What to Do If the Leaves of a Sedum 'Golden Glow' (Graptosedum 'Bronze') Wrinkle? Causes and Treatments
Sedum 'Golden Glow' is a succulent in the Crassulaceae family, a hybrid of Sedum morganianum 'Burrito' and Sedum 'Derbennikovii' (Graptopetalum paraguayense). Because the plant is short and small, after being grown for a period of time it can form a trailing shape, making it very suitable for growing at home. The ornamental value of Sedum 'Golden Glow' lies mainly in its leaves, which are upright and plump and look very lively. But if its leaves suddenly wilt, it not only affects the ornamental value but may also cause the plant to die. Below, Qinong Web will introduce the causes of wrinkled leaves in Sedum 'Golden Glow' and how to deal with them.
Cause 1: Wrinkling During the Acclimation Period
A Sedum 'Golden Glow' that has just entered the acclimation stage, or one that has just been bought and brought home, always needs a certain amount of time to adapt to the new environment. During this time the plant itself will consume the nutrients of the lower leaves to get through this period, so if the leaves of a newly acquired Sedum 'Golden Glow' are found to be wrinkled, it is a very normal phenomenon and there is no need to be too nervous.
Solution
Wrinkled leaves during acclimation can appear under any circumstances, so there is no need to worry. Place it in partial shade and wait for it to slowly recover. It may take as little as a week or as long as half a month. During repotting, try not to water; the roots have not grown well and their water-absorbing ability is very poor.
Cause 2: Lack of Water
If a Sedum 'Golden Glow' that has been grown for some time suddenly develops wrinkled leaves, then you should consider whether it is caused by a lack of water. Especially in summer, when the weather is hot and dry and the temperature is high, the evaporation of water from the leaves is very large, and a lack of water may cause the leaves to wrinkle.
Solution
If the roots have not yet died heroically, then there is still room to save it. When watering normally, pay attention to observation; in summer, once the soil has dried out, replenish water in time. At the same time, while ensuring good ventilation, you can also mist the leaves. But if you have not watered the Sedum 'Golden Glow' for a long time, you must not suddenly water it thoroughly all at once; proceed gradually so the plant has a process of adaptation.
Cause 3: Frostbite
Frostbite of course only happens in winter. If in winter you find signs of shriveling on the plant's leaves, feel whether the ambient temperature is too low, or whether cold wind is blowing toward the plant. The safe overwintering temperature for Sedum 'Golden Glow' in winter must not be lower than 5°C. If the outdoor temperature is too low or there is even rain or snow, the Sedum 'Golden Glow' will suffer frost damage, and in severe cases the leaves will turn black and the whole plant will die.
Solution
If the frostbite is not very serious, simply move it in time to a relatively warm place; keeping the temperature at around 10°C is enough. If the temperature is too high, that is also not good, because the frostbitten parts may rot. After moving it to a relatively warm place, the plant will slowly recover to health.
Cause 4: Root Rot
The vast majority of root rot is caused by overwatering that produces water accumulation. When there is excess water in the soil, oxygen decreases, the plant's roots cannot breathe healthily, and the leaves will also slowly shrivel and wilt.
Solution
After root rot occurs, dig the entire Sedum 'Golden Glow' out of the soil, check the extent of the rot, cut off all the rotted parts, then apply carbendazim powder to disinfect, place it in a cool place to dry, then change to fresh soil and after repotting in a cool place for a week, resume normal care. Unless the roots have all rotted away, it can survive in other cases.
The above is what Qinong Web has compiled for you regarding the causes of root rot in Sedum 'Golden Glow' and the corresponding solutions. The main causes of shriveled leaves in Sedum 'Golden Glow' are the four above. If the Sedum 'Golden Glow' you grow at home also happens to have shriveled and wrinkled leaves, first analyze the specific cause, and then treat it accordingly.