Aeonium BALSAMIFERUM

Aeonium BALSAMIFERUM - Balsam aeonium, Aeonium balsamiferum.

Aeonium is a genus of succulents in the family Crassulaceae, numbering about 40 species. The center of their diversity is the Canary Islands; they are also found on Madeira, the Cape Verde Islands, in Morocco, and in East Africa. These are true long-livers that remain in indoor interiors for decades.

Stems are robust, straight, solitary or branching, gradually becoming woody and covered with scars from fallen leaves. Some species form spectacular aerial roots. Plant height ranges from modest 10-15 cm (3.9-5.9 in) to almost a meter (3.3 ft), and the stem can be distinctly pronounced, like a small tree, or almost completely concealed beneath low-growing rosettes.

The leaves are fleshy, always sessile, narrowed toward the base, resembling petals or rhombuses in shape, with a smooth glossy or slightly pubescent surface and fine white cilia or small denticles along the margin. They are gathered in very dense, flower-like rosettes always at the ends of shoots, from a few centimeters to almost a meter (3.3 ft) across. Coloration ranges from light green to reddish, brown, and purple, often uneven. Inflorescences are large pyramidal clusters of bright yellow flowers that last a long time.

Balsam aeonium is endemic to the Canary Islands: in nature it grows on Lanzarote, and has naturalized on Fuerteventura. It is a succulent shrub up to 90 cm (35 in) tall with a branching stem.

Rosettes are about 20 cm (7.9 in) across. Leaves are bright green, sometimes with a grayish tint, about 7 cm (2.8 in) long, and sticky to the touch. The main distinguishing feature of the species is reflected in its name: the leaves emit a pungent balsamic scent. Flowers are bright yellow or pale yellow.

Aeonium seeds are very small, almost dust-like, and mature in dry follicles. Soaking such tiny seeds is impractical, so the substrate itself is disinfected: before sowing, it is drenched with a weak potassium permanganate solution and dried. Scarification and stratification are not required; sowing can be done year-round.

Sowing is performed on the surface, without burying, into a sandy substrate. The sowing is moistened from a spray bottle with a growth stimulant solution: SUPERthrive, HB-101, Aminozol, Epin, or Zircon, covered with film or placed in a mini-greenhouse, and germinated in light at a temperature of 20-25 °C (68-77 °F).

Under favorable conditions, the first seedlings appear within 1-2 weeks, main germination is completed within a month, and individual seeds may delay longer. Sowing containers are regularly ventilated; waterlogging and drying out are unacceptable. Pricking out is carried out after the seedlings have visibly strengthened, into individual small pots.

Special notes: Seeds are small!

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The plant needs a sunny location year-round, requiring shade only from the hottest rays. In winter, aeonium is kept in a very well-lit spot: leaf coloration directly depends on light.

In winter, cool conditions are desirable. With low air humidity, the plant tolerates a fairly noticeable drop in temperature. During the rest of the year, normal room temperature is sufficient for it.

During the growth period, it is watered as the substrate dries out; during winter dormancy, watering is reduced. Water stagnation must always be avoided, and in winter it is especially dangerous: the plant rots and dies.

The substrate is composed of one-third peat, one-third fertile soil, and one-third sand, with an acidity around pH 6.5. Drainage is placed at the bottom of the pot.

Fertilizer is applied in spring and autumn, once every two weeks, using cactus fertilizer.

Repotting is carried out in spring or autumn, once every two years. Damaged parts and faded inflorescences are removed. In addition to seeds, aeonium is very easily propagated by cuttings: the cut rosette is dried and rooted in sand.