Reasons for Bear's Paw Losing Leaves and Solutions

Bear's Paw (Cotyledon tomentosa) is a succulent plant of the genus Cotyledon in the Crassulaceae family. It has a small plant shape, with many branches, delicate and elegant, graceful in form, unique and beautiful, and can be grown as a small indoor potted plant. The green leaves are densely covered with white fuzz, much like a bear's paw. It can be planted in a small craft pot to decorate a desk, windowsill, and other places, and can also be cultivated for variety collection. Let's take a look below at what to do when Bear's Paw loses leaves!

Why Does Bear's Paw Lose Leaves?

1. Bear's Paw losing leaves and rotting leaves is probably due to too much watering. The growing season of Bear's Paw should be from mid-autumn to mid-spring. At this time, the leaves of Bear's Paw are thick and plump, but when it enters the dormant period, the leaves of Bear's Paw will shrink and drop, which is a normal phenomenon.

2. There is another situation for Bear's Paw losing leaves: because Bear's Paw is a winter-growing type that goes dormant in summer, it cannot tolerate high temperature and high humidity. In addition, some flower lovers water without restraint and without considering the consequences, which leads to leaf drop and root rot.

What to Do When Bear's Paw Loses Leaves?

1. When Bear's Paw loses leaves, if the flower lover has not watered without restraint and the care method is normal, then at this time you should water less, and just water when the soil is dry. As long as it does not die, it will return to its original state after passing through the dormant period.

2. If leaf drop is caused by excessive watering, then be careful, because Bear's Paw is in a dormant period in summer and is difficult to recover. Facing the high temperature and high humidity of summer, flower lovers can reduce watering and increase ventilation to reduce the hot and humid conditions. It is recommended to use a medium with good air permeability and water permeability.

How Should Bear's Paw Be Grown to Do Well?

1. Temperature: After moving Bear's Paw into a new pot, you should always pay attention to keeping its growing environment dry and ensure sufficient sunlight. However, note that the growing temperature for Bear's Paw should not exceed 35°C, because at this time the plant's growth will be in a paused state.

2. Light: During the growing period, Bear's Paw needs full sunlight. If there is sufficient sunlight, the leaves will become thick and plump. If it is too dark, the stems and leaves will become slender and weak. Under high summer temperatures, provide appropriate shading, but if it is too shaded, the stems and leaves will be weak and the fuzz will lack luster. It is not cold-tolerant. Move it indoors for care in winter, and place it by a window with ample sunlight.

3. Watering: Bear's Paw prefers dry soil. If the surrounding environment is relatively humid, then the frequency of watering should be reduced to prevent excessive moisture at the roots from causing root rot. When watering Bear's Paw, note that you should water a little less each time. Watering twice a month is enough. Try to control the watering time to around seven o'clock in the evening each day.

4. Repotting: As Bear's Paw grows, a small pot can no longer meet its growth needs. Generally, it should be repotted once every one to two years, and it is best to do so during the growing season in spring. Before repotting, prepare new soil in the new pot. The new soil should have medium fertility, and the soil texture should have good drainage. Coarse sand, vermiculite, garden soil, leaf mold, and so on can be mixed evenly. Because Bear's Paw is drought-tolerant and not tolerant of waterlogging, only a small amount of water is needed at the beginning of repotting.

5. Diseases and pests: Wilt disease and leaf spot disease are two common conditions of Bear's Paw. Wilt disease can cause the leaves of Bear's Paw to turn yellow and wither, and in severe cases it can lead to death. Leaf spot disease can cause various irregular spots on the leaves of Bear's Paw, which will affect its ornamental value. To prevent and control these two diseases, 50 grams of captan can be diluted 800 times and sprayed on the surface of the plant. The pests of Bear's Paw include scale insects and whiteflies. 40% omethoate emulsifiable concentrate can be diluted 1000 times and sprayed on the surface of the plant.