Reasons and Solutions for Peach Egg (Graptopetalum amethystinum) Leaves Not Turning Red, Wrinkling and Falling Off

The reason Peach Egg (Graptopetalum amethystinum) is called Peach Egg is that most of the time it displays a pink color similar to peach blossoms. Therefore, in most people's view, once Peach Egg takes on some other color, does that mean something has gone wrong with the succulent? Is that really so?

How to Handle Peach Egg Leaves That Are Not Red

When Peach Egg leaves are not red, the pink Peach Egg turns into a green egg. This is mainly caused by excessive light. Sunlight not only brings ultraviolet rays to Peach Egg, but also raises the temperature of the environment around Peach Egg. If Peach Egg is exposed to ultraviolet rays alone, it will turn red, but if the temperature also rises while it is exposed to ultraviolet rays, then Peach Egg will go from red to green, and may even eventually turn black. So sunlight is a double-edged sword.

There are mainly two points to note in the solution: First, in summer, place Peach Egg in an air-conditioned room, and be sure to put it in a spot with good daylight, preferably indirect light, such as on a windowsill. Second, because winter temperatures are lower, if there is sun, it is best to take Peach Egg out to bask in the sun, but at night be sure to bring it back into the room to keep it warm.

Causes and Solutions for Wrinkling and Falling Off of Succulent Peach Egg Leaves

1. Causes

First, although Peach Egg fears overwatering, it fears drought even more. When growing Peach Egg, you must not water too little, otherwise the leaves will necrose and then gradually fall off.

Second, Peach Egg is a variety that needs fertilizer for nourishment. As Peach Egg leaves age, their color may gradually turn green. At this time, if too little fertilizer is applied, it is a huge threat to the growth of Peach Egg.

Third, if the soil in which Peach Egg grows has particles that are too large, the soil moisture will be lost too quickly, and nutrients in the soil will be carried away at the same time, causing Peach Egg leaves to fail to grow plump or to shrink.

2. Solutions

First, do not wait until the potting soil is too dry before watering. During normal care, touch the soil from time to time; if you find the soil is too dry, water it promptly to prevent Peach Egg from becoming too dry.

Second, apply fertilizer. In addition to spraying multi-effect paclobutrazol several times in spring and autumn to prevent leggy growth, also bury some slow-release fertilizer at the bottom of the pot to keep the soil nutrients sufficient.

Third, the particles in the growing medium should not be too large. The recommended growing medium ratio is peat soil and large-particle soil at a ratio of 2:3, so as to keep nutrients in the soil from being easily lost and ensure Peach Egg has sufficient nutrient supply.

Propagation Method of Peach Egg by Cuttings

1. Time

It is best to carry out cuttings in summer (from June to before the Start of Autumn), because cuttings in spring, autumn and winter tend to produce multiple heads and do not turn to water.

2. Soil Mix

Peach Egg prefers loose soil with good aeration, so generally peat mixed with perlite and coal cinders is used, with the ratio of the three being roughly 1:1:1. Other media can also be added according to actual conditions.

3. Leaf Selection

When the soil in the pot is about to dry out, twist the leaves off; this way the original growth point is less likely to be damaged, and the cutting success rate is high.

4. Leaf Treatment

After twisting the leaves off, do not insert them into the soil immediately. Leave them on a table to dry for 8—10 days, and wait until the leaves wilt and there is a red spot at the growth point or the leaves have rooted, then place them in moist soil.

5. Watering

If the leaves have rooted before cutting, then after inserting them into the pot you can water, but not too much. Do not water leaves that have sprouted but have no roots; just spray a little around them, otherwise the leaves may easily turn to water.

How to Make Peach Egg Fill the Pot

1. Soil Selection

The soil and fertilizer for growing Peach Egg must be sufficient, so that it can absorb ample nutrients from the roots. Generally there are two soil preparation methods. One is to mix peat soil and coal cinders at a ratio of 2:1 to make the soil mix. The other is to add perlite in addition to peat and coal cinders, mixing the three at a ratio of 1:1:1. In this way, small particles are added in addition to the soil, which can make the soil more airy, help Peach Egg roots breathe, and allow it to fill the pot better.

2. Light and Watering

Watering Peach Egg is very particular, but also very simple. The principle is that once you feel the soil begin to dry, water it. When watering, just soak the soil through. With suitable moisture nourishment, Peach Egg will be more likely to fill the pot. But if the moisture is too saturated, it will easily cause Peach Egg leaves to fall off, and the result will be the opposite of what was intended. Also note that in the dry summer you cannot noticeably increase the watering frequency; instead, use methods such as shading Peach Egg to slow the evaporation of moisture in the soil.

As for light, Peach Egg needs very sufficient light, so do not put it in a gloomy place. Sunlight will promote the growth of Peach Egg leaves and make them fuller. But in summer, be careful to avoid leaving Peach Egg in the sun for long periods of exposure. Move it appropriately to a place without direct sunlight, and reasonably regulate light and watering to promote Peach Egg filling the pot.

3. Prune the Branches and Leaves

In spring, you can break off a few leaves from the side branches of Peach Egg and place them in the soil, or cut off the leaves at its top and likewise place them in the soil. These broken-off leaves will root in the soil and, after absorbing nutrients, will grow into new shoots. At the same time, after Peach Egg is beheaded, the cut part easily grows new stems. In this way, beheading not only helps grow new clusters of Peach Egg plants, but also promotes renewed growth of the original plant and produces more branches, thereby achieving the goal of filling the pot. So in order for Peach Egg to grow more beautifully, it is best to prune its branches and leaves every spring.

When Peach Egg is exposed to sunlight and the air temperature around the plant rises, it will display a green color, or even turn black, which greatly affects the appearance of Peach Egg. Therefore, when the weather is very hot, we need to put Peach Egg indoors, while the problem of wrinkled leaves has many solutions and needs targeted treatment.