What to Do When the Bear's Paw Drops Leaves? Causes and the Latest Solutions

The Bear's Paw (Cotyledon tomentosa) is a succulent of the genus Cotyledon in the family Crassulaceae. It is small in form with many branches, dainty and elegant, graceful in shape, unique and beautiful, and can be grown as a small indoor potted plant. Its green leaves are densely covered with white fuzz, much like a bear's paw, and it can be planted in a small decorative pot to accent a desk, windowsill and other spots, or grown as part of a collection. Now let's take a look at what to do when the Bear's Paw drops leaves!

Why does the Bear's Paw drop leaves?

1. When the Bear's Paw drops leaves or has rotting leaves, it is probably because it has been watered too much. The Bear's Paw's growing season should be from mid-autumn to mid-spring, when its leaves are thick and plump, but in the dormant period the leaves shrink and drop, which is a normal phenomenon.

2. There is another situation in which the Bear's Paw drops leaves: because the Bear's Paw is a winter-growing type that goes dormant in summer, it cannot tolerate high temperatures and high humidity, and combined with some growers watering without restraint and without considering the consequences, this leads to leaf drop and root rot.

What to do when the Bear's Paw drops leaves?

1. When the Bear's Paw drops leaves, if the grower has not watered without restraint and the care method is normal, then water less at this time and just water again when the soil is dry. As long as it does not die, it will return to its original state once it gets through the dormant period.

2. If the leaf drop is caused by overwatering, then be careful, because the Bear's Paw is in its dormant period in summer and is very hard to revive. Facing a summer of high temperatures and high humidity, growers can reduce watering and increase ventilation to lower the hot, humid conditions. A medium with good air permeability and drainage is recommended.

How should the Bear's Paw be grown well?

1. Temperature: After moving the Bear's Paw into a new pot, keep its growing environment dry at all times and make sure it gets plenty of sunlight. Note, however, that the Bear's Paw's growing temperature should not exceed 35°C, because at that point the plant's growth will pause.

2. Light: The Bear's Paw needs full sunlight during its growing season. With sufficient sunlight the leaves become thick and plump, while too much shade makes the stems and leaves slender and weak. In the high heat of midsummer, shade it appropriately, but too much shade makes the stems and leaves frail and the fuzz lose its luster. It is not cold-hardy, so move it indoors for the winter and place it at a window with plenty of sunlight.

3. Watering: The Bear's Paw prefers dry soil. If the surrounding environment is rather humid, reduce the frequency of watering to prevent the roots from becoming overly moist and developing root rot. When watering the Bear's Paw, water a little at a time; watering twice a month is enough, and the watering time should preferably be around seven o'clock in the evening.

4. Repotting: As the Bear's Paw grows, a small pot can no longer meet its growing needs. Generally repot once every one to two years, preferably in spring during the growing season. Before repotting, prepare new soil in the new pot. The new soil should have medium fertility and good drainage; coarse sand, vermiculite, garden soil and leaf mold can be mixed evenly. Because the Bear's Paw is drought-tolerant and not tolerant of waterlogging, only a small amount of water is needed at the time of repotting.

5. Pests and diseases: Wilt disease and leaf spot disease are two conditions the Bear's Paw commonly develops. Wilt disease can turn the Bear's Paw's leaves yellow and withered, and in severe cases cause death. Leaf spot disease causes various irregular spots on the Bear's Paw's leaves and affects its ornamental value. To prevent and control these two diseases, dilute 50 grams of captan 800 times and spray it on the surface of the plant. The Bear's Paw's insect pests include scale insects and whiteflies; dilute 40 percent omethoate emulsifiable concentrate 1000 times and spray it on the surface of the plant.