--- title: "First propagation I’ve done under a growlight — I put it through hell…" description: "First propagation I’ve done under a growlight — I put it through hell 😅. The earliest photo was during December as it struggled to grow by a chilly…" url: "https://getplanta.com/community/GpJkJG2qS7KZ7LpSwQwhSg/-2ScQGjiR2OdZw-1OSfjeQ" community: "Propagating & Sowing" author: "Catnip" published: "2024-05-14T04:44:47.844111Z" language: "en" image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/BT2_rso18VcSkHb7VbPx4Gcsqk7Ot1Aevlkys7fV1lk/F7VbvIwbRGWDMwqdpuBvPw.webp?size=large" --- [Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [Propagating \& Sowing](https://getplanta.com/community/GpJkJG2qS7KZ7LpSwQwhSg.md) # First propagation I’ve done under a growlight — I put it through hell… _Posted by Catnip on 2024-05-14_ First propagation I’ve done under a growlight — I put it through hell 😅. The earliest photo was during December as it struggled to grow by a chilly windowsill. And its bright red phase was when I was unwittingly scorching the leaves by hanging the growlight too close. 6 months in, I think I’ve finally found a sweet spot. ![Attachment 1 of 4](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/BT2_rso18VcSkHb7VbPx4Gcsqk7Ot1Aevlkys7fV1lk/F7VbvIwbRGWDMwqdpuBvPw.webp?size=large) ![Attachment 2 of 4](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/BT2_rso18VcSkHb7VbPx4Gcsqk7Ot1Aevlkys7fV1lk/gN6PlOG1Rva3frl0aiX5xA.webp?size=large) ![Attachment 3 of 4](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/BT2_rso18VcSkHb7VbPx4Gcsqk7Ot1Aevlkys7fV1lk/22E0rkIlQZm8y_aY7T7fkQ.webp?size=large) ![Attachment 4 of 4](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/BT2_rso18VcSkHb7VbPx4Gcsqk7Ot1Aevlkys7fV1lk/Q5Rlu-NQSVWroDo8lc1vKg.webp?size=large) ## 19 comments ### Cait2k3 commented on 2024-05-15 Is this a radiator plant? If so, how to propogate? I don’t see nodes and the stems are so short #### Catnip replied on 2024-05-15 Yes it’s a radiator plant! It does have nodes but since these grow so compact, node propagation isn’t v practical unless you have a variegated plant \& want to preserve that in the props #### Catnip replied on 2024-05-15 They can be propagated by leaf. Even 1/2 a leaf! Like so: #### Cait2k3 replied on 2024-05-15 I don’t see a pic. Here’s mine: ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/3q1EezzSIXK3J02mDg9m-iP-h2JHaLGgjJOhJDA14ag/TTWCGcd1QC2QLYKqHMwM4Q.webp?size=large) #### Catnip replied on 2024-05-15 (This is a watermelon radiator plant but it works the same way w others in the family) ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/BT2_rso18VcSkHb7VbPx4Gcsqk7Ot1Aevlkys7fV1lk/l4YWN_pBRJ-Z2YEU1qI4QQ.webp?size=large) #### Catnip replied on 2024-05-15 (Haha sorry I was still scrolling for my photo. Just posted) _4 more replies in the app_ ### Catnip commented on 2024-05-15 The other half you can plant stem-side down #### Catnip replied on 2024-05-15 (You can prop either in water or soil — I like soil bc the roots are so delicate, they r prone to transplant shock. Keep them in a moist area like inside a ziplock bag w some holes poked for ventilation. Roots should come out starting ~2 weeks or longer, depending on how warm it is. New growth starting ~1 month ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/BT2_rso18VcSkHb7VbPx4Gcsqk7Ot1Aevlkys7fV1lk/Kuhles8XSyS09SmrJEV9Qg.webp?size=large) #### Cait2k3 replied on 2024-05-15 Okay I’ll try planting a few with the stems attached. How much stem should I leave attached? How many cm or mm? #### Catnip replied on 2024-05-15 In soil, just a little nubbin. Like 3-ish mm. It will still root with a longer stem, but I find that the extra bits tend to rot if stuck too deep in soil ### Cait2k3 commented on 2024-05-15 Is that new propagation growth next to the that half leaf you planted?! #### Catnip replied on 2024-05-15 Yep! #### Cait2k3 replied on 2024-05-15 I cut the stems off, left maybe 0.5mm and dipped in root powder then poked these leaves about 1/4 into the soil. I know they are quite close but I figured only one or two will actually grow. Will this work? How wet do I keep it or do I let it dry out between waterings? ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/3q1EezzSIXK3J02mDg9m-iP-h2JHaLGgjJOhJDA14ag/vzd3IKxyTGu833tdpnQHtg.webp?size=large) #### Catnip replied on 2024-05-16 Ya that looks good! Soil needs to be moist at all times. Not dry, but not sopping wet either. A good level is where the soil is dark, but it still feels fluffy. An easy way to get there is to put some plastic wrap over that white cover pot w some holes poked for ventilation. That way, you won’t have to water again, and also will be maintaining some humidity in the air around the leaves too, which will help them stay hydrated despite being cut #### Cait2k3 replied on 2024-05-16 It’s sopping wet, do I need to restart? I keep doing that 😬 --- _Source: the Planta community (https://getplanta.com). Reading is open to everyone. To post, comment and like, get the Planta app: https://getplanta.com/download_