Pachyphytum - Pachyphytum

Pachyphytum: plant description

Pachyphytum flower: photo of the variety

This genus of plants belongs to the Tolstyankov family. The plant contains 10 species, and they all belong to succulents. The homeland of these plants is considered the territory of Mexico. All that these plants have in common are fleshy and juicy thick leaf plates. Their shape and size are sometimes very similar in appearance to a flat grape berry. The color of the leaves is gray with a green tint. There is a pronounced white bloom on the surface. Pachyphytum has its name from the Greek language, which, if translated, means "thick-leaved".

Pachyphytum has a very small size. Its stems are creeping and, as a rule, do not exceed 30 cm in length. The internodes in plants are also small. The leaves grow in a spiral around the stem, and due to the short internodes are very close to each other. Therefore, if you do not look at them very closely, you might think that they are collected in whorls of several pieces.

Peduncles of pachyphytum are long. During the flowering period, they grow from the top of the plant, differ in small inflorescences that are formed in the form of a spikelet. The plant does not bloom profusely. Each flower has five drooping petals and resembles a bell shape. The shade of flowers can be pink or red. Around the flowers are sepals, which are very similar to the leaves of a plant, they are also covered with bloom.

After the flowering period, the fruiting period begins, and pods with some seeds are formed.

Pachyphytum: home care

Pachyphytum: photo of the variety

It is not difficult to grow a plant, therefore, pachyphytum succulent is cultivated by both experienced flower growers and only beginners, since the plant is completely unpretentious.

Lighting

Like any houseplant, pachyphytum loves light, so it should be placed in a lighted, open place, but protected from direct sunlight at noon. The best place for growing pachyphytum will be the western or eastern side of the apartment. The north side will do as well. However, due to a lack of light, the color of the leaves can change, and their size can also decrease. In addition, a lack of light will affect the absence or presence of flowers.

Temperature

The optimum temperature for pachyphytum in summer will be in the range from 20 to 25 degrees. Pachyphytum calmly tolerates the heat, however, provided that this period does not last long. If the temperature exceeds 25 degrees for a long time, then it is necessary to ventilate the room where the pachyphytum is grown, and also create a small shade from the sun. In summer or late spring, it is allowed to take this plant out into the street or on the site.

In winter, the pachyphytum goes into a dormant stage, so cooler conditions must be created for it. In this case, the air temperature should be about 15 degrees. It is unacceptable for the temperature to drop below 10, since the pachyphytum may die.

Despite the fact that the plant is resistant to drought due to its fleshy, juicy, thick leaves, where there is a sufficient amount of water, it is necessary to moisten it regularly and at the same time focus on the condition of the soil in the container. Thus, when the topsoil dries out by about 1/3, then you can only carry out the next watering procedure. In this case, drought will be better for plants than waterlogging, since excessive watering has a negative effect on the flower and can contribute to the formation of rot in the roots and leaves.

Humidity

In addition, pachyphytum does not require an increased level of humidity and tolerates the usual humidity that is in the conditions of the apartment. Experienced flower growers do not recommend spraying pachyphytum, since first of all, you can harm the brittle leaves of the plant, as well as wash off its wax coating. In this regard, the plant bush will lose its decorative appearance.

The soil

The optimal soil should be loose, nutritious, fertile, and also slightly acidic. Ready-made soil mixture, which is sold specifically for cacti and succulents, is perfect. Fine gravel will be added to it, as well as washed river sand. You can make the soil yourself by combining all of the above components.

Feeding

During active growth and development, pachyphytum needs fertilization. This period falls around mid-spring, as well as October. A threefold repetition of fertilization will be enough. It is best to use ready-made preparations and complexes for cacti and succulents, or use those preparations that contain a small amount of nitrogen.

Pachyphytum: reproduction

Pachyphytum: photo of a flower

The most popular breeding method is cuttings. To do this, it is necessary to cut off the top so that its size is about 6 cm or 7 cm. Further, the cut part must be dried for two days, and then placed immediately into the prepared soil, deepening only the cut point. For greater stability of the cutting, you can organize a small support. Then the cuttings are treated as usual, as for an adult plant. First of all, it must be properly watered and the moisture level of the soil must be controlled so that the earth does not dry out, and there is not too much moisture. It is best to use a sprayer or sprayer for watering. Unlike other plants, no caps or bags are built on top of the cutting for the cutting, since the humidity level will be too high, and this harms the given plant. Leafy cuttings are rooted in the same way.

Diseases and insect pests

As a rule, the pachyphytum flower has a high immunity to various common diseases and also to insects. If the necessary care is not followed, namely, if the plant is watered too often, this will lead to the formation of rot. Rot can occur in the roots, leaves and stems, so do not keep pachyphytum in a too humid room, and also water it often.

Pachyphytum: types and photos

• Pachyphytum is oviparous. The second name of the plant is "moonstone". This type is in great demand among florists. Its stems can grow up to 20 cm, and the diameter of the stems can be 1 cm. From below, the stem of the pachyphytum Moonstone is usually bare, and small scars are visible on it after the lower leaves fall off. The leaf plates have a bluish tint even closer to blue, as well as a slight pink tint. The length of the leaf blades here does not exceed 5 cm, the width of the leaves is about 3 cm. The thickness of one leaf blade is slightly more than a centimeter. The flowering period is from mid-summer to early autumn. At the same time, a peduncle of oviparous pachyphytum grows, equal to 20 cm in length, on which light green flowers are formed with pink dots on them in the form of an ear. Flowers bloom very slowly and unevenly. The lower flowers bloom first, and then the upper ones. The color of the sepals in the oviparous pachyphytum is blue.

Pachyphytum egg-bearing: photo of a flower

Pachyphytum bracts. This plant is also loved by flower growers. The length of the stems here is more than 30 cm, and the diameter is about 2 cm. The leaves are the same fleshy, dense, juicy, but the shape here is somewhat different - they are elongated and flatter. The leaves of the bracts pachyphytum grow at the top of the stem, as the adult leaves fall off, exposing the lower part.The length of the leaf blade is 10 cm, they are about 5 cm across. The thickness of each leaf blade is about 1 cm. The shade of the leaves is silvery, closer to white. The wax bloom is very pronounced here and has a pink tint, if bright sunlight falls on the bracts pachyphytum. The flowering period can be observed here from late summer to late autumn. At first, a 40 centimeter peduncle grows, which then forms red leaves.

Pachyphytum bracts: photo of a flower

• The pachyphytum is compact. According to the name, this plant is not large in size and looks very beautiful from all sides. Thus, the stems of compact pachyphytum do not exceed 10 cm. The leaves are egg-shaped and slightly pointed towards the ends. The length of the leaves is also small - no more than 4 cm, and the width does not exceed 1 cm. The leaves have a bright dark saturated color and are also characterized by a gray waxy bloom, which is located here in the form of streaks. Outwardly, the pattern resembles marble, and the leaves themselves are very similar to rather large buds. The stalk of the compact pachyphytum is not exposed, the leaves are distributed evenly over the entire surface of the shoot. The only exceptions are very mature plants. The flowering period is in the spring. Here peduncles are formed, reaching a large size in diameter. Their length is 40 cm. Then flowers bloom, which have a bright orange color and can be formed in an amount of up to 10 pieces. The tips of the leaves are blue. The sepals of the compact pachyphytum are pink or green in color. Also, this type of plant is characterized by the fact that old leaves may turn red at the ends.

Pachyphytum compact: photo of the species

Conclusion

Pachyphytum is an unusual plant that has thick, fleshy and succulent leaves with a waxy coating. This plant is unpretentious and can be grown even by novice growers.