow lights works perfectly.

Have you considered starting with mini succulente varieties? They’re perfect for slip propagation because they tend to produce lots of offsets and don’t take up much space. My cousin Emily she has this amazing collection of mini succulents that she started entirely from slips. She keeps them in cute little containers on her office desk and they’re always conversation starters.

But what if you’re not having success with real plants? I know some people who just can’t keep plants alive no matter how hard they try. For them there are always alternatives like lego succulent sets. Yeah they’re not real plants but they look pretty cool and you never have to worry about watering them! Plus they make great gifts for plant-loving friends who already have everything.

The key thing to remember with slips is patience. They might not look like they’re doing much at first but underground those roots are growing. It can take several weeks before you see significant growth above soil. Don’t be tempted to pull them out to check on the roots – that just disturbs the growth process.

If you’re looking to expand your collection significantly you might want to connect with a good succulent supplier. Many of them offer slips or starter plants at reasonable prices. Some even specialize in hard-to-find varieties that you won’t find at big box stores.

What about those massive wholesale operations I mentioned earlier? Well they’re often the source for many local nurseries and garden centers. They grow plants on a huge scale and supply them to retailers around the world. While you might not be able to buy directly from them unless you’re purchasing large quantities it’s good to know that’s where many plants originate.

The beauty of growing from slips is that it’s relatively succulente facile à cultiver varieties this way. Most succulents are pretty resilient and will root readily from slips. It’s a great way to get free plants and expand your collection without breaking the bank.

I remember when I first started with succulents I was so nervous about propagating from slips. But you know what? It’s actually one of the most rewarding ways to grow your collection. There’s something special about watching a tiny slip grow into a full-sized plant. Plus it’s a great way to share plants with friends – just give them a slip from your collection!

So whether you’re a beginner or an experienced grower don’t be afraid to try growing succulents from slips. It’s a fun economical way to expand your plant family and learn more about these fascinating plants in the process. Who knows – you might even discover you have a green thumb you never knew you had!