How to grow sempervivum

1. Breeding methods

1. Soil: Sempervivum grows best in acidic soil. An environment with loose soil and good drainage is conducive to its development. High soil viscosity will cause root rot, leaf fall, etc. You can mix leaf mold, garden soil and river sand in a ratio of 2:2:1, and add a small amount of bone meal as base fertilizer.

2. Light: Sempervivum needs sufficient light all year round. However, it should be properly shaded in summer to avoid exposure to strong sunlight, otherwise the leaves will turn yellow and fall off. If there is insufficient light, the plant will be thin, the leaves will be too thin, and the number of flowers will be greatly reduced.

3. Temperature: The suitable temperature for Sempervivum is 20-25℃. Too high or too low temperature will cause it to stop growing. The temperature needs to be kept above 12℃ in winter, otherwise the edges of the leaves will turn red and the flowering time will be delayed.

4. Watering: Sempervivum itself has good drought resistance. Generally, watering once every 2-3 days is sufficient, and the amount of water should not be too much. In high temperature weather, you can water the plants once every evening, and reduce watering in winter.

5. Fertilization: Apply a thin liquid fertilizer to the Sempervivum every 2-3 weeks. In addition, applying phosphorus fertilizer after flower buds appear can increase the number of flowers and prolong the flowering period.

2. Breeding techniques

1. Cutting: Cutting is a method of propagation with a higher survival rate for Sempervivum, and is usually carried out in spring or late summer. Cut a fleshy stem about 5 cm long, insert it into the seedbed, water it, cover it with a film to keep it warm, it will take root in about two weeks, and transplant it after one month.

2. Sowing: Sowing requires selecting similar varieties for artificial pollination. After collecting the seeds, sow them in spring or autumn, using a mixture of leaf mold, garden soil and humus as the substrate. Sow seeds on the soil surface, then cover with fine soil and wrap with film to keep warm. The film can be removed once every morning and evening to allow it to breathe. Generally, new shoots will grow within two weeks.

3. Pest and disease control

The main diseases are powdery mildew and leaf blight, which can be controlled with mancozeb solution. The insect pests are scale insects and aphids, which will damage leaves and tender shoots. They can be killed by spraying with a solution of malathion emulsifiable concentrate.