Moonstones are members of the Pachyphytum genus and the succulent Pachyphytum oviferum species. So it’s known as Pachyphytum oviferum in the botanical world, which refers to the shape of its leaves. Moonstone plants come in different colors, such as pink moonstone.
Later on, we’ll talk about the leaves. But there’s a catch: this succulent’s name roughly translates to “thick plant that contains eggs.” This plant requires minimal care; that is why many want to propagate moonstone succulents.
If you are wondering how to propagate them, don’t worry because we have prepared a step-by-step guide for you to follow.
How To Propagate Moonstone Through Leaf Cuttings
Follow the instructions outlined below.
- Remove a young leaf coming from the rosette’s center.
- Allow time for the cut section to callous — a day is generally plenty.
- In a somewhat wet, well-draining potting mix, place the leaf.
- Stay until a new rosette appears, then repot the new rosette once it has produced enough roots. Make sure to remove the elder leaf.
Dip the leaf you cut in a rooting hormone before putting it in a potting medium to speed up the rooting process. And, instead of potting media, sand can be used to improve and speed uprooting.
What Is the Best Way To Propagate Succulents From Offsets?
Getting some offsets from a mother plant is the simplest and fastest technique to propagate succulents. Many succulent plants spread naturally by producing offsets, also known as pups. After a while of growth, your succulent will be surrounded by small succulents of itself that come from the dirt, especially if it’s healthy and doing well.
Succulent pups are usually loosely attached to the mother plant, making it easy to separate. The added benefit is that they frequently come with their root system, so it’s just a matter of potting up, splitting, and nearly guaranteeing success.
If your succulent has developed offsets that you’d like to separate, the simplest method to do is:
- Please wait until it’s time to re-pot, which won’t be long because the plant’s offspring will ultimately crowd the pot.
- After everyone has been removed, clip the mother plant’s link and pot up the infants separately.
What Is The Best Way to Grow Succulents From Seed?
Growing plants from seed aren’t quite classic propagation as we’ve defined it in this article, but it’s worth mentioning because it’s such a pleasant project. You can get seeds from your succulents that have bloomed and pollinated, or you can buy them from a reputable source online. (Read Are String Of Dolphins Toxic)
Growing a succulent seed might be difficult depending on the species: some are highly resilient, while others require specific care.
How to Grow Succulents From Their Leaves
Planting succulents from its leaves is an exciting procedure if you’ve never tried it before. In other words, many succulent species can develop a new baby plant from a single leaf. We make use of this for easy multiplication and more succulents by:
- Plucking leaves on purpose or transplanting fallen leaves to produce new succulents.
- Locate a great plump leaf on the plant if you wish to reproduce your succulence by leaf pulling.
- Remove it gently, twisting (not pulling!) it between your fingers. The leaf must be removed entirely; if the leaf rips, it will not work.
- After you’ve gathered your leaves, set them aside to dry for a few days. This permits the open “wound” to be callous over, preventing decay later.
- The leaves themselves don’t mind sitting about for a few days because they are moist and won’t dry out.
Moonstone Succulent: How to Care of It
1. In Terms of Lighting
Moonstones can withstand both direct sunlight and indirect sunshine. If it’s the former or the latter, it’ll depend on where you live.
You should make a partial shade or a place of sheltering your plant from the afternoon sun rays if you live in a location with unusually scorching summers. Otherwise, a sunny spot for the moonstones will suffice to provide your plant with the needed amount of light energy.
Indoors, secure your plant in a bright window and rotate the pot every few days. Long stems and faded leaves won’t assist you in achieving the desired visual appeal. This grow light comes highly recommended for helping your tiny beauties.
2. Climate
The USDA hardiness zone for sugar almond plant range from 10a to 11b. Temperature ranges from 30°F to 50°F (-1.1°C to 10°C) in these regions. However, there is always an opportunity for compromise, as is customary.
Temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-6 degrees Celsius) are acceptable. Anything beyond this is a surefire way to kill your plant. And that means avoiding frosty temperatures at all costs and considering early spring.
When the winter months arrive, bring your plant indoors.
3. Water on Your Moonstones
The moonstones’ watering schedule is similar to other succulents. That is, between watering sessions, you must allow the potting material to dry out. Don’t worry about the dangers of root rot this way.
Touching the leaves of your plant will inform you if it needs water. They’re fine if they have a stiff feel to them. Soft leaves, on the other hand, indicate that rain is required.
But be careful: only do these to the leaves around the stem’s base. If you end up touching the other leaves, you’ll have a spotty plant. That doesn’t sound very enticing.
Pink moonstones, unlike most succulents, require more watering in the winter because it is their growing season. Please keep this in mind.
Make sure the water will not touch the leaves while you’re at it. They are readily broken.
4. Soil
The appropriate soil for moonstones is a combination of clay and sand. Moonstones should not be grown in soil that absorbs water for an extended period. Make sure you choose soil that drains quickly.
One can be made by combining a few different ingredients, which are pumice, sand, and ordinary potting soil. The optimum potting medium for your plant will be a combination of the three. Compost and sand are other fantastic combinations.
Alternatively, you can buy a ready-made commercial succulent combination and bypass all of this.
5. Moonstone Repotting
When you’ve recently bought your plant, repotting is very important. If your moonstones have outgrown their current container, you can repot them.
The potting mix is the most crucial component of the jigsaw. The depth of your stem in the existing container must also be considered. You must maintain the depth of the motion to protect the stem from decay. Finally, remember the no-touch rule when it comes to leaves.
It’s best to repot your succulents during its active growing season, which is winter. Before you restart your watering schedule, give it time to settle first. (Read Pigs Ear Succulent Propagation)
Common Diseases and Pests in Moonstone Succulents
The moonstone succulent genus is not susceptible to numerous pests or diseases. But that doesn’t rule out the possibility!
The moonstone succulent plant is susceptible to the following diseases:
- Botrytis cinerea is a fungus that, during cool, damp weather, has common reddish-brown rot patches on the leaves. This fungus thrives in moist climates with colder temperatures and low levels of sunshine.
- Anthracnose causes dark tan patches with a purple color center on infected leaves. The petioles, veins of leaves, and stems can also be deformed or yellowish, with brown patches along the veins.
- Root rot appears as blackened roots.
- Leaf spot is dark necrotic lesions on the leaves that are generally circular.
- Fusarium wilting on one side of the plant while healthy growth continues on the other. This ailment is defined by the plant wilting on one side while generally growing on the other.
Pests can attack the moonstone succulent. That is why these issues should be solved as soon as feasible to avoid future plant damage.
The following are pests that can harm your plant:
- Mealybugs are those cottony masses on succulent plant stems, leaves, and roots.
- Spider mites can leave little webs between the moonstone branches or a white residue after bites on your plant.
- Aphids appear as lumps beneath mature yellow leaves, sucking the sap beneath. They can also pierce the moonstone succulent plant’s delicate portions, causing it to wilt quickly.
- Miners of leaves. These pests dig into new growth plants and munch on them, preventing appropriate development and eventually harming your Moonstone succulent.
Mealybugs, aphids, and spider mites can be controlled with water in a spray bottle and diet soap. For leaf miners, use one tablespoon of neem oil per water gallon. Until the problem is resolved, spray your Moonstone plant every three days.
Some individuals advise pruning all dead moonstone succulent plant portions. This will eliminate potential bug hiding places and deter new ones from entering.
When caring for moonstone succulents like bright pink, it is not recommended to use commonly used insecticides because they may harm the plant’s health. Otherwise, make sure they’re safe to use with this sort of plant before using them.
Succulent propagation is a simple, enjoyable, and cost-effective way to grow your collection. Every succulent species may be propagated, and all you need is the succulent pot, soil, light and water requirements, a little patience, and knowledge of how to propagate it step-by-step. Some succulent lovers might also use rooting hormones or a tablespoon of raw, organic honey to encourage root growth.
