Pachyphytum

Pachyphytum

 

 

tillandsia air plant

Most Popular Types

Moonstones – Pachyphytum oviferum, and P. compactum which has leaves that seemed to have been chiseled,

Light

At least 2 hours of direct sunlight each day. Pachyphytum take on bright hues when kept in direct sunlight. The leaves may develop a protective coating called farina.

Temperatures

Pachyphytum can tolerate high heat, but it will not do well in temps below 45°F. Temps below 20°F will kill the plant.

Watering

Water only when the soil is completely dry. Pachyphytum will have plump leaves when they have enough water, and the leaves become soft when they could use some more. (Don’t confuse this with mushy lower leaves – that means it has had too much water.)

Water at the soil level, not over the plants themselves.

These are summer dormant, so you’ll need to water them more frequently in the winter.

Toxicity

Non-toxic to humans or pets

Growth

Pachyphytum’s growth season is winter. They grow slowly, forming compact clumps. Flowers are typically white with a bit of red, hanging from a tall inflorescence.

Origin

Mexico

Propagation

Stem cuttings or leave cuttings. Allow the cut portion to callous for a couple of days before placing in soil.

Dormancy

Summer dormant

pachyphytum hookeri

Pachyphytum takes on brilliant hues in direct sunlight.

pachyphytum moonstones

Moonstone varieties of Pachyphytum are just the cutest!

pachyphytum compactum

Pachyphytum compactum appears to have chiseled leaves.

Workshops at Growing Hobby

Workshop schedule set for after work hours and on Sunday afternoons. We now have central heating and air to make you more comfortable while you shop and attend workshops.

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Adromischus

Adromischus

We don’t come across many varieites of Adromischus, but we love the ones we do find. Growing Hobby typically has A. cristatus, or Key Lime Pie, in stock.

 

tillandsia air plant

Most Popular Types

Key Lime Pie – Adromischus cristatus, and Plover Eggs plant – A. cooperi

Light

Bright, indirect light

Temperatures

Adromischus is not frost tolerant and should be kept indoors when temps drop to 32°F. It prefers low humidity and is a very slow grower.

Watering

Water only when completely dry.

Toxicity

Toxic to humans and pets

Growth

The Adromischus is a slow grower which may eventually reach 12 inches in height and width.

Origin

South Africa

Propagation

Leaf cuttings

Dormancy

Winter dormant

adromischus hookeri

Plover Eggs plant, or Adromischus hookeri, has speckles similar to the eggs of the plover bird.

adromischus key lime pie

This variety of Adromischus is called Key Lime Pie.

Workshops at Growing Hobby

Workshop schedule set for after work hours and on Sunday afternoons. We now have central heating and air to make you more comfortable while you shop and attend workshops.

Book A Workshop

Serissa – Bonsai

Serissa

There are four types of Serissa, all very good candidates for bonsai training:

Snowrose – dark green leaves, produces tiny white flowers during the growing season
Variegated Serissa – fastest growing of the Serissas, leaves are edged in white
Kyoto Serissa – compact leaves and pink flowers
Exposed Root Serissa – a variety that lends itself to tall exposed roots, often wrapped around a rock

 

tillandsia air plant

Most Popular Types

The most readilly available are the green Tree of a Thousand Stars and variegated varieties.

Light

Serissa does best in morning sun and afternoon shade. It does not like changes in lighting. In winter, plan to keep it in 55°F with bright lighting.

Temperatures

Serissa prefers 50-68°F temperatures. It dislikes changes in light, so be sure to move it indoors gradually as the nights become cooler. If possible, keep the Serissa at 55°F in a bright spot during the winter.

Watering

Serissa should be kept evenly moist.

Toxicity

Non-toxic to humans or pets

Growth

The variegated Serissa japonica is the fastest growing of the varieties. All varieites typically grow to 2-4 ft high in their native environment, making them ideal for bonsai training.

Origin

Sub-tropical woodlands and wet areas of India, China, and Japan.

Propagation

In the spring, you can take a cutting from the hardwood, rather than new growth.

Dormancy

Winter dormant

serissa bonsai root

Exposed root serissa

serissa flower

Serissa is commonly known as snowrose or tree of a thousand stars.

serissa bonsai windswept

windswept serissa bonsai

serissa variegated blooms

Some variegated serissa produce pink flowers.

serissa variegated

Variegated serissa

Workshops at Growing Hobby

Workshop schedule set for after work hours and on Sunday afternoons. We now have central heating and air to make you more comfortable while you shop and attend workshops.

Book A Workshop

Japanese Maple – Bonsai

Japanese Maple

The Acer palmatum, or Japanese Maple, is a favorite of bonsai masters.

 

tillandsia air plant

Most Popular Types

Acer palmatum is the most common Japanese Maple. Other popular ones have smaller leaves: Acer pseudosieboldianu microphyllum and Acer shirasawanum microphylla which is also known as Full Moon Maple.

Light

Morning sun and afternoon shade. The leaves can easily be scorched by the sun.

Temperatures

Japanese Maple prefers to not be in a windy location, particularly during the winter. It can tolerate temperatures down to -10°F for short periods.

Watering

Keep the japanese Maple consistently moist.

Toxicity

Toxic to horses. Non-toxic to humans, dogs, and cats. The leaves are added to some Japanese dishes.

Growth

Planted in the ground, the Japanese Maple can grow 1-2 ft per year. As a bonsai, these trees need growth stunting for at least 10 years before they are ready for training.

Origin

Japan, Korea, Mongolia, China, and southeast Russia

Propagation

Maples can be propagated from cuttings with an expected 50% success rate. They are very easy to grow from seed. Often, seedings can be found beneath the canopy of a mature tree.

Japanese Maples from some garden centers are grafted onto the Acer palmatum, Longer life spans for bonsai-trained Japanese Maples are expected from those grown from cuttings or seed.

Dormancy

Winter dormant. This is considered a four-season tree, as its beauty transforms throughout the year.

jap maple bonsai

Japanese maple bonsai

Japanese maple bonsai

Japanese maple bonsai tree

acer palmatum red dragon

The leaves of the Red Dragon and Crimson Queen are very delicate.

Workshops at Growing Hobby

Workshop schedule set for after work hours and on Sunday afternoons. We now have central heating and air to make you more comfortable while you shop and attend workshops.

Book A Workshop

Chinese Elm

Chinese Elm

Two dwarf varieties of Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia) work well for bonsai training: Hakkaido and Seiju. These hardwood trees are deciduous, but if protected during the fall and winter, can keep leaves all year. The bark provides interest once the leaves have fallen.

 

tillandsia air plant

Most Popular Types

Hokkaido and Seiju dwarf varieties

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temperatures

Chinese elm is winter hardy. If protected before frost hits, it is possible for it to keep its leaves through the year.

Watering

As with all bonsai, keep the Chinese elm consistently moist.

Toxicity

Chinese elm is mildly toxic to cats and dogs, causing vomiting or diarrhea. It does not affect larger animals. Birds and humans can eat the seeds, or samaras, raw or cooked.

Growth

The bonsai varieties Hakkaido and Seiju are dwarf shrubs with small leaves. The bark exfoliates, providing interest in winter months. The Chinese Elm can lose its leaves in the winter, but if protected, it will keep its leaves all year. It has a high tolerance to pruning.

Origin

China, Korea, and Japan

Propagation

Chinese elm is easily propagated from 6 inch cuttings during the summer. Place the cutting ina glass of water until roots appear. Pot in a mixture of loam, peat moss, and sand and keep moist. The tree can also be propagated from seed.

Dormancy

Winter dormant

chinese elm bark

The bark of a mature Chinese elm is very distinctive.

chinese elm bonsai

Chinese elm bonsai

Chinese elm bonsai tree in autumn

bonsai tree of chinese elm in autumn

Chinese elm in autumn

Workshops at Growing Hobby

Workshop schedule set for after work hours and on Sunday afternoons. We now have central heating and air to make you more comfortable while you shop and attend workshops.

Book A Workshop