Cultivation and Management of Bear's Paw
Today, the editor will elaborate on some small knowledge about the succulent plant Bear's Paw, its cultivation and management. Next, the site editor will introduce it to the netizens.
Bear's Paw's scientific name is Cotyledon ladismithiensis, belonging to the Crassula family, and it is native to Namibia in Africa. The plant height is about 10~15 cm, a small succulent plant; the stems are erect and branched; the leaves are opposite, fleshy, emerald green, oblong, covered with white villi, with a reddish-brown protrusion at the tip, resembling the cute little bear's paw with newborn villi, hence the Japanese name "Bear's Paw"; the flowers are pinkish-orange, bell-shaped, and bloom at the top of the flower stem.
Bear's Paw prefers warm and dry conditions with sufficient light. The soil should be well-draining sandy soil, and organic compost can be used as the growing medium, mixed with pearl stone, vermiculite, or fine sand. The growth temperature is about 18~25°C, somewhat cold-resistant, with the lowest temperature possibly reaching about 5°C. However, it is necessary to reduce water supply in low temperatures to avoid frostbite and it is best to move it to a bright indoor area for wintering. It does not tolerate high temperatures, and the high summer temperatures can cause the leaf tips not to change color and easily fall off. It needs to be placed in a ventilated and cool place with proper shading to avoid direct sunlight causing sunburn. However, too much shade will cause the stems and leaves to grow excessively, and the villi to lose their luster, which also needs attention. The control of water is particularly important to avoid over-wet leaves rotting or over-dry leaves wrinkling and falling off.
During the growing period, a small amount of fertilizer can be applied, using a flowering plant liquid fertilizer as water, but attention must be paid to the control of concentration. Potting can be done during the growing period, but its growth is relatively slow and does not require frequent repotting. When repotting, the old soil can be directly transferred to the new potting soil without the need to remove it all. After waiting for 3~4 days, it can be watered thoroughly. After 2~3 days, you can check the moisture of the soil with your finger before watering.
Bear's Paw can be propagated by stem cutting and leaf cutting methods. During the growing period, choose full and robust stem segments (with the top bud being the best) and leafy cuttings, and let the cut surface dry slightly before inserting it into the medium. Keep it moist, and depending on the temperature, it will take about 30~50 days to root, but leaf cuttings will take a bit longer than bud cuttings. Once many roots have grown, it can be transplanted to a pot.
Bear's Paw has a very interesting and cute shape. Planting it alone in a simply designed pot or adding some decorative accessories and combining it with other Crassula plants, such as "Moon Rabbit Ear," can create a very stylish and fun composite pot. I believe it can decorate your room to look as可爱 as a fairy tale world.
The above is an introduction to the methods of cultivating and managing Bear's Paw, which can be used as a reference suggestion.