Graptopetalum 'Bellum' is a succulent plant in the Crassulaceae family, genus Graptopetalum.

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Graptopetalum 'Bellum' is a hybrid variety of the genus Graptopetalum, also called Silver Windmill. It is a perennial glabrous succulent herbaceous plant. The plant's leaves are arranged horizontally in a rosette, with broadly ovate leaves, leaf tips, and arc-shaped leaf margins. The leaves are thick and fleshy, smooth and covered with a white powdery coating, and range in color from pink to purple-pink. With sufficient sunlight, the leaves are tightly packed; in weak light, the leaf color turns light pink or light green, the leaves become narrow and long, and also thinner, and the spacing between leaves will stretch out from etiolation. The flower stalks of Graptopetalum 'Bellum' are very tall. The clustered inflorescences bear red and white flowers that open upward, with five petals when blooming, very beautiful, blooming in early summer.

1. Soil requirements

For the potting soil of the succulent Graptopetalum 'Bellum', peat mixed with granular cinder, river sand, etc. is generally used, with clean river sand laid on the soil surface. The soil mix should be mainly breathable.

2. Light requirements

Graptopetalum 'Bellum' needs to receive sufficient sunlight for the leaf color to be vivid, the plant shape to be more compact and attractive, and the leaves to be thick and fleshy. Graptopetalum 'Bellum' is a small to medium-sized plant. Depending on its growth state, it must be repotted once every 2 to 4 years. The pot diameter can be 1 to 2 cun larger than the plant diameter, which can promote plant growth.

3. Watering requirements

When watering the succulent Graptopetalum 'Bellum', be sure to wait until the potting soil is dry before watering. A slow-release fertilizer can be applied once per quarter.

4. Summer care

Once the temperature is above 35 degrees, shade with a shade net, otherwise it is prone to sunburn, then gradually stop watering. During the entire summer dormancy period, give little or no water. When the temperature drops in mid-September, begin to resume watering. Graptopetalum 'Bellum' that has adapted to a sunroom can still grow normally in summer, and its dormancy is not very obvious, though because of the reduced water the leaves will slightly decrease and become a bit thinner.

5. Winter care

If the winter temperature can stay above 0 degrees, flower lovers can safely water Graptopetalum 'Bellum', but if the temperature is below 0 degrees, watering must be stopped, otherwise it is prone to frostbite and root rot. Although winter is cold, you should not go the whole winter without giving it any water at all. The windmill will be given a little water at the roots at the appropriate time. Never mist or give a large amount of water; if moisture stays in the leaf center for too long, it easily causes rot. When the weather is good and there is enough ventilation, you can use clean water to mist and clean the dust off the leaves. Because the plant's leaf rosette is flat and smooth and also has powder, it does not easily hold water, so it will not affect its appearance. Only after washing this way will the plant look even more beautiful.

6. Propagation

Use the leaf-cutting method and beheading to produce small side shoots. This can be done throughout the year, and sowing is also possible.

After the temperature rises in spring, you can gradually resume normal watering. Graptopetalum 'Bellum' can be considered a very easy variety to grow, and it also easily forms clusters. Among the four seasons, apart from paying attention to proper shading in summer, it can receive full sun in the other seasons (in summer, black spots sometimes appear on the leaves, but they will recover after being grown for a while. Do not let the black spots spread. You can spray with medications such as carbendazim. Black spots will affect the appearance, but will not affect the plant's growth).

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