The cultivation method of Tengoku no Mai (Celestial Dog Dance)
A comprehensive introduction to the succulent plant Tengoku no Mai, its cultivation method. Please refer to the detailed introduction below.
Tengoku no Mai is a perennial succulent herbaceous plant with clustering growth, small branches, and fleshy stems. Over time, the stems will gradually become semi-woody. The leaves of Tengoku no Mai are somewhat thin, green in color, with brown-red edges. The red-brown color is especially prominent in late autumn and early spring when the temperature difference is significant. The leaves are alternate, without petioles, and the bases are connected. New leaves overlap from top to bottom, while mature leaves have some spacing between them. The flowers are white and bloom from April to May.
Tengoku no Mai is native to Mexico, requiring abundant sunlight, a cool and dry environment, tolerant of semi-shade, but afraid of waterlogging and dislikes humid heat. It has the habit of growing in cool seasons and resting during the hot summer. The growing period of the plant is from September to the following June (the growing period varies depending on the environment of the plant enthusiasts). Insufficient sunlight will cause the plant to stretch, with the distance between leaves lengthening, making the plant loose and the stems very fragile. The red-brown edges of the leaves will also fade and turn green. Plants growing in sufficient sunlight will be short and sturdy, with紧凑 (tight) stem spacing. The Tengoku no Mai I have is kept in a sunroom with full sunlight.
During the growing period, keep the soil moist but avoid waterlogging. The soil I use for Tengoku no Mai is a mix of coal slag, peat, and a small amount of perlite, with a ratio of about 5:4:1, with small stones laid on the surface. Tengoku no Mai can tolerate temperatures as low as -2°C indoors, not outdoors. If it gets lower, the growing tips of the leaves will freeze and dry out, dying, and new lateral branches will sprout from the withered areas the following year. Watering is basically stopped during the entire winter, and it should be gradually reduced below 5 degrees. During the hot summer, the whole plant grows slowly or stops completely. At this time, it should be well-ventilated, with appropriate shading to avoid direct sunlight, and water should be rationed, avoiding long periods of rain to prevent rotting. Tengoku no Mai needs to be pruned regularly during cultivation to remove tangled branches and maintain a beautiful shape. It is one of the faster-growing species of Sedum.
The繁殖 (propagation) of Tengoku no Mai usually involves cutting the top, taking healthy branches with growing points, cutting them into sections about 3 to 5 centimeters high, drying the cut wounds, and then inserting them into the soil. They can also be directly inserted into dry granular soil. After a few days, a small amount of water is given, making it a very easy-to-propagate species. Many small roots can easily grow between the leaves. When they encounter suitable soil, they will firmly root themselves. One advantage of top-cutting propagation is that it allows the mother plant to achieve a better shape. Enthusiastic gardeners can try this method. After cutting, new growing points will sprout, sometimes two branches.
The above is a detailed explanation of the cultivation method of Tengoku no Mai, for reference and suggestions only!