Hylotelephium TELEPHIUM

Hylotelephium TELEPHIUM - Common orpine, Livelong stonecrop, Hylotelephium telephium, Purple stonecrop, Sedum PURPUREUM.

Hylotelephium is a genus of plants in the Crassulaceae family, comprising about 30 species formerly included in the genus Sedum. It is distributed in temperate regions of Europe and Asia. These perennials with fleshy stems and leaves are easily recognizable by their dense inflorescences and unpretentiousness.

Plants form strong upright stems up to 60 cm (23.6 in) tall, covered with oval or obovate leaves with an entire or slightly serrate margin. Flowers are small, star-shaped, gathered in dense corymbose or umbellate inflorescences. Flowering occurs in the second half of summer and autumn. Leaves and stems possess the ability to accumulate moisture.

Common orpine is a rhizomatous succulent with straight, reddish-green stems up to 50 cm (19.7 in) tall. Leaves are fleshy, obovate, glaucous-green, with a smooth margin. Inflorescences are dense corymbs up to 10 cm (3.9 in) in diameter, consisting of numerous purple or dark pink flowers opening from August to October. Fruits are follicles with small seeds.

Seeds are sown on the surface of a moist substrate with sand. Sowings are covered with film and kept at a temperature of 20-22 °C (68-72 °F), in partial shade. Regular ventilation is carried out.

Seedlings appear in 10-20 days. The maximum possible germination period is up to 30 days. Pricking out is carried out after the appearance of 2-3 true leaves. Young plants can be gradually accustomed to open sun.

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Placement in an open sunny location is preferred. It flowers less profusely in shade. Adequate ventilation is ensured, especially when grown in containers.

Summer temperature is from 18 to 28 °C (64 to 82 °F). In winter, it withstands drops down to -25 °C (-13 °F) when grown in open ground. In pot culture, it overwinters at 5-10 °C (41-50 °F). Watering is carried out moderately, and during dormancy - restrictedly.

A universal garden or succulent substrate with good drainage is used. Repotting is carried out in spring when necessary, once every 2-3 years. Pots are selected wide and stable.

Fertilizers are applied from spring to mid-summer once a month. Complete fertilizers with a low nitrogen content are used. In autumn and winter, feeding is not required.

Shaping is not required, but pinching is possible to stimulate growth and tillering. Propagation is carried out by seeds, cuttings, or bush division. Flowering is possible 1-2 years after sowing.