Happy or etiolated?

11 years ago

These guys lived inside for awhile, but I finally put them outside because they looked so wimpy. I think they're happy, but not sure why they're trying to escape the pot. Just moved them to full sun all day

Plants · More Info

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Crenda 10A SW FL

11 years ago

Neil, as I have said in previous posts - I recommend rum and coke. LOL

I'll just share a few pictures for perspective. Some people like to behead, others do not. I've done a little of both.

Here is my Vera Higgins, in full sun, with no pruning. It is sprawling, but healthy.

I beheaded a few of the plants, but not all. Here's what happened. Red arrows point to beheading and new sprouts. Some sprouted, some did not.

I have found little plants that have started on their own from fallen leaves. (Yes, that is my palm print! LOL)

And finally, I will give you a picture of the plant blooming, since you said you have not yet had any flowers.

Hope this helps in some ways!

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Comments (23)

cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
11 years ago
They, or rather, its parents, are naturally-born sprawlers.
suivezmoi
Original Author
11 years ago

Plants · More Info

Plants · More Info

It's still happily crawling out of its pot
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Neil
11 years ago
Are those Vera Higgins?
suivezmoi
Original Author
11 years ago
I have no clue. If they get any flowers I'll post them for an id.
Neil
11 years ago
Suivezmoi- What is the name of your plant? I think it's beautiful. I love when the trail and sprawl like that.

Yours may have some etiolation from being indoors but, this is a good example of when that's okay. (for me anyway) .

Etiolation is usually evident when the space between each set of leaves is too much. If you can fit your finger in between sets of leaves that means it needs more direct sun.

It can also mean that leaves have fallen off which happens quite frequently.

If you study the main rosettes of the plants..yours and the ones CactusMcHarris posted (above)...notice on the last picture posted by him ..you can count from the main rosette at least 5 sets of leaves that are close to each other..creating a "compact" growth. Further down the stem the leaves are more spaced out which others may think is etiolation, but it's not.

On your rosettes, from the picture i only see 2 main sets of leaves the next set is sapced out quite a bit which would indicate some etiolation. I like the look of it and other plants that naturally trail. Others snip off the main rosettes and re-grow them more compactly. Personal choice on how you want to grow them.
Neil
11 years ago
i am trying to post some pictures for you to see...but houzz is not letting me. i will try again in a bit.
Neil
11 years ago
I cannot touch the stem with my finger. Not without snapping off some leaves. This is what we want. compact growth on the rosette.
suivezmoi
Original Author
11 years ago
They've been living in full sun for months now, but they were pretty etiolated when I first moved them outside.
Neil
11 years ago
In this area i can touch the stem. Although this is still technically an etiolation it is not etiolated from lack of light. Etiolation basically means "stretching" And in this case with these trailing plants all it means is that the stem is growing. We do not want the main rosette to be etiolated though.
Neil
11 years ago
Another plant, my Graptosedum ghosty. from the bottom you can count the leaf sets. 5 with a 6th on the way. notice how tight and compact it is. the rest of the stem is bare. This is the part where personal choice comes into play. Some prefer to be-head the rosette and root it and grow it more low in the container. I prefer it this way.
Neil
11 years ago
another shot
Neil
11 years ago
On this plant the main rosette is still compact. Notice by the 3rd set of leaves and downward the leaves are starting to lay flat. They will eventually detach or fall off. The stem is growing taller so this is natural.
Neil
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
On this plant the rosette has 9 or 10 sets of leaves that are still compact. Notice the lower leaves though. they are starting to shrink up a bit and shrivel. That's normal. You can pull those off. go up at least three sets of leaves and you can propagate those.

New little plantlets may form where the leaves fell from or where you detached (upper right of pic)
Neil
11 years ago
This is a crested form of Graptopetalum paraguayense. it has 8 clustered leaves forming the rosette. Again, this will change with growth. Nothing to be alarmed over.
Neil
11 years ago
This plant shows an etiolation that is not welcome. This type of etiolation happens because the plant did not receive adequate light. This is not a normal growth habit for this plant. This is something as plant lovers we don't like to see because it means the plant was neglected or abused. This plant is one i rescued from a bad situation, i didn't do it, lol.
Neil
11 years ago
This is how the plant should look when given the correct amount of light. Notice how close the leaves are together and how you can barely see the stem. This is a Sedum Pachyphyllum. --- That's all i got! I hope how i explained it made sense : )
Neil
11 years ago
Suivezmoi- Forgive me as I lose my mind! The second set of pictures..you also posted. I thought it was CactusMcHarris' photos. lol.
Neil
11 years ago
I just noticed my mistake now. I think i need to drink heavily again!
Neil
11 years ago
One last pic for you (i promise) this is the reason i prefer not to clip my rosettes off! These are some of my ghostys on my balcony. I like the they way they grow like tentacles.
kathi_mdgd
11 years ago
Love those Neil,i have several pots of these hanging around,i love them and the colors they turn and the way they trail off on their own.Have some in pots by themselves,and some in mixed pots.

To the op,yours are fine,natural habit,you may have to add a rock to the pot to keep it from topping over.

kathi
Neil
11 years ago
Crenda- Very nice thanks for posting those. do you have any other graptos?

Kathi- Thank you. You know I know that you have nearly everything, lol. I will take your advice about the rock!

Crenda- No drinking for me as i've PASSED the legal age long ago : )
Neil
11 years ago
Suivezmoi- Your first pic...the leaf shape looks like graptopetalum paraguayense too, the coloration with the deep pink/burgundy is really nice. Maybe someone could confirm the plant for us.