If you like succulents, and that they have an unusual appearance, Surely from time to time you have seen the variegated cotyledon tomentosa. It is a plant that attracts a lot of attention; but for that reason it also raises doubts.
Will it be easy to care for? Can variegation be propagated and maintained? And do you have common problems that are easy to solve? All of this is what we are going to discuss below.
Cotyledon tomentosa variegata: A unique succulent plant
Source_Valley Succulents
Cotyledon tomentosa variegata is a succulent, as the title says, "one of a kind". Another of the names it receives is "bear's paw", or "solo claw", due to some small teeth at the tips of the leaves. It is a plant native to South Africa that has a bushy appearance. In fact, if you leave it in a pot (or in the garden), where it has space, it is normal for it to reach about 30 centimeters in height.
But it is not the height that is most characteristic of this, but its leaves. These are somewhat large, ovate and thick, quite a bit, since the water accumulates in them (which is why we advise you not to water it too much). They are light green in color but, being variegated, they also have white or cream-colored spots. In fact, no leaf is the same as the other.
In addition, all the leaves are covered by a hair, making this plant have velvety leaves to the touch.
Although with the leaves you could already say that it is quite attractive, you have to know that it is capable of flowering. To do this, it will take out a long floral stem from which the small flowers will appear., bell-shaped and orange. If you visualize it, you will see that it is quite striking.
Although you may think that it is difficult to find, the truth is that it is not; it is quite easy and also affordable for the pockets because a pot of this plant does not cost more than 5-10 euros.
How to care for your Cotyledon tomentosa variegata
Source_Everything for your garden
After everything we have told you, surely you are thinking of getting one of them. The problem is that, if you do it, and you have no idea of the care, the only thing that you are going to achieve is that in the end it dies.
Since we don't want that to happen to you with the variegated cotyledon tomentosaHow about we leave you a guide to the most important care?
Location and temperature
The first thing you should know about the Cotyledon tomentosa variegata is that it is a succulent that needs the sun. But with conditions. We are talking about a variegated plant and that implies that it is more delicate with respect to the lighting that it will have. In this sense there are two situations:
In winter: put it in full sun. As it will face cold temperatures, and it can't stand frost, it's better to give it as much sun as possible.
In summer, or times of great heat. Since they are variegated, and since we have told you that they are more delicate, you will have to put them in semi-shade places where they get as much sunlight as possible, but none direct. Once you adapt to your environment this can change.
Substratum
The best soil for Cotyledon tomentosa variegata is one that is recommended for cacti and succulents. This is characterized by being porous and with a lot of drainage. And that is why we recommend that you buy it so that you do not have a problem with it.
In case you can't do it, always choose drainage and soil, which can be universal and organic.
Irrigation
In case you don't know, the months in which the variegated cotyledon tomentosa grows are spring, summer and autumn. And, therefore, it will need more watering than usual. Of course, in summer, contrary to what you think, the plant enters a kind of rest, which means that it does not need water, only in the spring and autumn months.
Subscriber
If you look, we have said that you can add organic soil. And it is that, when spring arrives, it demands a large number of subscribers. Therefore, try to throw it from spring to summer; sometimes until autumn if the climate where you live is mild or warm.
We recommend that you choose, among other fertilizers, worm humus or manure, but if you prefer something more homemade, then take banana and egg shells or coffee grounds.
Propagation of Cotyledon tomentosa variegata: Step by step guide
Source_The Green capsule
If you have a variegated cotyledon tomentosa, surely, at some point, you will want to reproduce it because it is so beautiful that it is worth it. But how is it achieved?
One of the easiest ways to do this is through cuttings. To do this, you have to choose an apex of growth, if possible as close to the stem, and cut it completely.
Do not think of planting it immediately, but it is precious that it heals the wound you have caused. To make it faster you can add powdered fertilizer. While you wait, you can do analysis to see if reproduction is really viable.
If you do it in the fall and spring months, your chance of success is much higher than if you do it in the cold seasons.
Another way to propagate the cotyledon tomentosa variegata is through seeds, that you will pick from the flowers when it blooms. You will have to collect these and put them in airtight bags, if possible in cool and dark areas because they will need time to adapt.
It is a much slower method than the previous one, although it is also much faster.
Common problems with Cotyledon tomentosa variegata and how to fix them
We come to the problems, that is, to the pests that can affect you throughout your life. And although it does not usually have, that does not mean that there is not. If you have other plants nearby, it is best to check their status, especially mealybugs, aphids and mollusks.
In case they appear and are making a dent in your plant, that you know that you can use diatomaceous earth that are the ones that are great to get rid of them.
As you can see, the Cotyledon tomentosa variegata is a plant that will give a unique and special touch to your garden or inside your home. Would you dare to have it in your home?