Graptopetalum FRUTICOSUM

Graptopetalum FRUTICOSUM - Shrubby graptopetalum, Graptopetalum fruticosum.

Graptopetalum is a genus of ornamental compact slow-growing succulents in the family Crassulaceae, uniting approximately 20 species whose height varies from 5 cm (2 in) to 1 m (3.3 ft). It grows in the form of a branching shrub with juicy fleshy stems bearing apical leaf rosettes shaped like fluffy cones, or without stems altogether with a dense terrestrial rosette of squat leaves. Branched few-flowered raceme-like inflorescences are situated on lateral axillary peduncles. Elegant star-shaped flowers with wide-open calyces have 5-7 separate lanceolate petals and 10-15 long stamens. Prolonged flowering continues from April to July for several weeks. In the natural habitat, the plant most often grows near coniferous forests on dry rocky mountain slopes of Mexico and the southwestern part of North America. The species was first brought to Europe by Mexican researcher Alfred Lau quite recently, at the end of the 20th century.

Graptopetalum fruticosum is a compact indoor succulent. Compact gray-green leaves with pointed reddish-brown tips are gathered into dense rosettes. The leaf blades, pointed at the ends, have an obovate shape. Small five-petaled flowers resembling little stars gathered in racemes open on peduncles rising above the leaves. Distributed in western Mexico.

Seeds are sown superficially into a sandy substrate, moistened with a spray bottle, covered with film, and germinated in the light at a temperature of 21-25 °C (70-77 °F). Seedlings require ventilation. Overwatering and drying out of the sowings must be avoided.

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Graptopetalum is an unpretentious, undemanding, and well-adapted plant for growing under indoor conditions. It easily tolerates the company of other succulents, but also looks very striking on its own. For successful growing under home conditions, bright lighting must be provided; shading from direct sunlight is needed only during the hot summer midday hours. It grows well on the windowsills of southern, eastern, and western windows. Under short daylight conditions, supplementary artificial lighting with grow lights for up to 10 hours is recommended. The temperature in summer should be 25-28 °C (77-82 °F), and from November to February during the dormancy period 12-16 °C (54-61 °F). If conditions are observed, the plant will demonstrate abundant flowering and begin the reproduction process. Watering should be moderate during the period of active vegetative growth from March to October (as the soil dries out by half), and very limited during the cold period; as a rule, once a month is sufficient. Air humidity is of no special importance.

Any loose, well-drained, low-nutrient substrates are suitable for growing. You can use a mixture of equal parts turf loam, leaf mold, and river sand, or a mixture of equal parts turf loam and river sand. The plant has a not very developed root system, so it is better to use wide and shallow containers with a good drainage layer at the bottom. Repotting is carried out in spring as needed. Feeding should be conducted from April to September once a month with weak-concentration fertilizers for succulents and cacti. During the cold period, feeding is prohibited.