How to Grow a Sedum album? A Detailed Guide to the Latest Cultivation Methods
Sedum album, also known as white stonecrop, is a perennial herbaceous succulent plant of the genus Sedum in the family Crassulaceae. Its leaves are swollen into oval or cylindrical shapes, and the plant cluster is small and elegant. The leaves are crystal clear like emerald pearls. As a potted plant, it adds a very refined touch to a desk or tea table, and it has extremely high ornamental value. Let us take a look together at the cultivation methods for Sedum album!
The Growth Habits of Sedum album
Sedum album is native to Europe. It likes plenty of sunlight and also tolerates partial shade. It requires well-drained sandy loam soil. It does not need too much fertilizer, and attention should be paid to the balance of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers; do not apply nitrogen fertilizer alone. It is not tolerant of waterlogging, so prevent the potting soil from becoming too wet, and in winter even more attention should be paid to controlling watering.
Propagation Methods for Sedum album
Sedum album is propagated by division and cuttings. For cuttings, small branches or leaves can be used as cuttings, and they root very easily. It is extremely drought-tolerant and dislikes waterlogging. The overwintering temperature should be above -15°C.
Cultivation Methods for Sedum album
1. Soil: For potted Sedum album, the growing medium can be prepared by mixing 2 parts sandy loam soil with 1 part each of leaf mold, river sand, and crushed brick and gravel. Apply fertilizer once a month from April to September. In autumn, increase the application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, and stop fertilizing in winter.
2. Watering: Sedum album is a xerophytic flowering plant, so watering should be strictly controlled. From spring to early autumn, water thoroughly only after the soil has dried out; in winter, water sparingly or not at all. Too much watering makes the plant shape loose and causes leaves to fall off easily.
3. Light: Apart from needing shade in midsummer, Sedum album should receive plenty of light at other times. If kept in light conditions for a long time, the leaf color turns purplish red; under more shaded conditions, the leaf color turns emerald green.
4. Temperature: Sedum album likes plenty of sunlight and also tolerates partial shade. For overwintering, it should be placed indoors in a spot with ample light, keeping the temperature above 10°C. At low temperatures, the leaf color also easily turns purplish red.
5. Repotting: Repot Sedum album once every 1 to 2 years in spring. Its stems and leaves break and drop off easily, so care should be taken when repotting. During repotting, appropriate pruning should also be carried out to make the plant fuller.
6. Fertilizing: Sedum album does not need too much fertilizer. Attention should be paid to the balance of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers; do not apply nitrogen fertilizer alone.
7. Pests and diseases: With too much moisture and poor soil aeration, it is prone to stem rot and root rot. Attention should be paid to controlling the amount of watering, improving ventilation, and choosing well-drained soil.