The Maintenance of Qun Bi Yu
Let me tell you about the content concerning the succulent plant Qun Bi Yu, its maintenance. If there are any mistakes, please feel free to correct them!
Qun Bi Yu is a small and delicate succulent plant, belonging to the genus Aloinopsis in the family Aizoaceae. The plant grows in clusters, featuring extremely fleshy opposite leaves that are green in color, without patterns, flat on top with a shallow slit in the center. In autumn, purple-red flowers bloom from the shallow slit, with a single flower lasting 5 to 7 days.
Native to South Africa, Qun Bi Yu goes through a cycle of blooming, new spherical leaves developing, new leaves growing full, dormancy, shedding, and then blooming again, from autumn onwards. In the summer heat, the plant enters a dormant state, growth stops, and the opposite spherical leaves shrink, leaving only a dry skin wrapping around the new leaves. When it cools in autumn, the new leaves continue to grow, the old leaves reveal the "new plant," and then it blooms, starting to grow again. By the end of spring and beginning of summer, the old leaves start to thin, new leaves gradually form inside the old leaves, grow full, and the old leaves become thinner and shrink. Under good growing conditions, the plant grows vigorously and can become 2 to 4 plants after shedding, thus older plants often grow in clusters. Qun Bi Yu prefers a cool and dry environment with plenty of sunshine, is intolerant of cold, and is more afraid of extreme heat, waterlogging, but can tolerate drought.
During the summer high-temperature dormant period, it should be kept in a well-ventilated and cool place, avoiding direct sunlight and rain. Only water a small amount when the soil is excessively dry, or even stop watering completely to prevent rot.
When it cools in autumn, the plant starts growing and blooms beautiful flowers. It can be moved to a bright place and watered moderately. Plants with good growth can be fertilized once a month with a thin liquid fertilizer that has been decomposed. Manual pollination should be done at the right time when the flowers are in bloom.
In winter, the plant requires plenty of sunshine, controlled watering to keep it dry, and a temperature no lower than 5℃ to survive the winter safely. If the temperature is low, watering should be controlled, and fertilizing stopped, allowing the plant to enter dormancy.
In spring, as the plant grows, the fruit matures and should be harvested. By the end of spring and the beginning of summer, the old leaves of most varieties gradually become thinner, and 2 new leaves form inside the old leaves, which grow further when it cools in autumn, breaking through the old leaves and emerging.
In cultivation, it is essential to avoid rain and waterlogging in the soil at all times. During the growing period, the plant should receive plenty of sunlight, otherwise, it will cause the plant to elongate and not bloom. Depending on the growth situation, repotting should be done once every 1 to 2 years in autumn, using a mix of decomposed leaf soil with about 1/2 coarse sand or vermiculite. Propagation is commonly done in autumn or during the growing period through division or sowing.
The comprehensive method of Qun Bi Yu maintenance mentioned above is hoped to be a modest contribution that can solve your problems with green plants.