Cotyledons succulents belong to the Crassulaceae family of succulents. There are only a few hundred species in this family. In its natural surroundings, Cotyledon Pendens dangle from the sheer cliff sides along the Bashe River in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Tubular flowers and globular brown seeds are the main characteristics of most Cotyledon plants.
What is the best way to grow Cotyledon Pendens?
Cotyledon Pendumis plants are a low-cost option for both outdoor and indoor gardening. Gardening in the open air might be okay if you gave the plant frost protection over the winter. This lovely succulent with bell-shaped flowers and fleshy leaves looks great in a container.
It can be a houseplant stored in a dry garden where frost is not an issue. During the summer, Cliff Cotyledon can be grown from cuttings. Seeds are sown 2-3 mm deep and placed to produce mats for summer seed propagation.
Propagation of Cotyledon Pendens
Cliff Cotyledon plants have fragile leaves that fall off when handled. Propagation makes sure that these leaves are not wasted. This allows you to grow new plants for yourself or others. Once rooted, stem cuttings become tiny plants.
Leaf cuts need more growth. After you have the cuttings, you’ll need to wait a few days before planting them. The cut should be calloused, which will protect them from infection. The rooting hormone should be present, as it can help the cut in growing roots more quickly.
Cotyledon Pendens Propagation (Cliff Cotyledon)
These succulent plants are simple to grow and propagate. But, it does take some patience. So, you might be asking: “How to propagate cotyledon Pendens?” We’ve put up a complete guide for you.
Offsets
There are many ways to propagate the Cliff Cotyledon Pendens. The most frequent approach is to remove offsets from the base or stem and plant them in cactus soil. If given enough time, the roots will grow on their own.
- With your fingers, take an offset from the root clustered base.
- Remove any old leaves that may bother with the water retention of the plant.
- For a seed to grow, soak it for 15 minutes before planting.
- Plant rooted offsets two inches deep, with at least one inch between plantlets. If planted too close together, growth is slower.
- Allow time for the soil to dry before watering.
- Every week, water your plants. Give more if in extreme drought.
- If the temperature rises over 85 degrees, you should water it with nutrient-rich water or give yourself extra time between watering.
Cuttings and leaves to propagate Cotyledon Pendens’ Cliff Cotyledon’
Cut a leaf from the mother plant using a clean knife or scissors for growing Cliff Cotyledon plants. Clip off a section of the plant and lay it aside in a shady place for cuttings. Give your plants a few days to callous, and then you can start replanting.
For your new succulent plant, choose a well-draining soil mix. When the soil of your succulent plant dries out, don’t forget to water it.
Remove the entire leaf and place it in a shady spot to grow from it. Roots will sprout on the leaf in three weeks, and a new plant will rise from the base.
Using Seeds to Propagate Cotyledon Pendens’ Cliff Cotyledon’
This succulent is a slow grower. So, seeds may be used to reproduce it. But, it is not advised. Plant the seeds in a well-draining soil mixture to propagate them. This procedure may be used in the open air. Indoor propagation is okay in colder climates.
Cotyledon Pendens Care Instructions (Cliff Cotyledon)
As I previously stated, caring for Cotyledon Pendens is a simple task. The cliff Cotyledon Pendens is comparable to Pig’s Ear in terms of care. Here’s how to take care of Cotyledon Pendens. (Read Can Spider Mites Live Without Plants)
Light
This Cliff Cotyledon plant requires a lot of sunshine, but it doesn’t like it when it gets too hot. Extreme heat will cause sunburn.
Please keep it in a bright location away from direct sunlight. Bright yet filtered light would be good, as long as there is still some air movement between the leaves. It would help if you sprinkled them with water.
If you plan to put this succulent plant in your garden, make sure it gets proper and enough sunlight. Its growth is best in full sun to partial sun. When they are exposed to direct sunshine and full sun, they are happy! Make sure to put them in a sunny position!
If you’re growing succulents outside, they’ll need six hours of direct sunlight each day. But, they can tolerate less without problems. Before putting your pot out, make sure it gets enough natural light.
When planted inside near a sunny window, the Cotyledon Pendens will need to be moved every few days. This is to ensure that all sides of the plant receive light. Bright, indirect light is ideal for them. Most Cotyledon plants will grow in a south, east, or west-facing window.
Temperature
You can’t keep cliff Cotyledon outside if you live in a location where temperatures are low. Because this is not a frost-tolerant species of plants, you should expect to bring your Cotyledon indoors for the winter. Cotyledon Pendens are best grown indoors.
Watering
This succulent, just like other succulents, need the same amount of watering. So, water it now and again, but don’t do much. Water it when the soil is dry to the touch, and don’t water during the dormant period.
When the dirt feels dry up to one inch thick, you have to water the cliff Cotyledon Pendens plant.
It would help if you watered cotyledon plants until the water can be seen flowing out of the drainage hole in the container’s bottom.
Soil Requirements
In cactus and succulent soil, these cliff Cotyledon plants grow. Place the plant in a nutrient-rich, well-draining soil mix. To avoid root rot, choose neutral to acidic, sandy-gritty soil. Cotyledon Pendens plants, like other succulents, require well-draining, porous soil to thrive.
Cactus or pumice, succulent potting mix, sandstone gravels (lava rock), perlite, or bark mulch are some of the best soils for this kind.
You should mix organic materials into the right soil. The organic mix will help in keeping your soil moist. But, avoid using weed killers or fertilizers that will harm the Cotyledons.
Fertilizer
Fertilize your Cliff’s Cotyledon succulents. Fertilize once or twice if the plant starts to appear drab or grows slowly after being fed a low-nitrogen fertilizer. You should not use food or human fertilizer on this plant since they may cause the leaf tips to burn and become brown.
Disease and pests
The mealybug is the most frequent pest. If you ignore these pests, it can be hard to get rid of. Mealybugs feed on the plant by sucking the sap. So, you must get rid of the pests. An insecticide soap spray or neem oil is the quickest approach to get rid of them.
Cactus oils and heavy oils can also suffocate mealybugs if applied to their bodies. Do not apply these near any other plants. You may also suffocate pests by using a cotton swab soaked in alcohol.
Cotyledon rot is the most common illness that Cotyledon Pendens are prone to. When there is too much water in the soil, the plant’s roots begin to rot. Cutting away any bad tissue at the base of the rotting region and the contaminated dirt or connected debris will be enough to treat it.
Last Thoughts
Any succulent lover will love the beauty of the Cotyledon Pendens succulent plant. These succulents are seen in the Eastern Cape of Africa.
It’s one of the simplest succulents to cultivate and propagate, and it grows fast. Yes, its lovely colors make it suitable for almost any location. You can propagate it through stem cutting or leaves.
The Cotyledon Pendens succulent plant is low-maintenance. It’s a simple approach for novices to get started with plant propagation. Take care of your Cotyledon Pendens! Happy Planting!