Propagating A Bolivian Jew: A Step-By-Step Guide To Success

The Bolivian Jew, also known as the Tri-Color Bolivian Jew, Variegated Turtle Vine, or Callisia Repens, is a beautiful plant with vibrant purple foliage. It is native to tropical and temperate climates and can grow invasively if left unattended. This plant is easy to propagate, and there are several methods to do so. One common method is through cuttings, where you take a stem cutting with at least one leaf node and plant it in a moist potting mix or water. Another method is through missing a small section of the stem or root when removing the plant, allowing it to grow and propagate on its own. With its fast-growing nature and ability to thrive with minimal care, the Bolivian Jew is a popular choice for gardeners, adding a colourful touch to any home or garden.

Propagate through stem cuttings

The Bolivian Jew plant, or Callisia repens, is a member of the spiderwort (Commelinaceae) family and is native to Central and South America. It is also known as the creeping inch plant, turtle vine, and dwarf wandering Jew. This plant is easy to propagate through stem cuttings.

To propagate through stem cuttings, start by locating a healthy vine with several healthy nodes and leaves. A node is the joint in the stem where leaves grow out from, and this is also where the roots will grow from once in water. Take a cutting that is 2 inches long, ensuring that it has at least one leaf node. The more nodes included in the cutting, the quicker the root growth will be.

Next, fill a glass with fresh water and place the cutting inside, making sure that the nodes are submerged. Avoid hot or cold water, as this may shock or burn the cuttings. Remove any lower leaves that might be submerged, as they will rot quickly. Place the glass in bright but indirect sunlight, ensuring that the cutting does not receive direct sunlight, which can burn it.

Change the water in the glass every couple of days to keep it free from bacteria and prevent stagnation, which is harmful to the plant. Roots will begin to grow within a day or two, forming a web of small, delicate white roots. Once the roots are a few inches long, it's time to pot them in soil. Use a high-quality potting mix to ensure that the cuttings receive enough nutrients.

For the first few weeks, keep the soil slightly more moist than usual, as the cuttings are accustomed to living in water. Resume usual care for your Bolivian Jew plant, and enjoy your new plant!

Use a moist potting mix

Once your Wandering Jew cuttings have developed roots that are a few inches long, it's time to transfer them into a potting mix. You should use a high-quality, well-draining, and well-aerated potting mix to ensure your cuttings receive enough nutrients and to prevent root rot. Keep the potting mix uniformly moist, but not soggy. Water the cuttings in batches to allow the soil to absorb the water properly. Water a little at a time, waiting for the soil to soak up the water before adding more.

For the first few weeks after transferring your cuttings to the potting mix, keep the soil a little more moist than usual, as the cuttings will be used to living in water. Once the top 1/2 inch of the mix dries out, you can switch to your regular watering schedule.

To avoid overwatering, allow the topsoil to dry out between waterings and aerate the soil once in a while. You can also use a well-balanced, generic houseplant fertiliser for your Wandering Jew plant. Fertilise lightly when the new growth grows out a couple of inches, and then once every other week thereafter.

Keep cuttings in bright, indirect light

To propagate a Bolivian Jew plant, it is important to keep the cuttings in bright, indirect light. This is because the plant cuttings require light to grow and develop roots, but direct sunlight can be too intense, leading to excessive water loss and hindering their ability to establish roots. Bright, indirect light provides the ideal balance, ensuring the cuttings receive sufficient energy for growth without the risk of dehydration.

Bright, indirect light can be achieved by placing the cuttings near a window that receives ample natural light. A sheer curtain can be used to diffuse the light and protect the cuttings from direct sunlight, especially during the hottest part of the day. The recommended amount of bright, indirect light is 12 to 16 hours per day, which can be maintained by keeping the cuttings near a window throughout the day.

In addition to light, temperature plays a crucial role in the propagation process. Maintaining a temperature of 22-24 degrees Celsius will promote faster root development. It is also important to keep the cuttings slightly moist during the initial stages, allowing the roots to establish before switching to a regular watering schedule.

By following these guidelines, you can create an optimal environment for your Bolivian Jew cuttings, providing them with the necessary light, temperature, and moisture conditions to thrive and develop into healthy, established plants.

Pinch the stem tips to maintain shape

Pinching the stem tips of your Bolivian Jew plant is a great way to maintain its shape and encourage compact growth. This technique is called "pinching" because you literally pinch off the tips of the stems with your fingers. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it effectively:

Step 1: Identify the Need

Before you start pinching, observe your Bolivian Jew plant. If it has been growing for a while, you may notice that it starts to become "leggy," which means the stems are getting long and sparse, with fewer leaves. This is a good indication that it's time to pinch.

Step 2: Choose the Stems

Select the stems that you want to pinch. It's generally recommended to pinch the tips of the longer stems to promote bushier growth. Look for stems that are at least 4-6 nodes long (nodes are the points where leaves grow).

Step 3: Pinching Technique

Using your thumb and forefinger, gently but firmly pinch the stem tip just above a node, preferably the second or third node from the top. You want to remove the tip along with the growing point, which will encourage the plant to branch out from the node just below your pinch point.

Step 4: Timing

Pinching can be done at any time during the growing season. However, it's generally recommended to start pinching about 5-10 days after transplantation. You may also need to do a second round of pinching, depending on the desired size and shape of your plant.

Step 5: Maintenance

To maintain the compact shape of your Bolivian Jew plant, continue to pinch the stem tips as needed. You can also combine pinching with other pruning techniques, such as cutting back the stems, to encourage fuller growth.

Remember, pinching is a simple and effective way to control the height and shape of your Bolivian Jew plant. It stimulates the growth of side shoots, resulting in a bushier and more compact plant. With regular pinching, you can enjoy a healthy and aesthetically pleasing plant.

Mist foliage to deter spider mites

Misting foliage is an effective way to deter spider mites and prevent infestations. Spider mites thrive in dry, warm environments, so increasing the humidity around your plants will make the conditions less favourable for them. Regular misting of plants, especially on the undersides of leaves, helps to deter spider mites.

To increase the humidity, you can use a room humidifier or simply mist your plants with a spray bottle. Another method is to place plants on trays filled with pebbles and a small amount of water, ensuring the bottom of the pot is not sitting in the water.

Misting is a preventative measure, but if your plant is already infested with spider mites, misting can still be an effective treatment. Spider mites are easily washed away, so a hard blast of water, especially on the undersides of leaves, can remove mites and their eggs. For indoor plants, place them in a sink or bathtub and use the faucet sprayer to dislodge the mites.

After misting, it is important to inspect your plants regularly to ensure the mites do not return. Spider mites reproduce quickly, so early identification is key to preventing a larger infestation.

Frequently asked questions