How to Propagate Succulents

Ever wondered how to propagate a certain succulent? 

For example, lithops (living stones)...is it possible to take cuttings from those thick, molar-shaped leaves? How about ruffled echeverias...can a solitary rosette be made to offset? And stacked crassulas...what do you do when stems are tightly lined with leaves? 

Most succulents can be propagated vegetatively---via stem cuttings, pulling apart offsets, or rooting leaves. To the novice, of course, such tasks are mystifying. How deep, for example, does one plant a leaf? 

Even more challenging are succulents that make propagators pull out a power drill, coffee grinder, or tub of roofing gravel---all tools routinely used by nurseryman-grower Aaron Ryan of Petaluma, CA. 

Aaron is down-to-earth in more ways than one. At past Succulent Extravaganzas at Succulent Gardens Nursery, he graciously showed standing-room-only audiences a half dozen ways to propagate a variety of succulents. 

Somehow watching Aaron grind seed pods, guillotine a frilly echeveria, or snip a stacked crassula is soothing. You know those babies are gonna make it. You also know that with Aaron's methods, you'll soon have plenty of new plants to play with.