Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Magnoliophyta
Class Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledons)
Sub-Class Rosidae
Order Rosales
Family Crassulaceae
Genus Pachyphytum
Species Approximately 12
A small- to medium-sized slow-growing
Mexican member of the
succulent family
Crassulaceae (making them relatives of
kalanchoe and
jade plant).
Pachyphytum leaves are
plump and fleshy, and range in colour from
green to lovely
orange and even
purple. The leaves form a loose
rosette. They may be
grape-shaped or tubular, and may have a powdery coating called
farina.
Pachyphytum forms small, unimpressive bell-shaped
flowers in
spring and
summer which are usually greenish-white and deep
red, and which grow on long spikey
inflorescences.
Pachyphytum rosettes will not die after
flowering (
polycarpic, versus
monocarpic). The genus name
Pachyphytum comes from the
Greek for 'thick leaves'. It grows in both shrub-forming and stemless
rosettes and eventually forms clumps.
These plants are fairly
hardy, and are common
houseplants. However, like
graptopetalum,
pachyphytum is sensitive to being handled, as skin oil can damage leaves, in particular those with a
pearlescent colouration or
farina.
COMMON NAMES:
"Pearly
Moonstones", "Sugar
Almonds" (
Pachyphytum oviferum, a common
species)
CONDITIONS PREFERRED:
Pachyphytum will not tolerate
frosts well. Temperatures below 20°
will kill the plant, and temperatures which may go below 45° (
fahrenheit) during extended period should be avoided.
Pachyphytum tolerates high heat and intense sunlight. As with most
Crassulaceae,
pachyphytum can tolerate (and even appreciated) poor
soil conditions, so long as it is well draining. Ideally, I recommend 1" - 2" of horticultural
charcoal in the bottom of the pot, then a commercial
cactus and
succulent soil mixture or 2 parts common houseplant soil mixed with one part
sand.
Pachyphytum can thrive in full or partial
sunlight.
Allow the
soil to dry out before watering, and be careful to avoid getting
water on the leaves (this is of utmost importance on species with
farina). In
winter, the plants will require more water, as
winter begins its active growth season. If you are unsure when to water your
pachyphytum, watch the lower most leaves for signs of drying and water them then.
Pachyphytum is FAR more likely to
survive under-watering than over-watering. The thick fleshy leaves will appear wilted and a bit "under-full" when they need
water.
PROPAGATION:
Leaf cutting entails cutting a young
leaf from near the center of the rosette. Leave the
leaf out in the open air for a day to allow the wound to callous over. Dip the leaf into rooting hormone (such as RootOne, which can be purchased almost anywhere you buy plants) and place the leaf (cut-side down) into slightly moist
succulent mix potting soil (even better is very lightly moist
sand). Soon, a new
rosette will grow from the base of the leaf. As soon as enough roots are present to repot, remove the original leaf cutting and repot the
rosette.
PRUNING AND GENERAL CARE:
Pruning:
No pruning is necessary except to remove any leaves which have
died. This will help to avoid
rot and bugs. Avoid touching the healthy leaves of the
plant, as your body
oils will leave marks.
Tips:
- Whether grown outdoors or in, these plants are good to forget about. Too much attention by nervous gardeners will kill the plant.
- When grown outdoors in a wet environment, make sure that the soil is sandy and well-draining. If you aren't careful, your plant will turn to rotten mush.
- When grown indoors, a standard commercial cactus and succulent soil mixture works well.
Problems:
In the event of an unhealthy plant, the first thing to examine is your watering habits. The most common problem is root rot due to overwatering. If the
soil is too
wet, don't hope it will safely dry out so long as you don't water it for a while. Replace the soil immediately, but be very careful in handling your
pachyphytum, it's leaves are very
sensitive.
One of the most common pests to
houseplants is the mealybug, and your
pachyphytum may fall prey to this pest. The symptoms of a mealybug infestation is slowed or stopped growth (though in
summer this is a normal sign of
dormancy). If this occurs without apparent cause, remove the plant from the pot and examine the roots or look at the
leaf-
stem junctions. A white cottony substance is a sure sign of mealybug infestation. Remove all
soil and wash the roots gently. Dab the cottony spots with a
q-tip dipped in
rubbing alchohol. Remove any roots which appear damaged with a sharp
sterile knife or
scissors. Let them dry very throroughly before replanting.