How to grow Glottiphyllum? A detailed guide to the latest cultivation methods
Glottiphyllum, also known as ox-tongue leaf, Buddha's palm, ox-tongue flower, tongue-leaf flower, tongue-leaf daisy and so on, is a perennial succulent plant of the genus Glottiphyllum in the family Aizoaceae. It is native to South Africa where winters are warm, and is widely cultivated around the world. It is suitable for pot culture, displayed on desks, windowsills and small tables, small and exquisite, very elegant. Now let us take a look at the cultivation methods for Glottiphyllum!
The cultivation value of Glottiphyllum
The leaves of Glottiphyllum are thick and juicy, emerald green and translucent, shaped like jade, elegant and distinctive. It blooms in the first month of winter, with golden-yellow flowers, dazzling and eye-catching, and particularly endearing. Glottiphyllum is suitable for pot culture, displayed on desks, windowsills and small tables, small and exquisite, very elegant. It can be used to decorate windowsills and beautify balconies. When the stems elongate and the leaf clusters droop below the rim of the pot, if not discarded, they should be hung up for display, thereby making up for the bare surface of the pot.
Propagation methods of Glottiphyllum
1. Sowing: The sowing period for Glottiphyllum is from late April to mid-May. Sow in pots indoors according to the sowing method for small seeds. At a room temperature of 20-24°C, germination begins after 10 days, and the seedlings emerge quickly and uniformly. When the ox-tongue palm seedlings grow to more than 3 cm, transplant them separately into small flower pots. During the seedling stage, appropriate shading should be provided, and the potting soil should be kept slightly moist; do not water heavily.
2. Cuttings: In potted Glottiphyllum plants more than 2 years old, the leaves at the base of the stem begin to fall off, and at this time latent buds at the leaf scars sprout and produce side branches. The side branches can be cut off from the base, a few leaves at the base removed to expose the ox-tongue palm stem, and then inserted into moist plain sandy soil. After the sandy soil dries, drip a little water, place in a warm indoor spot with appropriate shade, and roots will form after 20 days.
Cultivation methods of Glottiphyllum
1. Temperature: Glottiphyllum likes warmth, and the most suitable temperature for growth is 18-22°C. It is not cold-tolerant, and the overwintering temperature should be maintained above 5°C. It also fears hot, high-temperature weather; above 30°C is unfavorable for plant growth and it enters a semi-dormant state. Measures such as shading, spraying water on the plant and the surrounding environment, and strengthening ventilation should be taken to lower the temperature and create a cooler microclimate.
2. Light: Glottiphyllum likes a semi-shaded environment and avoids strong direct sunlight. From May to September, shading should be provided to block about 50% of sunlight, or the plant should be placed in a spot with ample scattered light. At other times, full sunlight should be given, especially in spring when it must receive sufficient sunlight. When light is sufficient, the whole plant is emerald green, the leaves are glossy and shiny, and the flowers are numerous and bright. When light is insufficient, not only do the leaves become thin and weak, but flower buds are also difficult to differentiate and the number of flowers decreases; even if it blooms, the flower color becomes dull and lusterless, affecting its ornamental value.
3. Watering: The thick, fleshy leaves of Glottiphyllum contain well-developed water-storage tissue, so it is very drought-tolerant. Even if the leaves wilt due to drought, it does not matter; as long as some water is added, the softened leaves will perk up again. However, it is not tolerant of waterlogging; soil that is too wet will make the plant grow leggy and reduce flowering, and excessive waterlogging can also cause root rot. During the spring and autumn growth periods, watering should follow the principle of “alternating dry and wet, leaning toward dry”; water only after the potting soil has dried.
4. Fertilizing: Glottiphyllum does not like heavy fertilizer. In spring, when the plant is in a vigorous period of growth and flowering, apply a fertilizer combining nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium once every half month to promote growth and flowering. In early summer, the plant enters a semi-dormant state, and fertilizing should stop. In early autumn, the plant again enters a period of vigorous growth, but nitrogen fertilizer should be stopped and potassium fertilizer increased to prevent excessive autumn growth from affecting the plant's cold resistance. Fertilizing should also stop in winter.
5. Repotting: Glottiphyllum should be repotted once about every 2 years, usually after flowering in spring. It likes loose, highly permeable sandy loam. The growing medium can be made from materials such as leaf mold, garden soil and coarse sand. When mixing is difficult, more drainage layers should be placed at the bottom of the pot to facilitate drainage. Usually, after 3 years of planting, the plant becomes aged and needs cuttings or division to ensure that the leaf surfaces remain emerald green and the flowering is abundant.
6. Disease prevention: The main diseases of Glottiphyllum are leaf spot and rust, which can be controlled by spraying Bordeaux mixture (1:1:100) once every half month. Among pests, scale insects are harmful; spray with 40% omethoate emulsifiable concentrate at 1500 times dilution to kill them.