Graptopetalum - indoor flower, which appeared in Europe less than a century ago thanks to the random discovery of the Mexican explorer Alfred Lau.
Charming decorative look and unpretentious care helped him to quickly gain popularity among many amateur growers.
The article describes the types of graptopetalum, as well as the correct care at home and photo of the plant.
Plant description
Graptopetalum - succulent family Its homeland is considered to be the territory of Mexico and Southwest, North America.
In nature, it most often grows on dry, stony, well-drained mountain slopes, near coniferous forests.
Thermophilic plantcharacterized by slow growth and beautiful long flowering. Well suited as a indoor flower. Some representatives of the species are grown in greenhouses.
Perennial herbaceous plant. In room conditions is a compact shrub with succulent stems. In nature, sometimes reaches 70-90 cm in height.
Kinds
Found in nature different types of this plant. Some of them are grown in closed greenhouses and are suitable for growing in apartments.
Nice
Graptopetalum beautiful (Graptopetalum bellum), often referred to as the Mexican star or Tatius beautiful (Tatius - the first name, which was called Graptopetalum)
It is a compact succulent with short stems and succulent leaves, collected in a flat rounded rosettes. The socket is practically on the ground.
With proper care, the plant for years can maintain a neat decorative look. Pink flowers with petals pointed at the ends, with purple-red stamens, shaped like small stars.
Bellum enjoys special attention at florists thanks to charming colors. This species is able to adapt to growing even with a lack of lighting.
Paraguayan
Graptopetalum Paraguayan (paraguayense) or stone flower.
Perennial succulent leaf with a short stem and fleshy, silver-gray, pointed at the ends of the leaves, collected in a dense basal rosette (2-2.6 cm in diameter). Light-requiring
Homeland - Mexico, Paraguay. Flowers are white with pink stripes at the ends, in the form of an asterisk, with short pedicels. Flowering time: from May to July.
Five-tongue
Graptopetalum pentandrum.
This plant is in the form of a neat bush with dense, pointed, silver-gray leaves and erect stem, woody at the base.
The leaves are collected in dense apical rosettes. Flowers are large, elongated, light pink with pointed burgundy tips.
Pentandrum looks great in container garden or on the windows of an apartment in a spherical pot. Light-requiring
Filamentous
Graptopetalum filamentous (filiferum).
This species attracts attention with compact beautiful leaves of gray-green color with pointed red-brown ends.
The rosette (6-10 cm in diameter) is formed from many small leaves. From 70 to 200 in one outlet. Flowers are large, 4 cm in diameter, collected in 3-6 pieces.
Filiferum is found in the territories of western Mexico. In the apartment prefers good lighting and well-drained soil.
Plate
Graptopetalum plate (pachyphyllum). Perennial miniature succulent, resembling a small tree.
Differs more branched stem and small light green. They are so short and fleshy that they seem plump. Sockets 2-3 cm in diameter.
The plant looks good in the home compositions of eco-aquariums.
Mac-Dugala
Graptopetalum MacDougall (macdougallii).
Heliosophilic succulent. Stemless unbranched small shrub with a rosette of green-bluish leaves.
The plant quickly gives new shoots. It is often used for decorative purposes to create ground cover compositions and landscaping rooms.
Amethyst
Graptopetalum Amethystinum (Amethystinum). A fairly common form.
It is a loose, not high semi-shrub with fleshy blue-gray leaves (3-4 cm), club-shaped. Top similar to the outlet.
Care
Graptopetalum is considered quite unpretentious indoor flower. Learn how to produce home care for graptopetalum is not difficult.
Temperature
Grapptotalum is a thermophilic plant.
In spring and summer, the optimum growing temperature is 23-28 degrees.
Late autumn comes time to rest.
The flower grower must pay attention to the fact that the succulent is kept at this time in a cool room with a temperature not higher than 12-15 degrees (not lower than 10). The best option is cool windowsills next to the window.
Watering
In spring and summer regular and frequent watering is recommended. Autumn watering limit and in winter (dormancy time), the succulent is practically not watered.
Only if necessary (if the soil is very dry) can you moisten the ground a little.
The soil
The earth should be light, well drained, pass oxygen and moisture.
The best prepared soil for cacti and succulents, which is sold in specialized flower shops.
Light mode
Light-loving plant.
Prefers bright natural (or artificial) lighting. The best option - window sills windows south-east, south-west side.
If the windows are facing south, make ambient lighting.
With a lack of light in winter, it is recommended to create conditions with additional artificial lighting.
In late spring and summer, in dry, warm weather, a flower can be taken out to breathe and warm yourself outside.
Grapptotalum does not like direct sunlight, burns on the leaves may occur.
Air humidity
It grows well in rooms with dry air. Does not need additional sprays with water.
Fertilizers
Under natural conditions, the plant grows in areas with dry, stony soil that is not rich in minerals.
When growing in an apartment can not fertilize. If you want to feed a flower, it is recommended to use a special liquid fertilizer for cacti and succulents.
You need to feed no more than once a month and only in the warm season.
Transfer
It is recommended to replant the flower only when necessary.: when you need a larger pot or with the formation of numerous side sockets. The young grapptotalum is transplanted approximately 1 time in 2 years.
Breeding
Grapptotalum multiply lateral and apical rosettes.
How to separate the graptopetalum cutting? It is necessary to separate the cuttings from the mother plant and to wade a bit so that the tip dries out.- After separation of the outlet, it is possible to process the outlet with a growth stimulator (solution of heteroauxin), so that the roots are more likely to form.
- Rosette rooted in moistened sand. Top cover with a glass jar, which is removed 1-2 times a day to moisten the soil (if required) and airing.
When the roots appear, the plant is transplanted into a container for permanent growth.
How to separate the graptopetalum cutting? It is necessary to separate the cuttings from the mother plant and to wade a bit so that the tip dries out.Bloom
Graptopetalum is distinguished by its long flowering.. Flowering time begins in April and lasts until the end of the summer period.
In winter, be sure to observe the temperature, light conditions, adhere to proper watering.This will adversely affect the onset of flowering.
Diseases and pests
Improper care does not rarely lead to diseases and damage by pests.
The most common problems that a grower can face are:
Rotting. In this case, the flower is removed from the pot, remove the rot, the affected parts.Then treated in a weak solution of potassium permanganate and planted in a new container. If the pot is used old, you need to wash it well and disinfect before planting.
To prevent the formation of rot, you need to properly observe the mode of watering..
- The second dangerous enemy for grappetalum is spider mite.
It covers the surface of the leaves with a brownish bright patina. The best way to fight is acaricide treatment.
- Sometimes leaves are affected mealybug. It is difficult to notice it, because it hides in a dense rosette of leaves.
At the first sign of damage, the flower is treated with insecticides.
Rotting. In this case, the flower is removed from the pot, remove the rot, the affected parts.Grapptotalum is increasingly attracting the attention of many gardeners due to the beautiful decorative appearance, long flowering and unpretentious care.
Succulent will be a real decoration in the house or a greenhouse. Caring for him is not difficult.
The most important thing is to give him caring and proper care. This will help avoid growing problems.
