Cotyledon octopus profile

Cotyledon octopus is native to Cape Province, South Africa. The leaves of Cotyledon octopus are reduced into strips, which may be related to the environment of origin. The plant of Cotyledon octopus is an upright fleshy shrub, which is not too tall.

Cotyledon octopus picture

Morphological features of the Cotyledon octopus

Cotyledon octopus is native to Cape Province, South Africa. The leaves of cotyledon octopus are reduced into strips, which may be related to the environment of origin. The plant of Cotyledon octopus is an upright fleshy shrub, which is not too tall. Leaves are opposite, long, leaf tip has a slight wrinkle, leaf surface has a layer of blue-white powder. The top edge of the leaf turns red in bright light. Spring and summer flowering, cymose panicle, higher inflorescences, floret tubular pendant, orange, flower buds look like a small pepper.

Ecological habits of the Cotyledon octopus

Cotyledon octopus requires full sunlight and a cool, dry environment, tolerant to semi-shade, afraid of waterlogging, and avoids hot and humid weather. It has the habit of growing in the cold season and dormant in high temperature in summer.  

The propagation method of the Cotyledon octopus

Cotyledon octopus cuttings are even simpler. Healthy old branches are planted in slightly wet sandy soil. Shady and Ventilated 15 to 20 days basic roots, cuttings should choose spring and autumn, leaf reproduction in addition to winter, other times.

How to grow and care for Cotyledon octopus

In a full sun room. Keep the soil slightly wet during the growing period to avoid water accumulation. The soil is made of coal cinder mixed with peat and a small amount of perlite in a ratio of about 6:3:1. The surface of the soil is paved with small stones.

Cotyledon octopus can withstand the low temperature of about minus 2℃ when the basin soil is dry, which is the indoor temperature but not the open air. Then the top growth point of the low leaf will appear frostbite, dry and even die. As long as the trunk is not dead, it will re-germinate new lateral branches in the withered place. The whole winter basic water, 5 degrees below will begin to slowly cut off water.

When the summer temperature exceeded 35℃, the whole Cotyledon octopus plant growth basically stopped. At this time we should reduce watering to prevent root rot caused by excessive moisture of basin soil. And strengthen ventilation, appropriate shade, avoid hot sun exposure, the basic maintenance throughout the summer, it is worth noting that summer, not the whole season are off water, is only to trace water, about 2 times a month, in the evening about 7-9 water supply, this time the sun has gone down the mountain, will not affect the roots of plants.

Rain should be avoided in cultivation, or the white powder will fall off the leaves. Cotyledon octopus is potted every 2 ~ 4 years, before the first watering in early spring. Cotyledon octopus plant shape is not too small, branched, can be cut cuttings and plant division, also can leaf propagation. Leaves tiled on the soil surface, cool and ventilated can be, do not pay attention to, slowly grow new leaves.