How to grow and care for the succulent Gasteria, and how to make its leaves thicker?

Gasteria is a common succulent plant. Because its shape resembles a gold ingot, it is also called the ingot flower, so what are the growing methods and precautions for Gasteria? How do you grow it so the leaves become thick?

1. Gasteria succulent growing methods

1. Site selection and land preparation

The soil is best as a fertile, loose, well-drained sandy loam. Apply farmyard manure or compost appropriately to the soil, plow finely and rake level. Generally apply 1500-2000kg of decomposed organic fertilizer per mu, then make beds 0.8-1m wide, with length depending on the terrain. Soil that is too wet or too sticky is not suitable for planting.

2. Division propagation and seedling raising

For division propagation, in spring each year (March-April), or in autumn and winter (September-November), dig up the small offsets that emerge around each Gasteria plant together with their roots, cut the underground stem connecting them to the mother plant, and they can then be planted in place. For bud cutting propagation, cut 5-10cm new shoots from the leaf axils of the mother plant, place them in a cool place for 4-5 hours in summer or 1-2 days in winter, and once the cut surface is slightly dry, insert them into a seedbed with shade netting. They root 20 days after insertion, and after 2-3 months of cultivation in the seedbed they can be lifted and planted in place.

3. Planting in place

Planting in place can be done in spring (March-April) or autumn (September-November). Use division seedlings or inserted seedlings 10-20cm tall, with a planting spacing of 50cm×50cm or 40cm×50cm, planting 2 rows per bed and 1 plant per hole. When planting, spread the roots out and firm the soil over them. If the soil is dry, water lightly to settle the roots, and use small branches for temporary shading.

4. Field management

Watering and drainage: In summer when the weather is hot, watering must be done to keep the soil moist. But it should not be too wet; pay attention to draining accumulated water to avoid root rot.

Loosening soil and weeding: During the growing period, weed and loosen the soil frequently. In the rainy season, remove the pulled weeds from the garden and compost them for fertilizer. In the dry season, use the pulled weeds to cover around the roots. Combine weeding with loosening or earthing up the soil.

Fertilizing: To promote plant growth, fertilize in time, mainly with decomposed organic fertilizer combined with chemical fertilizer. Apply chemical fertilizer 3-4 times per year, each time applying 4000-5000kg of decomposed organic fertilizer per mu, mixed with 6kg of urea and 50kg of superphosphate.

2. Precautions for growing Gasteria succulents

1. When watering, follow the principle of not watering until dry, and watering thoroughly when you do. In winter, control moisture even more; too much watering easily causes root rot. A special reminder is that Gasteria root rot is not easy to notice. Many people who grow Gasteria have this feeling: a Gasteria on the table is looked at every day, but when one day you pick it up and touch it, it topples over, and it turns out the inside has completely rotted. It is recommended to water once every 20-30 days in summer and once every 30-40 days in winter.

2. Gasteria placed on a room table should be given ventilation and light. If kept in darkness for a long time, it should be appropriately taken outside to receive light when there is sunlight; it can overwinter safely in winter without other protective measures; when grown on a balcony, it must not be exposed to direct sun in summer, and bright indirect light is suitable. In winter, move it indoors to prevent freezing.

3. Gasteria often grows young plants from beside the base, and they can be divided and repotted according to growth conditions.

3. How do you grow Gasteria succulents so the leaves become thick?

1. Maintain fertile soil and sufficient moisture

If you want to grow Gasteria succulents thick, you need to supplement sufficient nutrients for the leaves to grow thick. You can fertilize the soil and keep the soil dry, keeping the soil loose. For the potting soil, choose a mixed soil of leaf mold and coarse sand. When watering, appropriately misting the leaf surface is enough.

2. Pay attention to fertilizing Gasteria

If you want Gasteria leaves to become thick, you need to maintain sufficient nutrients and fertilize Gasteria regularly. During the growing season, apply fertilizer once a month. Apply some organic fertilizer, and the succulent will grow strong.

3. Keep it cool and ventilated

Gasteria is suitable for growing in semi-shade. Do not place it in a place with strong sunlight, otherwise the leaves of Gasteria will be sunburned, causing the leaves to fail to develop normally and the leaf quality to become thin.

4. Keep the environment warm

When light conditions are met, Gasteria succulents can be kept out of areas with direct sunlight as much as possible. Gasteria likes warmth, but its cold tolerance is relatively poor. It can be placed in a warm place and kept at 16-26 degrees Celsius. In winter, pay attention to keeping it warm, and do not let the temperature fall below 5 degrees, so it can grow better.