How to cultivate the succulent plant Black Bishop
Answering netizens' questions on how to cultivate the succulent plant Black Bishop and providing guidelines on the care of potted Black Bishop, here are the details:
Many flower enthusiasts enjoy succulents with leaves that resemble lotus flowers, and they must grow a few pots of Black Bishop (Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop'). There are many varieties of Black Bishop, with leaves that are particularly glossy and have great ornamental value. After the cool weather of autumn sets in, it grows rapidly. Black Bishop is not expensive, easy to care for, and has high aesthetic value, making it suitable for beginners.
Black Bishop is a relatively easy-to-care-for succulent plant that can be grown in the ground in subtropical regions, even forming a shrub-like shape. It belongs to the Crassula family and the Aeonium genus. In some areas of southern Australia, Black Bishop has even evolved into an invasive weed, which speaks to its strong adaptability to the environment.
Black Bishop in bloom
Black Bishop is a subshrub with few branches that can grow to about one to two meters tall. When grown in a pot, its height can be restricted, and the plant can reach 30 to 90 centimeters in height.
Black Bishop is suitable for growing in environments with abundant sunlight or semi-shade, and they prefer warm and cool conditions, fearing excessive heat.
1. Purchase注意事项
Under different climatic conditions, the color and shape of Black Bishop's leaves can vary. In the hot summer, it will enter a dormant state, with leaves that are prone to falling and turning greener. In cooler seasons, the leaves can turn reddish-purple or have a reddish hue, depending on the variety.
How to cultivate the succulent plant Black Bishop
When purchasing Black Bishop, we should also pay attention to the color of its leaves and the main stem. If the main stem is still green, it indicates that it has been recently propagated (prone to root rot); if the main stem has turned brown, it has started to lignify, which means it is more adaptable to the environment, robust, and less prone to root rot.
2. Pruning and Root Drying
Black Bishop bought from the internet or a flower market can have the old soil removed.剪掉所有特别细小的 fibrous roots, retaining some larger roots, then place the plant in a well-ventilated and sunny area for 3 to 5 days to dry the wounds before repotting with new soil.
Of course, if the Black Bishop is bought bare-root from the internet and the seller has already pruned and dried the wounds, it can be planted immediately, with moist soil but no watering right away.
3. Watering 注意事项
Caring for potted Black Bishop is very simple. The plant fears overly moist potting soil; constant soil moisture or poor soil aeration can lead to root rot.
Do not water Black Bishop frequently. In the spring and autumn growing seasons (when new leaves sprout), water the plant only after the soil is completely dry, and then water thoroughly. In the excessively hot summer and cold winter, water should be controlled appropriately. In the hot summer, water can be occasionally applied on clear nights to maintain the plant. In the cold winter, watering should also be reduced.
4. Soil and Pot Selection
When planting Black Bishop, it is important to use the right potting soil. Avoid using common garden soil, leaf mold, or all-purpose nutrient soil, but instead use coarse particle peat mixed with some granular stones (such as common zeolite, red jade soil, diatomaceous earth, pumice, coal slag, or volcanic stones). Choose 2 to 3 types of granular stones to mix, then combine the peat with the stones in a 1:1 ratio, and mix in a little slow-release fertilizer, but not too much.