Image - Wikimedia / Sabina Bajracharya
If you love succulent or succulent plants, not cacti but you are worried about losing them, there is nothing better than starting with the Pachyphytum. They are very grateful plants, which can be grown even indoors with a lot of light, so it is very difficult to have problems with them. 😉
Even so, if I have not finished convincing you, in this article you will know both the characteristics of the Pachyphytum and the care they need.
Origin and characteristics of the Pachyphytum
Our protagonist is a genus of succulent plants native to Mexico composed of 16 species that grow at altitudes between 600 and 1500 meters. They reach heights of between 10 and 30 centimeters, and they are formed by fleshy leaves, about 2-4cm in length, green, greyish-green or pinkish in color. During spring they produce flowers, also fleshy, grouped in inflorescences up to 10cm long.
Its growth rate is reasonably fast, but being small in size, the Pachyphytum is perfect for potting throughout its life.
Main species
The Pachyphytum are very interesting non-cacti succulents, since with a minimum care they will be very well. But what are the most popular species?
Pachyphytum bracteosum
Image - Wikimedia / Seacactus 13
El Pachyphytum bracteosum is a native variety of Mexico, which reaches a height of up to 30 centimeters. Its leaves are fleshy, oblanceolate, purplish-green or bluish, and up to 5 centimeters long. The flowers are grouped in peduncular inflorescences, which sprout from a stem 20 to 60 centimeters long.
Pachyphytum compactum
Image - Wikimedia / Seán A. O'Hara
El Pachyphytum compactum is a herbaceous plant native to Mexico that grows up to 8 centimeters tall. Its leaves are oblong-laced, green with multiple whitish lines. The flowers are grouped in inflorescences and are reddish.
Pachyphytum glutinicalule
Image - Wikimedia / David J. Stang
El Pachyphytum glutinicalule is originally from Mexico, and reaches a height of approximately 10 centimeters. Its leaves are oblong-shaped, and have a green-pink color that attracts a lot of attention.
Pachyphytum oviferum
Image - Wikimedia / Peter A. Mansfeld
El Pachyphytum oviferum, or as it is also known as the moonstone, it is a crass native to Mexico. Reaches a height of 15-20 centimeters, and its leaves are green-whitish, covered by a waxy coating. The flowers appear in inflorescences, and are greenish-white in color.
How do you take care of yourself?
Would you like to have a copy and provide it with the best care? To ensure that it is healthy and grows well, we recommend that you take into account what we are going to tell you below:
Location
- Body exterior:: Ideally, it should be outside, either on a patio, terrace or even on a rockery. In addition, it is necessary to give it direct sunlight, but if you are not used to it, you must first acclimatize it since otherwise it would burn.
- Interior: if you want, you can have it in a room, as long as a lot of natural light enters. Of course, do not put it next to the window, as its leaves would burn due to the magnifying glass effect. It is also important that you are away from drafts.
Irrigation
Generally, you have to water your Pachyphytum twice a week in summer, and every 10-15 days the rest of the year. But take this with tweezers, because if for example you are in an area where it rains regularly, you will not need to water as much.
If there is something that never fails, taking into account the plant it is and its needs, it is to let the soil dry between one watering and the next.
Earth
The earth must be light and facilitate the drainage of the water. So, the most advisable thing is to cultivate it in coarse sands, as can be the pumice (for sale here) for example. Now, it is also good ideal to mix universal growing medium with perlite or river sand in equal parts (for sale here).
Transplant
They are small plants, which they will only need 2 or 3 pot changes throughout his life. These changes will be made in spring, when the frosts have passed, and only if they have already occupied the entire container.
If you want to plant them in the garden, it must also be done in spring, being the ideal time when the minimum temperature is above 18ºC.
Multiplication
It can be multiplied by cuttings or seeds. Let's see how it is done:
Cuttings
The fastest and most effective way is by stem or leaf cuttings in spring-summer. All you have to do is cut a stem or leaf and plant it in a pot of about 6 centimeters in diameter with a substrate that drains the water well.
Put it outside, with light, and see watering it from time to time. In a matter of a week it will take root.
Seeds
The seeds you have to sow them during spring-summer in trays or pots that are wider than they are tall, with for example coconut fiber or quality cactus soil and succulents (for sale here). Water the soil, and then spread the seeds over the surface, taking care not to crowd them.
Then place the seedbed outside, in semi-shade, and water it every time the soil dries up. In about ten days they will germinate.
Pests
Pachyphytum are very resistant to pests, but it is necessary to control the snails. You can keep them at bay by throwing in a little diatomaceous earth on the surface of the substrate, or with snail repellants.
Rusticity
From experience, I can tell you that temperatures down to -2ºC, as long as they are very punctual and brief, do not seriously harm you. Anyway, it is better not to drop below 5ºC.
Where to buy?
If you want to get seeds, you can do it from here:
- As shown in the image
- easy to grow
- Item Condition New
- Best quality and easy to grow
- If your climate allows, plant your bulbs/seeds in the garden. In a suitable garden spot, geophytes can thrive and propagate much faster than they would do in pots.
- Do not hesitate to contact me and we'll find a solution together.
- Complete customer support
- Seeds are the set
- We are selling seeds only not plants (or) bulbs
- Overall height approx. 13cm
- Green color
- Fixation: in planter
- Overall height approx. 20cm
- Green color
- Mounting: on adjustment rod
Enjoy your Pachyphytum.