Pachyphytum (Pachyphytum) is a compact refined plant, which is a leafy succulent and belongs to the jumbo family. Pachyphytum is native to the stony arid regions of the southern part of the North American continent. Translated from Latin, the name of the plant means “thick leaf.
Pachyphytum is a perennial succulent. It has a shortened stem and obovate fleshy leaves that are grayish-white or green in color under a wax-like bloom and form a rosette. During flowering, the plant produces a long peduncle of a red or white hue.
Pachyphytum care at home
Lighting
Pachyphytum loves bright scattered rays, but feels good in direct sunlight. In winter, additional lighting is required.
Temperature
In summer, the optimal temperature regime for pachyphytum should be 20-24 degrees, in winter - 11-14 degrees.
Air humidity
It is not necessary to additionally humidify the air around the plant, because being born in an arid climate, pachyphytum tolerates dryness well.
Watering
In summer, pachyphytum should be watered regularly, but you should not be too zealous. In winter, the amount of watering is reduced to a minimum.
The soil
When preparing a substrate for a flower, they use turf soil, sand, peat, humus - each component is taken equally. If you do not want to tinker with the soil yourself, it would be optimal to buy a ready-made mixture for succulents.
Top dressing and fertilizers
Pachyphytum is fertilized only in summer, using mineral compositions for cacti, with a frequency of twice a month.
Transfer
Pachyphytum should be replanted every two years, preferably in spring. Be sure to put a drainage layer on the bottom of the pot.
Reproduction of pachyphytum
It is necessary to propagate pachyphytum in the spring-summer season. To do this, take leaf cuttings or side shoots, seeds are rarely used.
The plant takes root with great difficulty. It is advisable to dry the cuttings for a week before planting. The fact is that thick, juicy leaves, containing a lot of water, can rot, therefore the cuts require long drying and scarring of the wound. The stalk is buried in the soil only with its tip, strengthening it vertically with a support. They try not to overmoisten the substrate, but also to prevent drying out.
Diseases and pests
Pachyphytum is practically not affected by pests and is resistant to various diseases.
Popular types of pachyphytum
Pachyphytum bracts - perennial, has an erect stem up to 2 centimeters in diameter with clearly defined leaf scars. It can reach thirty centimeters in height. Leaves are either obovate or spatulate, collected in a rosette at the top of the stem, up to 10 centimeters in length, up to 5 in width and up to 1 centimeter thick. They have a strong waxy coating. The flowers are red.
Pachyphytum compact - bushy succulent. The stems are low - up to 10 centimeters - and fleshy. The leaves are attractive with a marbled pattern formed by a whitish bloom.The length of the leaves is 2-3 centimeters, cylindrical, with a sharp tip and pronounced edges. They can be greenish or gray and white in color. In spring, forms a curl inflorescence with three to ten inclined flowers up to one centimeter long. Corolla - bell-shaped, it is formed by orange-red petals with pronounced bluish tips.
Pachyphytum oviparous - small (up to 15 cm) bushy succulent. The stem is erect, fleshy. The leaves are obovate, gray-blue with a pink tint, covered with a waxy bloom, up to 4 in length, up to 2-3 centimeters in width, collected at the top of the stem. It blooms with greenish-white flowers with pink blotches, drooping and covered with bluish-white sepals.
