Cultivation and Maintenance Methods for Kalachone Rhombopilosa of Crassula Family
The editor answers questions about the succulent plant Kalachone Rhombopilosa, the cultivation and maintenance methods of Kalachone Rhombopilosa. Let's follow the editor to take a look!
Kalachone Rhombopilosa, a perennial succulent plant of the伽蓝菜属 (Gamanthus) in the Crassula family, is native to Madagascar. Its leaves resemble the tail feathers of a sparrow, hence the name.
I. Basic Morphology
Kalachone Rhombopilosa is a perennial succulent plant with a shrub-like appearance, usually branching at the base, with cylindrical, erect stems. The succulent leaves are opposite and sessile, with obovate leaves, irregular wavy teeth on the edges, about 10 cm long, blue-gray to gray-green, covered with a thin layer of white powder, and with red-brown to purple-brown spots or blushing. The plant as a whole appears whitish with a light green hue, giving a fresh and peaceful feeling. The flowers are white, but rarely seen in cultivation. It is often cultivated as an ornamental foliage plant.
II. Cultivation Management
It prefers a warm, dry environment with plenty of sunlight, is not cold-tolerant, dislikes waterlogging, is drought-tolerant and semi-shaded, and excessive sunlight or excessive shading is detrimental to the plant's growth. Insufficient light during cultivation can cause the stems and leaves to elongate, resulting in a loose plant shape, dull leaf color, disappearance of the white powder, fading of the spot color, lack of vitality in the plant, and seriously affecting its ornamental value. Strong sunlight in the summer can cause the leaf tips to wither. Therefore, except for proper shading during the high summer temperatures, sufficient sunlight should be provided in other seasons to ensure the plant has thick leaves, distinct white powder, and clear purple-brown spots, making it very beautiful.
In the high summer temperatures, as the plant grows slowly, ventilation should be strengthened to prevent the base stems and leaves from turning yellow and rotting due to excessive soil moisture. In winter, place the plant in a sunny indoor area, with night temperatures not below 12°C and day temperatures above 18°C, and water normally to allow the plant to continue growing; if it is not possible to maintain such high temperatures, reduce watering to allow the plant to enter dormancy, which can also tolerate temperatures as low as 5°C.
The potting soil should be loose and fertile, with good drainage and water retention properties, such as sandy soil. Use 2 parts of decomposed leaf mold, 1 part of garden soil, 2 parts of coarse sand or vermiculite, and a small amount of decomposed bone meal mixed well. Place newly planted plants in a bright area without direct sunlight, and do not water too much. Normal maintenance can be carried out after the plant recovers its growth.
III. Propagation Methods
Propagation is done by cutting, with the highest survival rate in spring and autumn. It can also be done in winter if the temperature does not drop below 18°C. Cut healthy, mature top branches, each about 5-8 cm long, let the cut ends dry, then insert them into sandy soil, keeping the soil slightly moist, and roots will form in about 10 days. For mass propagation, use leaf cuttings with mature and full leaves, place them flat or obliquely in sandy soil without watering; frequently spray to keep moist, and roots will form in about 2 weeks. When adventitious buds form at the base of the leaves and young plants are formed, they can be transplanted.
The above is a method introduction about the cultivation and maintenance methods of Kalachone Rhombopilosa for reference.