Aichryson BETHENCOURTIANUM

Aichryson BETHENCOURTIANUM - Bethencourt's aichryson, Tree of love, Aichryson bethencourtianum.

Aichryson is a genus of annual and perennial herbaceous succulent plants and subshrubs from the stonecrop family (Crassulaceae), naturally growing on rocky cliffs, in rock crevices, and in fissures of stones. According to different classification systems, the genus comprises 12-15 species, whose primary diversity is represented in the Canary and Azores Islands, Madeira, Portugal, Morocco, and Somalia.

The plant forms a spherical bush 20-30 cm (8-12 in) in height and diameter. The rhizome is strongly branched and located in the upper soil layers. The shoots are partially branched and hardly lignify. Oppositely arranged fuzzy leaves have a rounded-ovate shape and are gathered into leaf rosettes. The leaf blade color is dark green or green, sometimes with flecks of yellow, white, gray, and red. A rather unpleasant odor emanates from a damaged leaf blade. The small leaves are heart-shaped.

Panicled or corymbose inflorescences consist of small star-shaped flowers that can be white, red, or cream-colored. Flowering is observed in April or May already in the second year, while a mature plant produces flowers annually. After the plant finishes flowering, the leaf rosette that produced the peduncle dies back.

In home conditions, aichryson is grown as a standard tree or a low-growing bush with branching stems.

Aichryson bethencourtianum is a perennial, dense, branched, fuzzy little bush up to 15 cm (6 in) high. Slightly woody, sinuous branches spread widely. The leaves are obovate, rounded, hairy, often with a purple tint, 1.2-1.8 cm (0.5-0.7 in) long, 1 cm (0.4 in) wide, and 0.2-0.3 cm (0.08-0.12 in) thick. Inflorescences are 3-5 cm (1.2-2 in) long, on a peduncle up to 1.2 cm (0.5 in) in diameter. The flowers are rich yellow, with elliptical, pointed petals 0.5-0.6 cm (0.2-0.24 in) long. Flowering occurs in spring and lasts up to half a year. After flowering, it sheds most of its leaves, but does not die.

Seeds are sown in a loose cactus substrate additionally diluted with coarse sand, or in a mixture of 1 part leaf mold and 0.5 part sand to a depth of 0.5 cm (0.2 in), moistened with a spray bottle, covered with film, and germinated in light, but not in sun, at a temperature of 20-25 °C (68-77 °F). Seedlings require ventilation. Overwatering and drying out of sowings must be avoided.

Seed germination is observed after 2 weeks. Seedlings are pricked out into shallow pans or flats at a distance of 1x1 cm (0.4x0.4 in). The pricked-out seedlings are placed close to light.

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Aichryson prefers bright diffused light. It is best to grow the plant on windows with an eastern or western exposure. Shading is required on southern windows. In the autumn-winter period, the plant does not need shading from direct rays, but sunburn on clear days must be avoided. For uniform crown growth, the plant needs to be turned with different sides facing the light.

During the spring-summer period, an air temperature around 20-25 °C (68-77 °F) is preferred. In autumn and winter, cooler temperatures are desirable. The plants tolerate dry indoor air well. From time to time, it is recommended to wash the plants under a warm shower; in the autumn-winter months, this procedure is contraindicated.

Watering during the spring-summer period is carried out regularly, allowing the substrate in the pot to dry out halfway down the pot's height. In winter, it is watered rarely, just enough to prevent the leaves from wilting and wrinkling. The need for watering is determined by the turgor of leaves and shoots: lightly press the palm against the crown; if it springs back, it is still too early to water, but if limpness is felt, it should be watered. Heavy watering after complete drying of the substrate risks rotting of roots and the base of shoots, so the plant is watered in small portions.

Repotting is done as necessary in spring, when the pot becomes filled with roots. The root system is shallow, so shallow pots should be chosen. The plant is undemanding regarding soil. A substrate of sod soil and sand is suitable, or a mixture of sod soil, leaf mold, compost, and sand (4:1:1:1). It is beneficial to add crushed brick and pieces of charcoal to the soil. Good drainage must be provided at the bottom of the pot. After repotting, watering is carried out after 4-5 days, depending on the size of the pot. The first watering must be very cautious to avoid causing root rot.

Feeding is carried out during the spring-summer period once every two weeks with a complex fertilizer for succulent plants with low nitrogen content.

In indoor culture, the plant can be grown as a bush or as a standard tree. To shape an attractive crown, the tips of young shoots are pinched during the growing season and weak shoots are cut out. If the plant becomes leggy after a warm winter, it is renewed by pruning or rooting cuttings. Over time, the plant produces fresh new shoots.

Aichryson begins flowering in spring, in its second or third year, provided it has a snug pot, sparse watering, and a cool, bright wintering period. After flowering ends, the flower stalks must be pruned away and watering increased.