How to Grow the Succulent Orostachys? Two Methods to Solve the Problem of Not Blooming

Orostachys, also known as Tianwang Iron Tower Grass and Xiangtian Grass, is a succulent plant that grows on roof tiles and resembles a pine tree in appearance. Because it looks very attractive and has the effect of treating hemorrhoids, it is widely cultivated. Nowadays many people like to keep a pot at home, so how do you grow the succulent Orostachys? What should you do if it does not bloom?

I. Introduction to Orostachys:

1. What varieties of Orostachys are there?

Orostachys ochroleuca, Orostachys spinosa, Orostachys erythrosticta, Orostachys malacophylla, Orostachys chanetii, and Orostachys minuta.

2. Where does Orostachys grow?

Orostachys is relatively common in rural areas, mostly growing in the gaps between tiles on the roofs of tile-roofed and thatched houses, on stony hillsides and rocks. Its vitality is very tenacious, and it can generally grow in areas below 1600 m in altitude.

II. How to Grow Orostachys?

Orostachys is much like other succulents. As long as water, fertilizer and light are handled well, it can grow. The specific cultivation methods are as follows:

1. Flower pot selection: What size pot is best?

Orostachys likes to grow in environments similar to the gaps between roof tiles, so try to choose a flower pot with a relatively large diameter for cultivation.

2. Transplanting: When is the best time to transplant?

(1) Transplanting time: Orostachys can be transplanted at any time. If transplanting in spring, it is best to choose rosette-form leaf-cluster Orostachys, which can bloom in the same year after surviving. If transplanting in summer or autumn, it is best to choose one-year-old small seedlings.

(2) Transplanting method: After choosing the pot, place some gravel at the bottom of the pot, then spread a layer of nutrient soil, put the Orostachys seedling into the flower pot, then sprinkle in some nutrient soil, and finally add some coarse river sand. When mixing the soil, it is best to use peat and coal cinder mixed into nutrient soil, with gravel, nutrient soil and coarse river sand placed at a ratio of 3:3:2, which can provide a very good growing environment for Orostachys.

3. Cultivation management techniques: What are the requirements for water and fertilizer?

(1) Light requirements: Orostachys likes light but is not tolerant of strong light. It generally grows most vigorously in spring and autumn, so light should be increased in spring and autumn, and appropriate shading should be provided in summer to avoid sunburn.

(2) Temperature requirements: Orostachys does not have high temperature requirements and is both heat-tolerant and cold-tolerant, but in winter the temperature should preferably not fall below minus five degrees for it to overwinter safely. It does not matter if it falls below minus five degrees, but watering should stop when it is below minus 3 degrees, and when it is below 0 degrees the pot soil should be kept dry, so that it can safely overwinter.

(3) Water requirements: Orostachys is a succulent plant and has relatively high water requirements. Generally follow the method of “water thoroughly only when the soil is completely dry, and do not water when it is not dry” when watering, but do not water too much, to avoid water accumulating in the pot soil and causing root rot. Generally in summer, water thoroughly 3 to 4 times a month, and at other times determine the amount of watering according to the plant's growth condition.

(4) Ventilation requirements: After Orostachys blooms in summer, the mother plant will die, and the side buds will enter a dormant state, so at this time indoor ventilation should be maintained to avoid drying out and dying.

III. What Should You Do If Orostachys Does Not Bloom?

Under normal circumstances, Orostachys will bloom in August to September, but if it is not managed well, it will not bloom. The specific reasons are as follows:

Reason one, climatic factors: Because the climate difference between the north and south is large, the blooming time of many flowers in our country will be earlier or later, so if management is proper, just wait patiently. For example, in the north, Orostachys generally does not bloom until mid-to-late October.

Reason two, invasion by pests and diseases: During the growth period, Orostachys may suffer from powdery mildew or whiteflies, and the invasion of both will cause Orostachys not to bloom.

Solution: In southern regions, humidity should be well controlled in August to September. If the humidity is too high, some carbendazim or triadimefon can be sprayed on the surface of the plant. If there is a whitefly pest, spraying buprofezin wettable powder or imidacloprid wettable powder twice can effectively control it.

Overall, Orostachys is very easy to grow. As long as the pot soil is well chosen and water, light and other requirements are well managed, it can bloom normally. But if in the north, it generally does not bloom until mid-to-late October, so when growing it, if it has not bloomed, you can wait patiently. In addition, pests and diseases can also prevent Orostachys from blooming, so prevention and control must be strengthened.