How To Propagate Portulacaria afra Elephant Bush - Water vs. Soil Methods - Spekboom

We look at how to propagate Portulacaria afra - Elephant Bush ( Elephant Plant or Dwarf Jade ). Water or Soil propagation - Which Is Best.
We show you results of both soil and water propagation.
Also known as Spekboom and Porkbush, Elephants do eat this plant and the leaves are also said to be edible.
Key Moments
00:00 Portulacaria propagation
00:28 Taking the cuttings
00:58 Potting Soil
01:02 Trimming the cuttings for planting.
01:33 Allow the cuttings to Callus Over
01:39 Water vs. Soil propagation
02:34 Planting larger cuttings
03:09 Care of Cuttings
04:01 results of Water vs. Soil Propagation
04:58 Two year old cuttings and other information

[@nerinat8371]

Thanks again Johnny

[@johnnyAGardening]

And thanks for watching.

[@Joey-vw1id]

Thanks Johnny!
I don't know if you remember but awhile back I left a comment on one of your videos asking if you can make a propagation video about the elephant bush. Great job I see the soil method works best!
I'm training an elephant bush right now to become a bonsai.
Have a wonderful day/night!
Thanks again Johnny!
See you in the next video!

[@johnnyAGardening]

Thanks for the comment, and yes we do read ALL of them... As for the Bonsai, interesting, we are thinking of using the largest trunk one to do the same.... Maybe another video.......

[@chriswalpole1880]

Great video. Thanks for the advice. I’ve tried both methods and my results are pretty much the same as yours. Obviously it’s helpful to be able to see the roots developing with the water propagation, but I’ve found the rooted cuttings take ages to get used to being in soil once transferred from the water.
What light and temperature is best for rooting ?

[@johnnyAGardening]

We place them in good filtered light and try for around 20 - 25c daytime so 70 -78f. Although they will strike in cooler temps, just slower. And yes, for just about every plant, direct to soil is better than water in the long term.

[@captain_britain]

Perhaps this is a silly question, but why do you recommend normal dense potting soil instead of a grittier succulent-style soil? I've seen the latter recommended more often, and I'm trying to decide whether to re-pot my 2-3 year old Portulacaria from its current (dense) soil into something more gritty & loose.
EDIT: I'm assuming this is because you're propagating new cuttings; maybe the idea is to move it to a different soil after it's taken root?
If it makes any difference - my bonsai is usually indoors (don't have a yard), and I currently water every 1-2 weeks.
Thanks!

[@johnnyAGardening]

As long as the soil, and the pot, drain reasonably well then it's your watering regime rather than the soil that is important. So a regular potting mix, not a dense one,, SHOULD drain well. A pot with adequate drainage holes will drain well. We tend to moderate our watering to suit the plant.
In the garden this is different, you do need a free drianing soil as you can't control rain. Its alays a wet/dry watering regime for us.
So, watering every 1 -2 weeks, indoors, in a pot with good drainage holes a normal potting mix should be OK..

[@captain_britain]

@@johnnyAGardening thank you Johnny!

[@Connie1Fan]

Newbie here, what type of soil please

[@johnnyAGardening]

Hello Connie. You can use a normal free draining potting mix, as long as you do not over water. Always use a wet /dry watering cycle, water and leave for 7 - 10 days before watering again, the soil must begin to dry. Mix 20% perlite through if you are a compulsive waterer.

[@Connie1Fan]

@@johnnyAGardening awesome, thank you very much 😊