Jade Dew knowledge, maintenance, summering, propagation and sowing
The editor will introduce the knowledge about the succulent plant Jade Dew, including its maintenance, summering, propagation and sowing. Detailed content will be shared next.
Jade Dew (Haworthia obtuse var.pilifera) is a perennial succulent herbaceous plant of the Lily family and the Haworthia genus. The plant initially grows singly and later forms a clumping habit. The succulent leaves are arranged in a rosette shape, with the leaves being fleshy and convex on both sides, green in color, and translucent or semi-translucent at the tips, known as the "window." There are dark longitudinal lines on the surface and tiny "whiskers" at the tip. The loose paniculate inflorescence has small white flowers with green longitudinal stripes.
There are many varieties and horticultural forms of Jade Dew, including large Jade Dew,姬 Jade Dew, obtuse-leaf Jade Dew, white-spotted Jade Dew, hairy Jade Dew, imperial Jade Dew, flat-leaf Jade Dew, ice lantern Jade Dew, and variegated Jade Dew. In addition, there are hybrid varieties such as "Jade Dew and Zhi," "Jade Dew Zhi Variegated," "Jade Dew and Wanshang," and "Jinggu Jade Dew."
It should be noted that the naming of Jade Dew in China is quite chaotic, and some varieties are not actually "Jade Dew," but are included in the "Jade Dew" series due to their similar appearance. For example, Crystal Palace (Haworthia cymbiformis v.obtusa), commonly known as leather Jade Dew or Jade Dew peony, is actually a type of "precious herb," with thicker, grass-green, and bright leaves, but the transparency of the "window" at the leaf tip is not very clear and has obvious leaf vein patterns.
Maintenance Guide
Jade Dew is native to South Africa and prefers a cool, semi-shaded environment. Its main growing period is in spring and autumn, making it an "intermediate" variety among succulents. It is drought-tolerant, not cold-tolerant, and dislikes high humidity, intense sunlight, and direct exposure to the sun. It also dislikes shade and soil waterlogging. During the growing period, it should be provided with ample light. Too much shade can cause the plant to become loose and uncompact, with long, thin leaves and poor transparency of the "window."
If exposed to too much sunlight, the leaves may grow poorly and appear light reddish-brown, and intense direct sunlight can burn the leaves, leaving unsightly scars. Plants grown in semi-shade have thick, full leaves with high transparency. Watering during the growing period should follow the principle of "not watering until dry, and watering thoroughly when watering," avoiding waterlogging and especially avoiding prolonged rain to prevent root rot. However, it is also not advisable to let the soil dry out for too long, as although the plant will not die, the leaves will become shriveled, the color will fade, and the plant will lack vitality.
Jade Dew enjoys an environment with some air humidity. When the air is dry, water can be frequently sprayed on the plant and its surroundings to increase air humidity. During the growing season, the top half of a transparent, colorless beverage bottle can be cut off and placed over the plant to create a humid micro-environment for growth, which can make the leaves plump and the "window" more transparent. However, during the high-temperature summer season, the beverage bottle must be removed to prevent the plant from dying due to heat and humidity.
During the growing period, apply a thin solution of decomposed liquid fertilizer or a low-nitrogen, high-phosphorus and potassium compound fertilizer once a month for vigorous plants. New plants or those with weak growth do not need to be fertilized. No fertilization is necessary during the dormancy periods of high summer temperatures or low winter temperatures. Fertilizing should be done on sunny mornings or evenings.
Summering
During high summer temperatures, the plant may enter a dormant or semi-dormant state with slow or completely stopped growth. It should be placed in a ventilated, cool, and dry location to prevent it from being "steamed" to death by heat and humidity, and avoid direct sunlight and excessive watering. Fertilizing should be stopped, and normal management can be resumed when it cools down in autumn.
In winter, if the lowest nighttime temperature is around 8°C and the daytime temperature is above 15°C, the plant can continue to grow and should be watered normally. If watering is reduced to make the plant dormant, it can withstand low temperatures of 3°C to 5°C, and even short periods of 0°C. If exposed to low temperatures below 5°C for a long time, the plant will not die, but frostbite marks will appear on the leaves.
Therefore, it is best to maintain the wintering temperature of Jade Dew above 5°C.
Since the roots of Jade Dew secrete acidic substances, causing soil acidification and root aging, it is advisable to repot the plant once a year in spring or autumn. If the plant's growth stops and the leaves become shriveled during the growing period, the roots may be damaged and should be promptly repotted and the roots tidied up. Remove the old, hollow roots, trim the long roots, retain the robust white new roots, and then replant using new potting soil.
New plants can be frequently sprayed with water but should be watered sparingly to promote rapid growth. The soil should be loose and fertile, well-draining and ventilated, contain lime, and have coarse particles. A mixture of 2 parts of deciduous leaf soil and 3 parts of coarse sand or vermiculite is commonly used, with a small amount of bone meal or other lime materials mixed in.
For high-end varieties like Jade Dew Zhi Variegated and Hairy Jade Dew, artificial materials such as red jade soil, orchid stone, planting stone, and Samo soil can be used, but an appropriate amount of peat or potting soil should be added to increase the organic matter content of the soil.
The flowers of Jade Dew have low ornamental value, and if seeds are not to be collected, the flower stalk can be pulled out from the base to avoid consuming too much nutrients and affecting the normal growth of the plant. It is important to pull out the flower stalk by hand, not cut it with scissors, to avoid leaving residual flower stems between the leaves, which could negatively affect the growth of new leaves.
Propagation Methods
Jade Dew can be propagated by dividing the plant during repotting or by digging up young plants next to the mother plant during the growing season. Both rooted and rootless plants can survive, with rooted plants being planted directly and rootless seedlings left to dry for 1 to 2 days before planting. New plants should not be watered too much to avoid rotting, and normal management can resume after new roots have grown.
Healthy, robust succulent leaves can also be selected for leaf insertion during the growing season. Keeping the potting soil slightly moist after insertion will easily result in root formation and the growth of small buds. Once the buds are slightly larger, they can be planted separately.
Sowing
Sowing is also a method of propagating Jade Dew, but it requires artificial pollination. Seeds can be sown immediately after collection. The sowing soil can be a mixture of 3 parts vermiculite and 2 parts deciduous leaf soil or peat. It is best to sterilize the soil with high heat before sowing to eliminate bacteria and eggs. After sowing, cover with a glass plate, and seedlings should emerge in about 20 days.
Remove the glass plate after seedlings emerge, ensure ventilation, and avoid overly dry soil. When seedlings become too crowded, thinning and transplanting should be considered. Among the seedlings, some may show variations. Compact plants with thick succulent leaves, high transparency of the "window," and prominent vein patterns can be selected as seedlings for preservation. If seedlings with unusual leaf colors are found, they should also be selected, as they might grow into precious variegated plants.
The above is a reference guide on Jade Dew knowledge, maintenance, summering, propagation, and sowing.