Graptosedum Graptosedum ‘Alpenglow’ is a cultivar obtained by crossing a plant of the genus Graptopetalum with another of the genus Sedum belonging to the family Crassulaceae.
It is widely cultivated throughout the world for the beauty of its foliage, extreme resistance, and multiplication.
It is considered one of the most resistant cultivars obtained today.
The popular name of Twilight is given to the reddish coloration of its leaves that resemble the present on the horizon during sunrise or sunset.
This cultivar is characterized by forming very branched stems and generally crawlers that develop numerous compact rosettes of great beauty.
The ramifications generally arise from the scars of the leaves that have already withered and fallen.
The stems have a light brown coloration with numerous darker scars.
It is widely used to decorate and cover rocky lands of xerojardines or to grow in pots and planters.
The leaves are arranged in very compact rosettes, are very fleshy, have a lanceolate shape with an acute or slightly rounded apex, measure +/- 2.5 cm long and have a light green coloration in the early stages of development and then take green colorations.
Reddish very conspicuous.
The leaves of this cultivar have a high potential for asexual multiplication, that is, more than 90% of the leaves removed form roots and new rosettes.
The flowers are not very striking but they contribute a small aesthetic value to the plant.
These appear on the sides of the rosettes, are small in size, have a starry shape and have a yellowish-white corolla.
Tips to take care of the Graptosedum ‘Alpenglow’
Graptosedum ‘Alpenglow’ is considered one of the most resistant succulents known to be ideal for beginners in the cultivation of succulent plants.
Then your basic care:
Illumination
It needs a lot of light to take the typical reddish coloration of its leaves. It is recommended to expose it completely to the sun in the morning and in the late afternoon.
Protect it from the direct sun of noon to avoid burns in the foliage.
Temperatures
It requires warm temperatures to obtain optimum growth.
Its optimum range should range between 15-30 ° C. Temperatures below 5 ° C rot its roots and cause the death of the plant.
Side view of the Twilight plant rosette, x Graptosedum ‘Vera Higgins’
Substratum
It is very tolerant of various substrates as long as they have perfect drainage.
It is recommended to sow on rocky substrates or specially prepared for cacti and succulents.
Irrigation Frequency
Water when the substrate is completely dry.
It is a species very resistant to drought but the lack of prolonged water causes the fall of the basal leaves (affects aesthetics).
In winter we should water much less to avoid rot.
Plagues and diseases
It is sometimes attacked by mealybugs, aphids and mollusks that we must control quickly.
Some birds can bore their foliage.
Fungi rot their roots when the humidity is excessive and is maintained for a long time.
Multiplication
It is easily multiplied by cuttings of stems and leaves.
Almost all the leaves form new plants being a super effective mechanism for the multiplication of this plant.
Conclusion
This pink succulent is a Graptopetalum and Sedum hybrid.
As it grows tall, it will trail over a planter or create a ground cover in a garden.
Graptosedum ‘Alpenglow’ is a stunning hybrid with lovely colored rosettes that will spread indefinitely to fill a pot or form a mat.
Basic need for this plant is well-drained soil, light soil, can grow in hardiness zone of 9b-10a but be aware that the plant might die and need to cover in the winter, few days of frost in winter it can survive but better that the days won’t be together and better to grow it in hardiness zone 10b+.