Spider plant advice needed :-)

bundly

I have a huge spider plant that has put out 35 tiny babies on the end of stalks (can supply photo if that helps).

I'd like to have a go at making them into independent plants but someone said this is the wrong time of year and I should leave it till spring.

The plant is kept indoors in a warmish room.

Are they right?

Bundly.

Buggins

I don't think it matters when you do them. I take the little ones off the plant, place in glass of water and plant up when the roots start to show! They are tough plants.

bundly

Thanks, Buggins. How can I tell where exactly to snip them off the mother plant? Or does it not matter too much?

I_have_spoken

IIRC you can root them while still attached, like strawberry runners, then cut from main plant once ready

bundly

I_have_spoken wrote: »

IIRC you can root them while still attached, like strawberry runners, then cut from main plant once ready

Right, that is my project for tomorrow, then!

Thanks!

Horseygirl123

I just cut them off and pot them up. They are really easy to root.

bundly

Horseygirl123 wrote: »

I just cut them off and pot them up. They are really easy to root.

I've done it! Now to sit back patiently for months and see what happens!

JP08

Definitely just shove them in a pot and they will grow !

The biggest problem is that they are so prolific and tough you get over-run with them. You can only give so many away before people say enough is enough.

Funny little thing I found with the overflow plants. Leave them outside for the summer and they grow leaves wider, shorter and deeper green. Just make sure you watch the weather forecasts in Autumn though - the slightest frost will kill them stone dead.

bundly

JP08 wrote: »

Definitely just shove them in a pot and they will grow !

This has not been my experience at all.

A load of baby spiderettes that I planted in the spring all died. As did one previously very healthy looking plant that was on a sconce on the wall, alongside its twin brother. It flowered, grew babies, then shriveled up and died, despite being in the same position and being watered and fed identically to its twin (which is still thriving).

I am now looking into having a rainwater butt or buying distilled water. Maybe they don't like tapwater?

Bundly.

determined_new_ms

I have just snipped off the babies and put them into water and already a couple of days later they are starting to root. Exciting!

bundly

determined_new_ms wrote: »

I have just snipped off the babies and put them into water and already a couple of days later they are starting to root. Exciting!

I am going to do a few in water as well, and see which ones do better .. ie compost or water...