Croton Mania`s Data Page 2
have you believe that special measures need to take place prior to Propagating Crotons we here at
Croton Mania will prove to you that this is false. #1 If These croton hobbyist would do there homework
and read, CROTONS OF THE WORLD by Frank Brown they will see that propagating is no science.
Remove a limb from a plant (Croton) you would like to propagte and cut the your limb what ever
direction you like be it a 45 degree, 35 degree or straight cut. Then submerge this limb or tip in water
for a couple of hours or overnite so that it can absorb as much water, moisture as possible. Remember
this removal you just made is stress, But no fear crotons are one of the strongest plants out there
today, they have been around a long time. After the soaking period remove some of the bark from the
area you just cut Approx. 1 inch from your cut and take it down to the white meat make a complete
circle around the cut or just 2 sides, dosen`t matter your call. After this is done it would not hurt to
purchace some rooting hormone from your neighborhood nursery or a Home Depot if one is available.
Submerge this cut, wounded area that you made into your rooting hormone, shake off the excess and
go directly into your growing media, Croton Mania preferes a Cheap mix that works very well of
pearlite and canadian peat 40% peat and 60% pearlite. This media will give you best results in temps.
above 60 degrees, Keep in a shaded area and slightly water 2 to 3 times a day depending on outside
Temperature if its very hot and humid increase your watering, Roots will explode all around the
wounded area (just like air layering) to give you a stronger plant with max root growth. This method will
take in the Summer months about 3 to 4 weeks and you will see results by noticing new growth on your
cuttings. We at Croton Mania get alot of feedback on Sterilization of pots or containers used for
propagation, This again is not true, simple wash out your container if it was used prior with regular
water to remove inscets and old soil. Start with a somewhat clean container,simple wash out is plenty.
Croton Mania has grown Croton Cuttings in all types of conditions and media, and found that they
will grow in anything a glass of water, straight perlite, breaking a limb and forcing it into the ground,
cutting limbs and throwing them down step on them laying verticality or horizontally and they will grow,
there is no science involved. Remember in the 70`s and 80`s people just broke off a limb and stuck
it in the ground and it grew. Thats why South Florida is full of all different varietes from that method
they used years ago. Stick them and forget them, Some people refere them as the florida weed
because they would grow anywhere. Croton Mania is a web site for people who enjoy these Beautiful
Leaved Plants, Do not be discouraged by other sites giving you overkill techniques on Propagating
these plants. Remember new cuttings, #1 enemy is over watering this will result in root rot and
fungus, keep you container well drained and somewhat moist.
layering.Make your cuttings from 4-12 in length and wound the bottom,place a little root tone and insert them in
sand or peat,or in a mixture of the two,for rooting.
In air layering, a ring of bark is removed from the branch to be layered,from two cuts spaced from one inch to
two inch apart,exposing the wood.The cambium layer,a slight green area immediately underneath the bark,should
be completely removed to prevent new bark from forming again rather than roots.Apply a little rooting hormone
to the cut area,then wrap the cut surface with a ball of moist sphagnum moss about as big as a mans fist.This is
held in place with a string or rubber band and entire ball wrapped with plastic film or aluminum foil.
These plants will root quickly at the point the cut was made,and after the roots are established,the branch is
removed from the parent just below the roots,and planted in a pot or in the garden where it is to grow.