How to grow a Bear's Paw succulent? Detailed growing methods and precautions
The Bear's Paw succulent gets its name because its plant shape resembles a bear's paw. It is a plant that looks very endearing and has relatively high ornamental value and the effect of beautifying a room. In the process of growing the Bear's Paw succulent, it is necessary to avoid harm to the plant such as water accumulation in the pot and direct strong light.
I. Morphological characteristics of the Bear's Paw succulent
The Bear's Paw succulent is a perennial succulent herbaceous plant. The plant is much branched and has a small shrub-like form. The stem is dark brown. The thick fleshy leaves are opposite and decussate, and the leaf blades are ovate, 2 cm to 3 cm long and 1 cm to 1.5 cm wide, with notches at the leaf margin at the top. The leaf surface is green and densely covered with short white hairs. The leaves of the Bear's Paw succulent are fleshy and spoon-shaped, densely covered with white down, entire at the lower part, and the leaf tip has brown teeth.
II. Growing methods for the Bear's Paw succulent
Propagation: The Bear's Paw succulent is generally propagated by cuttings. Take branches with short stem nodes and thick leaves, let the cut surface dry slightly, then insert them into a sand bed. They will root in 20 days, and can be transplanted in one month.
Soil: It is best to use sandy soil with good drainage, and medium fertility is sufficient. It can be mixed and prepared with coarse sand, garden soil, and leaf mold in a 1:1 ratio.
Watering: The Bear's Paw succulent should be watered thoroughly in summer. If it is a sunny day, water once in the morning and once in the evening. In winter, if there is insufficient sunlight, the potting soil should not be too wet.
Light: Shade is needed during high temperatures in summer, but if it is too shaded, the stems and leaves become weak and the down lacks luster. Except in summer, maintain light in the other seasons.
Temperature: In summer, as long as the temperature is not higher than 30°C, it is fine. Below this temperature it can grow vigorously. When the summer temperature exceeds 30°C, the plant's growth basically stagnates... In winter, when it is too cold, it should be kept indoors, and it is enough to ensure the room temperature is not lower than 5°C.
Fertilization: Apply a dilute liquid fertilizer once a month.
Repotting: Every one to two years, it should be repotted, preferably in spring.
Disease and pest control: The Bear's Paw succulent is harmed by wilt disease and leaf spot disease, which can be sprayed with 50% captan 800 times dilution. The pests include scale insects and whiteflies, which can be killed by spraying with 40% omethoate emulsifiable concentrate 1000 times dilution.
III. Precautions for growing the Bear's Paw succulent
1. General succulents mostly use leaf cuttings, but the Bear's Paw succulent is slightly different. Although leaf cuttings of the Bear's Paw succulent will root, it is very difficult for them to grow shoots, so this method is mostly not used. Cuttings of the Bear's Paw succulent are best taken in spring and autumn.
2. Watering the Bear's Paw succulent requires good control of the degree, and it must not be too dry or too wet. Spring and autumn are its most vigorous growing seasons. The soil should be watered after it dries completely, and when watering, water thoroughly. If the potting soil is wet for a long time, the leaves will rot, and if it is too dry, they will shrivel. If too much water is given, the container can be tilted slightly to pour the water out. The Bear's Paw succulent does not have a high demand for fertilizer. Use fertile, loose sandy loam as the potting soil, and apply little or no fertilizer.
3. After leaves drop during the dormant period, immediately reduce the watering frequency, let the soil dry completely, and then water an appropriate amount, so that it can safely pass through the dormant period. If leaves drop during the growing period, reducing watering can also be used to deal with it, but it is relatively difficult. Measures such as repotting and lowering the temperature, ventilation, and increasing air permeability can be taken.
4. If the environment is very ventilated, spraying water on the plant can wash off dust and make the leaves clean, but do not let water remain in the center of the leaves, otherwise the center will rot. Otherwise, if water droplets remain in the down on the leaves, they will form unsightly water spots and affect the ornamental appearance.
The Bear's Paw succulent looks just like a little bear's paw pad, very cute. The Bear's Paw succulent has an elegant form and is unique and beautiful. It can be used as a small indoor potted plant, giving people a feeling that is both delicate and lively. In addition, similar excellent species in the same genus as the Bear's Paw succulent include Silver Wave, Revolving, Dawn's Light, and Funicle.