Tacitus (graptopetalum bellum, or so it says on the label!)

Dscf2074
Shirleypoppy
Shirleypoppy

Tacitus (graptopetalum bellum, or so it says on the label!)

Asked on 7 Oct, 2008

This question is on Graptopetalum bellum

I bought the original plant a couple of years ago in flower (lovely little starry flowers). I think I probably over-watered it to start off, because it rotted a bit, but then each leaf started to make a plantlet. These were planted up in half and half compost and sand, and have all thrived, including what remained of the original! Can I do anything to encourage them to flower, and what sort of compost shall I pot up the babies in, so not to repeat my experience with the parent plant?

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JudiRumble
Judirumble

7 Oct, 2008

 

Looks an interesting plant. I would water by standing it in a tray and bottom water (let them suck up what they want). I would let them get quite dry before you water as well. I'm a culprit for over watering too esp with house plants.

Gritty compost I would think for the babies. Maybe get a cactus compost.

Don't get water on the rosettes.

They look nice healthy plants.

Owdboggy
Owdboggy

7 Oct, 2008

 

They are related to Sedums and Crassula. They need a very well drained soil. You can even grow them in straight 5mm grit if you feed them with dilute Baby Bio at every watering. (A good idea for anyone who over waters. Grow the plants in gravel and water with warmed dilute feed as often as you feel like!) Otherwise as suggested a very gritty compost. Do not use a peat based one though, Vine weevils love these plants and that compost. Try 1/3 sharp sand and 5mm grit, 1/3 composted bark and 1/3 sterile top soil.

Shirleypoppy
Shirleypoppy

10 Oct, 2008

 

Thanks for that, Judirumble and Owdboggy. Looks like they need my normal regime, which is to ignore them until they wilt! Vine weevils should not be a problem, as I don't used peat based compost, and they haven't been allowed out of the house yet. (I sincerely hope there are no vine weevils on my bedroom window sill!) Feeding frequently with dilute feed - will that get them to flower, or just give me nice healthy leaves?

Owdboggy
Owdboggy

10 Oct, 2008

 

I would only feed them if I grew them in pure grit, otherwise they usually do not need it. Flowering is stimulated by sunlight, so give them some time outside in Summer when there is no danger of frost.

Shirleypoppy
Shirleypoppy

13 Oct, 2008

 

Aha! That's it! Through the glass probably not giving them enough sun - out they go, next summer. Thanks again.

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