How to grow Sedum acre 'Aureum'? These care methods you need to master
Sedum acre 'Aureum' is a variety of Sedum lineare, a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Sedum in the Crassulaceae family. It is native to China and Japan and is widely distributed naturally in China. It has extremely strong drought tolerance, a low-growing habit, and spreads along the ground. Its leaves are golden yellow and its flowers are golden yellow. It can be widely planted as an excellent plant for flower borders, flower beds, and landscaping. Let's take a look at how to grow Sedum acre 'Aureum'!
Growth habits of Sedum acre 'Aureum'
Sedum acre 'Aureum' is extremely adaptable and not choosy about soil. It can grow on relatively thin substrate, has extremely strong drought tolerance, and also has fairly strong cold tolerance. In summer, when rooftop temperatures reach as high as 50-55°C and there is no rain for 20 consecutive days, it will not die. When cultivated in northern China, it grows very well in spring, summer, and autumn. During severe cold periods, the aboveground stems and leaves freeze and wither, entering dormancy. Once the soil thaws the following year, new buds sprout, and by early spring it can already cover the ground.
Propagation methods of Sedum acre 'Aureum'
1. Sowing: Broadcasting seeds of Sedum acre 'Aureum' is mainly suitable for the rainy season or cloudy days. It requires flat terrain, loose soil, and a moist plot that has been plowed and harrowed. The raised bed should not be too large. Cut vigorous stems and leaves into 3-4 cm pieces and evenly broadcast them in the prepared bed. The spacing between the broadcast stems and leaves should be about 1 cm. After covering with fine soil to a degree where they are just barely visible, irrigate with sprinkling and keep the soil moist. In about a week they will root, and then routine management can begin.
2. Cuttings: Cuttings of Sedum acre 'Aureum' are suitable in summer and autumn. In a flat, loose, moist, plowed and harrowed plot, make beds and draw furrows. The furrow spacing can be 10-15 cm. Cut vigorous stems and leaves into small sections about 10 cm long, insert them into the furrows, and fill with soil, burying them about 3-4 cm deep. After leveling the ground, irrigate heavily with flooding. The irrigation must be sufficient. Do this once every 3 days, 2-3 times in total.
3. Division: In spring and summer, cut the stems and leaves of Sedum acre 'Aureum' into small sections 6-7 cm long, scatter them on the ground that has been plowed, harrowed, and leveled, and gently hoe the soil surface with a three-tine hoe so that the stem nodes are half-buried and planted into the soil. Then spray water twice and keep the soil moist. In about a week they will root. The cutting propagation ratio of Sedum acre 'Aureum' is 1:20, meaning that 1 square meter of well-grown plants can be expanded to 20 square meters.
Cultivation methods for Sedum acre 'Aureum'
1. Soil: Sedum acre 'Aureum' is robust by nature and tolerant of poor soil. It can grow normally in various loamy soils, whether clayey or sandy. When potting it, choose a relatively small flowerpot. The potting soil can be made by mixing ordinary garden soil with a small amount of river sand.
2. Temperature: Sedum acre 'Aureum' is slightly cold-tolerant. In cold winter, as long as the temperature is not lower than 10°C, it can grow well. It can be placed in a sunny, wind-sheltered spot, and the potting soil should be kept neither too dry nor too wet to avoid frost damage. By the following spring it can grow vigorously again.
3. Watering: When spring temperatures warm up, Sedum acre 'Aureum' begins to sprout. At this time, watering must be sufficient, and the potting soil should be kept moist. In April-May, the potting soil can be allowed to dry out slightly, because it is a relatively drought-tolerant plant, and too much water is instead detrimental to growth.
4. Fertilizing: During the vigorous growth period of Sedum acre 'Aureum', it is best to apply decomposed manure once a month, so that it can grow better. When it blooms in May-June, it will appear even more lush with branches and leaves, greatly enhancing the ornamental value of Sedum acre 'Aureum'.