Portulacaria afra - propagating Spekboom

Spekboom is an indigenous evergreen that is versatile and valuable to humans and plants as its benefits are countless. Spekboom is easily propagated from cuttings and thrives in well drained soils:

Materials:

• Secateur/ scissors
• Pot with drainage holes
• River - bed sand
• Potting soil
• Gravel
• Tip cutting

Method:

• Take a tip cutting using a secateur or scissors
• Remove the leaves at the bottom of the stem cutting so that its bare
• Leave the stem cutting in a well ventilated area for a few days until it dries out
• Measure three parts of river – bed sand to one part of potting soil into the pot with drainage holes (alternatively one can use four parts sand to one part soil)
• Insert the stem cutting into the mixture. Using your hands, press the mixture to firm it around the stem and lightly water
• If your pot has a saucer, add gravel to the saucer of the pot, elevating the pot onto the gravel. Leave in a well ventilated area.
• Water after several days, do not apply a frequent watering regime
• After approximately two months, when you begin to notice the roots circling the bottom of the pot, it’s time to transplant the Spekboom into a bigger pot.
• Alternatively, the dried stem cutting can be placed directly into the ground and watered as and when required.