Turtle Back Plant Cultivation and Maintenance Methods
An article on green plant knowledge, introducing the relevant content of the succulent plant Turtle Back Plant, including its cultivation and maintenance methods. Let's take a look together.
Turtle Back Plant from South Africa is a very unique succulent plant, with its most distinctive feature being the huge, cork-like caudex, which can exceed 1 meter in diameter in its native habitat, resembling an elephant's foot (its common name in the West). It may look lifeless, but its caudex is 100% alive. A Turtle Back Plant with a caudex diameter of 50 cm may be 75 years old or older. Each year, a stem蔓 emerges from the caudex, with heart-shaped leaves and yellow flowers. The swollen caudex contains a large amount of saponins, which the Hottentots used to eat as food during times of famine.
Cultivation is relatively easy, preferably in a greenhouse, but a windowsill with appropriate shading is also ideal, as long as the minimum temperature does not drop below 18°C. The stems may sprout and wither multiple times within a year, depending on the specific plant and the local climate.
After Turtle Back Plant is moved to a new growing environment, it needs a few months to adapt to its new home. As long as some basic requirements are followed, it is still an easy plant to care for. During transport or mailing, if the potting soil is included, it should be kept dry, so after receiving a new potted plant, it should be watered thoroughly. The ideal temperature should be kept above 15°C, whether it is kept outdoors or indoors. A short drop in temperature to 13°C for a few days is not a problem, but prolonged low temperatures will cause the plant to decline. Do not let the potting soil completely dry out, as the roots will die. Even during the dormant period, when no new stems are produced, the potting soil should not be completely dry. Once new stems start to grow, the watering should be gradually increased.
Turtle Back Plant prefers a light fertilization during the growing period and cannot tolerate strong fertilizers. For example, liquid fertilizers should be diluted to 50% or less, and fertilizing should be maintained at intervals of a few weeks. No one can predict when the silent large plant will sprout new stems; it may produce new branches every year or stay dormant for a long time. Repotting: If the new Turtle Back Plant comes in a pot, it is best not to repot it within the first year. If repotting is necessary, use good quality general-purpose flower soil, and add some perlite to improve drainage. If using peat or bark soil, 20-25% perlite should be added. If you use pure peat soil to cultivate Turtle Back Plant, the caudex is more likely to rot. The caudex grows faster if it is buried partially or completely in the soil, although you may prefer to expose it to admire its cracked beauty. The caudex usually starts to crack when its diameter reaches about 4 cm. Dormancy: When the leaves start to turn yellow, it is a sign that the plant is ready to rest. There may be no regular pattern or reason for dormancy, which can vary even among plants in the same pot, so you need to pay attention and keep records.
Seeds are the only method of reproduction for Turtle Back Plant. The seedlings' caudex grows underground, and keeping it below the soil in the first few years can make the caudex grow faster. They prefer moderate shading, and the caudex must be shaded. Turtle Back Plant is a favorite of collectors but is relatively easy to cultivate. It can accompany you for many years and is a popular topic of discussion among enthusiasts. Turtle Back Plant does not root deeply, so it is best planted in a shallow pot. I use a convex terra cotta pot, with a diameter 1 inch larger than the caudex. The potting soil must be loose, breathable, and have good drainage, as they are from tropical deserts. The potting soil should be 1/4" to 1/2" higher than the lower edge of the caudex.
When watering, be careful not to get water on the growing point. Place it in a warm environment and wait for the first stem to appear before watering normally. You can water with a diluted liquid fertilizer (four times weaker) each time. Do not keep it in a constantly moist environment like other tropical plants; let the pot almost dry out before watering each time. This plant has a natural dormancy period, but based on my experience, it may start dormancy at any time. Reduce watering and stop fertilizing when the stems and leaves start to turn yellow and wither. Stop watering when the stems die, move it to a cool place for a few weeks, and then move it to a sunny place to wait for new stems to sprout.
Note: Some books say they are "winter" type plants because their native habitat is in the Southern Hemisphere. Based on my experience, they are opportunistic growers, and I have grown them in any season. Some plants may dormancy for a few weeks, others for a few months, but it's best to follow its nature; you cannot force it to grow, and excessive watering will only cause rot.
The above is [] about the green plant cultivation and maintenance methods of Turtle Back Plant, hoping to bring you some help in your life!