Dragons Blood Stonecrop Hylotelephium 'Red Cauli'

Water

Stonecrop 'Red Cauli', like other sedums, requires minimal watering due to its drought-tolerant nature. Water the plant deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Depending on the temperature and humidity in your area, this may translate to watering approximately once every 1-2 weeks. When you do water, provide enough water to soak the soil to a depth of about an inch. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so it's important not to leave the plant in standing water. During the winter, when the plant is dormant, reduce watering further to prevent any potential issues from excessive moisture.

Light

Stonecrop 'Red Cauli' thrives best in full sun conditions where it receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. The ideal spot for this plant is in a location that provides bright, unfiltered sunlight for most of the day. If you are growing it indoors, place it near a south-facing window where it can bask in plenty of natural light. Adequate sunlight is crucial for the plant to develop its characteristic rich, red hues.

Temperature

Stonecrop 'Red Cauli' is hardy and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. It prefers a comfortable growing temperature between 65°F and 75°F during its active growing season. However, it is capable of withstanding temperatures as low as 40°F and as high as 90°F. It is important to protect the plant from extreme cold, as it may not survive temperatures that drop significantly below freezing.

Pruning

Pruning Stonecrop 'Red Cauli' is primarily done to remove dead or damaged foliage and to maintain its compact, tidy shape. Prune in the early spring to encourage new growth and to remove any foliage damaged by winter weather. It is also advisable to deadhead spent blooms to promote additional flowering and to prevent self-seeding if desired. Pruning can be done once a year or as needed to manage the plant's size and appearance.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Autumn Joy Sedum thrives in well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH between 6.0 and 7.0. An ideal soil mix for this sedum would be equal parts potting soil, coarse sand, and peat moss or compost. This combination promotes good drainage while providing enough organic matter for nutrients.

Repotting

Autumn Joy Sedum should be repotted every 2-3 years to refresh the soil and provide room for growth. Choose a pot only slightly larger than the current one, as too much space can cause excess moisture retention.

Humidity & Misting

Autumn Joy Sedum prefers a dry to average humidity environment. Excess humidity can lead to fungal diseases, so it is best to maintain humidity levels that are typical of indoor conditions without additional misting.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place in bright light, water sparingly.

• Outdoor

  Full sun, well-drained soil, minimal water.

• Hardiness zone

  3-9 USDA

Life cycle

Hylotelephium 'Red Cauli', more commonly known as Stonecrop, begins its lifecycle with seed germination which typically occurs in spring under favorable conditions of warmth and moisture. The seedlings develop into juvenile plants with thick, fleshy leaves that store water, adapting them to periods of drought. During the growing season, Stonecrop progresses through vegetative growth, where it forms a clump of stems and leaves, and then enters the flowering stage in late summer to fall, producing clusters of star-shaped, reddish-pink flowers. After pollination, typically by bees and butterflies, the flowers set seed which can disperse near the parent plant to produce new individuals. In winter, the above-ground parts of Stonecrop may die back, especially in colder climates, but the root system remains alive, allowing the plant to regrow the following spring. Throughout its life, Stonecrop can also propagate asexually through cuttings or division, where parts of the plant separate and develop into new plants.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• Propogation: Hylotelephium 'Red Cauli', commonly known as Stonecrop, is best propagated using the leaf or stem cutting method during late spring to early summer. This method involves taking healthy cuttings from an established plant. You should cut a stem about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) long or pick healthy, plump leaves. Allow the cut ends to callous over for a few days before placing them in soil. You can lay the leaf on top of the soil or insert the stem cutting into well-draining soil mix. Keep the soil slightly moist but not wet, and in a few weeks, the cuttings should root, giving rise to new Stonecrop plants. This popular technique leverages the plant's hardy nature and quick rooting ability, making it a favorite among gardeners for propagation.