Bear paw info

9 years ago

I've had an obsession with a few succulents since I started, and one of them is bear paws. I got a plant at the Gates Succulent Society Show and Sale. It's doing very well and seems to enjoy indirect bright light for right now. But I have questions:

1.) A lot of posts I've seen on them on this forum are people realizing they're rotting. Are they especially prone to rot? How can I avoid rotting?

2.) Propagation. All of my co workers who saw the plant wanted cuttings, but I have no idea how this plant propagates. Some say they have a 6/10 chance of getting a baby plant growing from the end of the leaf, others say you can't get a baby plant from a leaf at all. Stem cuttings?

3.) I'm hoping to transition all my plants outside this summer, so the bees can have at their blooms. But also because growing indoors is difficult to keep balanced. Will they do well in heat? Inland SoCal gets into the 90°s most days. I'm prepared to water often if necessary, but should I risk it at all?

I Love the plant and I want to give it a good life.

Featured Answer

garrett222

9 years ago

Your succulent is called Cotyledon tomentosa. It doesn't propagate with leaves, only by stem. It is most active in winter, and the best time to make cuttings would probably be late fall to early winter, so the roots would start growing immediately. Due to its growing season, water it only sparingly in the summer, and much more in the winter. It may even be able to live off of SoCal's natural rain. They absolutely love heat and require very porous soil.

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Comments (8)

synonymgirl (NJ 7a)
9 years ago
I am just a beginner but I've had some experience with bear paw over the last several months.
- I haven't had any problem with rotting. I did separate my original plant into two pots and one of them died over the winter, I'm guessing from under-watering but not sure. The other one is in good shape.
- Propagation has seemed to be impossible thus far with this plant. I've tried a few times but the leaves just shrivel up and never show any interest in growing roots.
- Can't give you info on the outside q because I've only had mine inside.
Good luck!
shayezone9b thanked synonymgirl (NJ 7a)
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synonymgirl (NJ 7a)
9 years ago
Sorry - posted this before I saw that Garett222 had just posted.
shayezone9b
Original Author
9 years ago
I assumed the stem would grow roots. The base of the leaves seem too small anyways.

@Garrett- should I slowly transition them into the sun, or just plop them out? If they love heat, I feel like they'd really enjoy the backyard.
garrett222
9 years ago
Yes, slowly transition them into the sun. You might want to give them partial shade until the winter. When they are more active, they will want more sun.
shayezone9b thanked garrett222
shayezone9b
Original Author
9 years ago
That's very helpful, thank you!
A Bear
9 years ago
Sorry for bumping an older thread - I've been having issues with mine dropping leaves like crazy, is it because I've given it full light and it's dormant?
garrett222
9 years ago
Probably due to overwatering. They should receive minimal to no watering when dormant