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Graptopetalum Amethystinum – 8 Crucial Caring Tips!

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Graptopetalum Amethystinum is a succulent plant that originated from Arizona and Mexico. Besides, it grows in a rosette. Graptopetalum Amethystinum is not frost hardy, though. In frost-free regions, it makes excellent rockery plants. This plant is a rare species that sports plump and rounded leaves in the shades of pink, green, and lavender.

The leaves have a powdery coating, and the flowers can go to about 6 inches in diameter. If the plant is grown in a hanging pot, it will spread 12 to 18 inches. The shades of Graptopetalum Amethystinum are strongest among the new leaves, but the older leaves usually become greenish.

Graptopetalum Amethystinum 1
Graptopetalum Amethystinum – via Etsy

Graptopetalum Amethystinum Care Tips

1.       Lighting

The lighting needs to be bright, while Graptopetalum Amethystinum is relatively calm about the sun’s direct rays. When choosing a place for such a plant, it is recommended to preference windows of southeast and south orientation. 

However, the beautiful Graptopetalum Amethystinum can quickly grow on the windowsill of the western window.

If there is too little light, it is recommended to illuminate this plant using unique photo lamps. When using supplementary lighting, the length of daylight hours should be maintained at about 10 hours.

2.       Soil

Like any other succulent plant, Graptopetalum Amethystinum grows best in well-drained soil. Using a cactus potting blend with perlite for extra drainage is best. 

You can use roughly a solution of cacti and perlite and cactus and perlite if you live in a very humid climate. You can use sandy soil, which will add more drainage to the mix. 

This can be achieved by mixing a mixture of cactus or potting soil. You can even use a mixture the three materials like cactus mix, coarse sand, and perlite.

3.       Temperature

The optimal temperature regime in summer for the Graptopetalum Amethystinum is mainly 18-24 °C. With the advent of cold autumn weather, it is better to lower the temperature and rearrange the flowerpots to another place so that the plant prepares for winter. 

From November to February, all vegetation processes freeze. Until the spring of next year, Graptopetalum Amethystinum is transferred to a cool veranda or insulated balcony.

4.       Watering

During intensive growth, watering should be moderate. Water should not be allowed to stagnate in the soil. It is necessary to water only after the soil dries out to a depth of ½ part. You need to water with water at room temperature, which should be well settled before that.

During cold wintering, watering should be very scarce. It must be produced, paying attention to the leaf plates. As a rule, this procedure can be performed only once in 4 weeks.

5.       Fertilizer

Feeding is unnecessary, but giving Graptopetalum Amethystinum the nutrients it needs will help ensure normal growth and encourage flowering. This plant requires enough energy to produce flowers, and feeding it with additional nutrients will help meet its needs during the flowering season. 

The most common recommendation is to fertilize during the active growing season or the spring and summer months. 

Fertilizers are best applied at a half or quarter dose every two weeks. Then you can refrain from fertilizing during the winter period and at the end of autumn. 

A balanced mixture of fertilizers diluted by half is suitable and widely used. Fertilizer mixtures specially designed for cacti and succulents are also eligible.

6.       Air humidity

Observing competent care for the Graptopetalum Amethystinum, one should not forget about the factor of indoor air humidity. The plant is suitable for a low percentage of moisture in the air, which is characteristic and is in the range of a hole for residential premises in cities with traditional heating.

7.       Top dressing

Like any houseplant, Graptopetalum Amethystinum needs to be fed at the time of growth. It is better to fertilize with complex mixtures from cacti. Water once a month, dilute strictly according to the instructions.

Many amateur flower growers use banana peel that is dried and ground into a powder, then sprinkle the soil in the pot before watering.

With the onset of cold weather, feeding is stopped; Graptopetalum Amethystinum goes into a dormant period. Fertilization procedures are resumed from the beginning of May.

8.       Transplant

Graptopetalum Amethystinum endures all sorts of changes in its position. Its roots are not developed, so it suffers greatly. It is advisable to transplant this plant only in case of extreme need.

For example, it is unnecessary to delay this when it no longer fits in the old container, as Graptopetalum Amethystinum will stop flowering.

Graptopetalum Amethystinum 2
Graptopetalum Amethystinum – via Etsy

Propagation methods

        i.            Propagation by cuttings

Before planting the cuttings into the ground, the material is dried for 1-2 days. Slightly moistened and buried shoots are covered with glass or a piece of polyethylene. Excess water in the pot during the rooting period is the cause of rot. 

Under favorable conditions and proper care, the processes will strengthen after a week. After a couple of months, a small strong Graptopetalum Amethystinum will form above the substrate from which flower stalks will appear in the future.

       ii.            Propagation by seeds

Seeds (purchased or collected from Graptopetalum Amethystinum) are sown for seedlings in early spring after soaking them for several hours. It is necessary to keep the soil moist for a long time: shoots appear only after a month and grow very slowly.

Diseases and pests

Graptopetalum Amethystinum is not very susceptible to diseases because it is protected by a wax coating on the leaf blades. If diseases occur, they can rot since they arise from excessive moisture, especially in the cold season.

It is necessary to prevent water from entering the pot. Graptopetalum Amethystinum is attacked by a mealybug that hides under dense layers of fleshy leaves. It is easy to recognize it by the white coating. If the area of ​​occupation is large, you can lose the plant.


Conclusion

Graptopetalum Amethystinum has won many hearts of flower growers due to its decorative effect, variety of flower colors, and simple care at home. Transplanting is also simple.

It is a decoration of any room, from an office to a private apartment. The main thing is to treat Graptopetalum Amethystinum with attention and care, and it will always cheer you up.