Short-sepal bitter-root Lewisia brachycalyx

Water

Short-leaved Lewisia requires careful watering to prevent root rot while ensuring the soil doesn't completely dry out. During the growing season, water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry, approximately once or twice a week, with about 16 ounces of water each time. In winter, reduce watering to every few weeks, ensuring the soil is mostly dry before adding water. Do not let water sit in the rosette of the plant as this can cause disease.

Light

Short-leaved Lewisia thrives best in bright, indirect light and can tolerate some morning sun. A spot that receives filtered sunlight or a little shade during the hottest parts of the day is ideal. Avoiding intense afternoon sun prevents leaf scorch and helps maintain vibrant foliage color.

Temperature

Short-leaved Lewisia prefers moderate to cool temperatures, thriving between 40°F and 75°F. It can survive brief periods of colder temperatures down to 20°F but should be protected from prolonged freezes. During hot summers, it's essential to provide extra shade to keep the temperature within the ideal range.

Pruning

Short-leaved Lewisia benefits from light pruning to remove spent flowers and encourage further blooming. Pruning is also necessary to remove any damaged or diseased foliage. The best time for pruning is immediately after the main bloom cycle, typically in late spring or early summer, to prepare the plant for potential secondary blooms.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

The best soil mix for Lewisia brachycalyx, commonly known as Short-sepaled lewisia, should be well-draining and gritty with a slightly acidic to neutral pH range of 5.5 to 7.0. A mixture of potting soil, coarse sand, and fine pumice or perlite in equal parts is recommended to provide the right balance of drainage and moisture retention for this alpine plant.

Repotting

Short-sepaled lewisia does not require frequent repotting and can be repotted every 2-3 years or when the plant visibly outgrows its container. It's best to repot in the spring just as the plant is coming out of dormancy and before the growing season begins.

Humidity & Misting

Short-sepaled lewisia prefers moderate humidity levels, as conditions too damp can lead to rot. Aim for humidity levels between 40-50%, which are typical of many indoor environments, to keep this plant healthy without the need for extra humidity measures.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Grow Short-sepaled lewisia in bright light, well-draining mix, moderate humidity.

• Outdoor

  Place Short-sepaled lewisia in full sun to part shade, rocky soil.

• Hardiness zone

  4-8 USDA

Life cycle

Lewisia brachycalyx, commonly known as the short-sepaled lewisia, begins its life as a seed that germinates when conditions are optimal, usually in damp, well-draining soils. After germination, it develops a rosette of fleshy, evergreen leaves from which a flower stalk emerges, typically in late spring to early summer. The flowers of the short-sepaled lewisia are distinctive, with pink to white petals often marked with darker veins, and once pollination occurs, these flowers will develop into fruit capsules. Seeds are dispersed from the mature capsules, spreading to new locations where they can germinate. Being a perennial, the plant will go into dormancy in the late fall and winter, withdrawing energy back into its tuberous root to survive the cold. With the return of favorable conditions in the spring, Lewisia brachycalyx will break dormancy, resuming growth and completing its life cycle annually.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-early summer

• Propogation: Lewisia brachycalyx, commonly known as the Short-sepal lewisia, is often propagated through seed sowing. The most popular method to propagate this mountainous perennial is by sowing its seeds directly into the soil. This is typically done in the fall to allow the cold season to stratify the seeds naturally, enhancing germination that occurs in the spring. To sow seeds, they should be lightly covered with a fine layer of soil or vermiculite. The seeds require well-draining soil and should not be kept too wet to prevent rot. It is essential to provide a cold period, either through natural outdoor temperatures or by artificial stratification in a refrigerator, approximately 4 degrees Celsius (39 degrees Fahrenheit), for a few weeks before expecting germination. Seedlings usually appear with the warming temperatures of spring.