How do you grow Graptosedum 'Bronze' succulents so they grow multiple heads?
Graptosedum 'Bronze', also known as Pink Lotus, Gem Flower, First Frost, Striped Petal and so on, is a perennial succulent of the Crassulaceae family, genus Graptopetalum; its plant form is extremely similar to Graptopetalum paraguayense of the same genus, with leaves arranged in an elongated rosette and covered in white powder, normally green and turning vermilion with brown when sunlight is sufficient, with melon-seed-shaped leaves that are rather pointed at the tip, and it produces small yellow star-shaped flowers. Now let us take a look together at how to grow Graptosedum 'Bronze' so it grows multiple heads!
Growth habits of Graptosedum 'Bronze'
Graptosedum 'Bronze' has rather beautiful leaf shape and leaf color, has a certain ornamental value, and can also be planted indoors to absorb substances such as formaldehyde, with the effect of purifying the air. Graptosedum 'Bronze' is native to Mexico, and can now be cultivated in many places in our country; it likes a sunny, warm and dry environment, is drought-tolerant, and spring and autumn are the main growing seasons for Echeveria plants.
Propagation methods of Graptosedum 'Bronze'
Graptosedum 'Bronze' propagates extremely fast, especially by leaf cuttings, with a success rate of almost 100%, making it the first choice variety for beginners to start leaf cuttings. Graptosedum 'Bronze' can also be propagated by stem cuttings, but old plants of many years also have a special charm; after the stems become woody, the lower leaves can be pulled off for leaf cuttings, and the remaining old plant can be used for shaping as a single specimen.
How to grow Graptosedum 'Bronze' so it grows multiple heads?
1. Soil: For planting Graptosedum 'Bronze', a potting soil of half loam and half coarse sand can be used, but the soil should not become waterlogged, otherwise root rot will occur.
2. Light: During the growing season, Graptosedum 'Bronze' needs to be placed in sunlight for cultivation. Otherwise the plant will become leggy, the plant shape loose, the leaves thinner, the leaf color dull, and the white powder on the leaf surface reduced.
3. Watering: For watering Graptosedum 'Bronze', follow the principle of “do not water until dry, and water thoroughly when you do”, avoid waterlogging in the potting soil; when the air is dry, water can be sprinkled around the plant, but water should not accumulate on the leaf surface, especially in the center of the leaf rosette, otherwise the heart will rot, and special care should be taken to avoid prolonged rain.
4. Fertilizing: During the growing season, apply a thin liquid fertilizer that has been fully decomposed or a compound fertilizer low in nitrogen and high in phosphorus and potassium once about every 20 days; when fertilizing, do not splash the fertilizer water onto the leaves; it is generally done on a clear morning or evening, and a thorough watering is given that evening or the next morning to dilute the residual fertilizer liquid in the soil.
5. Summer: In summer, when temperatures are high, Graptosedum 'Bronze' can be kept in a well-ventilated place, avoiding scorching sun; watering and fertilizing should be restrained, at this time basically no watering is needed, and the plant can be appropriately misted to lower the temperature.
6. Winter: In winter, place Graptosedum 'Bronze' indoors in a sunny spot; if the minimum nighttime temperature is around 10°C and there is a certain temperature difference between day and night, it can be watered appropriately and fertilized as needed, so that the plant continues to grow. If such a high temperature cannot be maintained, watering should be controlled, the potting soil kept dry, and fertilizing stopped, so that the plant goes dormant; it can also tolerate low temperatures of 5°C, and some varieties can even tolerate low temperatures of 0°C.