Back in July of this year videos and photographs from Japanese and Chinese succulent growers showcased something seemingly impossible: Echeveria grafted onto Kalanchoe rootstock. For years, grafting Echeveria onto any rootstock—let alone a different genus—was considered impossible. Naturally, as seasoned collectors, we dismissed these images as too good to be true.
Regardless of our thoughts on the subject more posts from foreign nurseries continued on social media and even a detailed video from a prominent Japanese grower demonstrating step-by-step instructions for the grafting process was posted to youtube. (Screenshots Below) This piqued our curiosity. Was this truly a horticultural breakthrough, or just an elaborate hoax?
We decided to attempt grafting Echeveria ourselves—it was the only way to determine whether this was a deceptive ploy or a genuine horticultural breakthrough. A quick Google search for "Can Echeveria be grafted?" yields countless AI-generated articles claiming they can be grafted onto almost anything, even suggesting the creation of succulent "trees." However, these claims are nothing more than blatant misinformation.
The Experiment: Testing the Grafting of Echeveria onto Kalanchoe
To replicate the process shown in the videos, we decided to use Kalanchoe Beharensis 'Fang' as the rootstock, as it appeared to be the go-to choice among the growers. Known for its vigor, resilience, and availability, this variety of Kalanchoe seemed like the perfect candidate.
Here’s how we approached the graft: (Photos Shown Below)
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Preparing the Rootstock:
We carefully removed a V-shaped section of tissue from the meristem of the Kalanchoe stem. -
Preparing the Scion:
Using a cutting of Echeveria 'Compton Carousel,' we sharpened its stem to a tapered shape, ensuring a snug fit into the Kalanchoe’s V-shaped notch. -
Securing the Graft:
Once the scion was in place, we used a small zip tie to hold the two pieces tightly together, ensuring close contact to facilitate fusion.
What next? We waited.
We grew the new graft like we grew any other plant. The graft was planted on the 17th of May and today is the 27th of December.
The Results:
Despite our initial doubts and skepticism that this was a complete hoax, the Compton grafted in May is, by all accounts, thriving. The scion has fused seamlessly at the base and has grown to at least three times its original size since planting (see the before and after images below). To enhance the graft's appearance and ensure the rootstock focuses solely on supporting the Compton Carousel, we’ve removed all the leaves from the Kalanchoe stem.
We've planted three more Compton carousel grafts today in order to demonstrate how we grafted the original and to hopefully confirm the success of the first graft.
Why is this important?
This breakthrough is significant because it addresses a major challenge with plants like Echeveria Compton Coursel, which are particularly prone to root rot compared to other varieties. This innovation could allow us to grow this beautiful variety without the constant struggle or reliance on excessive fungicides. Essentially, it solves one of the major flaws of the variety.
Why does this work?
While we're not entirely sure why this works, the fact that Echeveria and Kalanchoe both belong to the Crassulaceae family doesn’t guarantee success. The graft's success depends on both species’ ability to form a callus and fuse vascular tissues at the grafting site, which these two genera appear to be capable of doing. If our next three grafts continue to thrive, it could mark a turning point in how we sell sensitive varieties. The possibility of selling E. Compton with rootstock could become a viable option.