The Corpuscularia Lehmannii is commonly known as the ice plant because of its ice-crystal-shaped leaves, although it is not resistant to cold. Most gardeners love this plant because of its unique appearance.
To know more about this beautiful plant that can bring a bright touch to your home, continue reading this article.
Contents
What Is Corpuscularia Lehmannii?
Corpuscularia Lehmannii is an indoor plant that is intolerant to frost. It grows well in full sun. The ice plant succulent belongs to the Aizoaceae family and is native to South Africa.
The plant is not toxic to pets and human beings, so you are free to place it anywhere in your house.
Corpuscularia Lehmannii Care
The ice plant is less expensive to care for as you need a few affordable requirements. Not much of your time is spent growing and maintaining the Corpuscularia Lehmannii, making it an easy-care plant, even for beginners. Although Lehmannii is relatively easy to care for, you need enough knowledge to reduce the risk of failure.
– Water
Water is essential for every plant, and Corpuscularia Lehmannii is no exception. However, if you fail to follow the Corpuscularia Lehmannii’s watering requirements, the plant can die.
This ice plant does not need to be watered frequently. Check the substrate first to see if the top two to three inches are dry before the next watering. This will assist you in avoiding waterlogging the soil conditions that may cause root rot and expose the Lehmannii to fungal infections.
Soak and Dry Method
You should employ the soak and dry method, whereby you thoroughly water your plant and then wait for some time for the topsoil to dry before watering it again. You should grow the Corpuscularia Lehmannii plant in well-draining soil like any other succulent.
Alternatively, you can immerse the pot in water so that the plant roots can draw the water through the pot’s drain holes.
– Light
The Corpuscularia Lehmannii requires full sun for it to grow well. By staying in full sun, the plant will be hardened to withstand harsh conditions like drought. However, the plant can also thrive in partial shade, where it can still maintain its greenish color.
If you are growing Corpuscularia Lehmannii indoors, place it close to a window that faces the direction of the sunlight. Remember to rotate the plant to ensure that all sides receive equal light that enhances even growth. You should make sure the succulent gets enough sunlight for about two and a half hours a day.
– Soil
Your Corpuscularia Lehmannii requires well-draining soil that allows for proper air circulation. If you are growing Corpuscularia Lehmannii indoors, consider using a potting mix as it drains water quickly and is also free from pests and diseases.
You can also disinfect the mix before planting your succulents to avoid a proliferation of pathogens. Consider adding a bit of sand to improve the structure of your cactus potting mix, and it should be rich in nutrients for the benefit of plant growth.
Poorly draining soils can cause rotting of the radical system, and the Lehmannii can eventually die. The plant can thrive in soil that has a neutral pH.
– Temperature
The Corpuscularia Lehmannii plant is intolerant to frost, so you should grow it in a pot if you live in climates that experience frost. The pot will also help you move your Lehmannii succulent outside when there is sunlight and indoors when temperatures fall below 30 F.
– Fertilizer
Corpuscularia Lehmannii requires more nitrogen. You should supplement the nitrogen requirements of your plant by adding nitrogen-rich liquid fertilizers that are specifically for succulents to enhance fuller growth.
We commend that you dilute the fertilizer with irrigation water to half-strength so that you avoid the risk of burning the plant’s foliage. Apply the fertilizer not more than twice per month, most preferably in the summer and spring.
– Pruning
The ice plant does not necessarily need pruning, but you can remove the dead leaves and flowers to maintain its beauty.
– Repotting
Although it is not advisable to repot the Corpuscularia Lehmannii succulent, you can do so if the pot is becoming small for the plant. This helps the plant to develop its roots freely. You can also repot if the mix is old enough that it needs changing.
Repotting the Lehmannii plant may result in root damage that might negatively affect plant health. Therefore, extra care is mandatory. Spring and summer are the best times to repot so that the succulent will have ample time to recover before entering the dormancy period in winter.
Tips to Improve Drainage
Your potting soil should be new, with added perlite, pumice, and sand to improve drainage. Make sure the pot is new and big enough for the roots of your plant to spread and grow freely. The draining holes should be enough in relation to the size of the pot.
After repotting, water the Corpuscularia Lehmannii plant thoroughly. We recommend that you do not repot the Lehmannii if it’s not important so as not to disturb the plant growth.
Propagation
Stem cuttings and seeds can be used to propagate Corpuscularia Lehmannii. These are the easiest methods of growing and multiplying your ice plant. If you are a beginner, we recommend using cuttings as it is the fastest method that produces results in no time.
You can try using seeds at your own time if you want to experiment while your garden or house is already shining with the succulent. Propagation should be done in all other seasons except winter, as the plant will be dormant during the latter.
– Propagation Using Seeds
Using seeds takes a long time to have your own plant, but the process is relatively easy. You need your seed starter trays; small pots will also do. Put your soil in your tray or pot, making sure that it’s moist; otherwise, your seeds might not germinate.
Sprinkle Corpuscularia Lehmannii seeds over the succulent mix, and then place your pots in full sun for many hours of the day.
The expected maximum time frame for germination is eight weeks. However, you should allow the young plants to grow for a few more weeks until they are ready to be transplanted. Transplanting is only necessary if the seedlings are in a starter tray.
– Propagation Using Stems
Prudent choices should be made when selecting the plant cuttings to grow. Choose healthy Corpuscularia Lehmannii plants as sources of your stem cuttings and grow them in a recommended potting mix.
The tools for cutting, be it a pair of scissors or a knife, should be clean, sharp, and sterilized to avoid the risk of infecting the mother plant and the cuttings.
Cut the pieces of the plant stem and allow it to callous for a minimum of 24 hours before planting them in four-inch pots. You can also use the root hormone powder to stimulate the formation of roots on your cuttings.
Tips to Multiply Lehmannii Plants
Plant your Corpuscularia Lehmannii cuttings in succulent potting mix and water them thoroughly. Allow the soil to dry out between the irrigation times. This method of multiplying Lehmannii plants should be practiced in the summer when the plant is still active.
Always remember to take good care of the plants so that the soil will have enough moisture for the development of the roots and shoots. The roots will gradually develop within one month. Make sure you place the Corpuscularia Lehmannii cuttings in full sun once their shoots develop.
Problems
Corpuscularia Lehmannii is not easily affected by pests and diseases. Fungal infections and root rot are the major problems if the plant is not maintained accordingly.
– Fungal Infections
There are many types of fungi that include surface fungi and others that cause internal rots. The surface fungi are easy to identify and treat because they affect the leaves and stems of the Corpuscularia Lehmannii. Sooty mold and gray mold are good examples of surface fungi.
Sooty mold can also be called black mold. The presence of pests like scales, aphids, mealybugs, and whiteflies causes this type of fungal infection. The sooty mold feeds on the honeydew exuded by these pests, and it is not directly harmful to Lehmannii.
Intervention
However, it can stop the Corpuscularia Lehmannii plant from photosynthesizing. To control this infection, you need to use Neem oil.
Gray mold is described as grayish-brown spore masses that affect the leaves and flowers of the damaged, dying, and old Lehmannii succulent. Use fungicides to control this fungal infection. You can also cut out the affected area if the fungicides are not working as expected.
– Fusarium Wilt
Fusarium oxysporum causes this infection. The affected plant will not absorb water, so it wilts and turns yellow. The fungi enter into the plant through the roots and block the tissues. The plant can also die if not attended to in time.
– Leaf and Stem Spots
The leaf and stem spots are caused by fungi, but they are not harmful to the Corpuscularia Lehmannii. Leaf and stem spots can cause minor damage to the plant and disfigure it.
You can use fungicides if the plant does not have permanent spotting. When taking cuttings, be careful not to leave stubs to avoid exposing your plant to attack by fungi.
– Root Rot
This disease is caused by fungal pathogens of the genus Phytophthora and is challenging to treat. Wilting, brown roots, and leaves, as well as being stressed, are the major signs of being affected by the fungi.
The Corpuscularia might also die if not attended to early enough. We recommend that you take good care of the Lehmannii plant to reduce the risk of these fungal diseases.
Intervention
You can remove the affected roots of your Corpuscularia Lehmannii plant and repot it in a new pot with a new potting mix if the roots are still experiencing the problem. Once the stem is affected, you can only propagate the Lehmannii by cutting it slightly above where the rot ended. Doing this will save your beauty.
– Scars
Frost can cause scars to your Corpuscularia Lehmannii succulent. The scars can pave the way for the development of fungi diseases. You can prevent the frost by buying frost protectors to cover your plants.
Features of the Corpuscularia Lehmannii
– Leaves
The Corpuscularia Lehmannii has angular, blue-green leaves that are thick, stacked, fleshy, and the length of each leaf does not exceed one inch.
These leaves are liquid reservoirs that allow the plant to survive during drought.
Corpuscularia Lehmannii leaves can turn reddish when they are exposed to direct sunlight.
– Flower
The small yellow flowers of the Lehmannii plant have translucent petals, and they grow from the stalk, with each flower’s length being less than an inch. The succulent can grow as long and wide as 12 inches upon its full growth.
The Corpuscularia Lehmannii usually blossoms in early summer or late spring, and it produces a maximum of eight chambered fruit capsules containing small seeds.
FAQ
Do you cut back Corpuscularia Lehmannii for the winter?
It’s best not to cut back Corpuscularia Lehmannii for winter. Reduce watering and provide indirect light to help it survive the colder months.
How cold is too cold for Corpuscularia Lehmannii?
Corpuscularia Lehmannii is sensitive to cold temperatures. Avoid exposing it to temperatures below 50°F (10°C) to prevent damage.
Do bees like Corpuscularia Lehmannii?
Bees are not typically attracted to Corpuscularia Lehmannii as it does not produce flowers or nectar that are attractive to pollinators.
Conclusion
It’s time to have your own succulent, start parenting it, and implement the tips you learned from this article. Here is a brief of the important points that should be at your close reach:
- Corpuscularia Lehmannii grows well in full sun and partial shade but is not frost tolerant.
- Too much watering can affect the aeration of the soil, thereby affecting the plant’s growth.
- Fertilizer is essential for providing nitrogen and should be applied twice a month, preferably in summer and spring.
- Corpuscularia Lehmannii can survive drought as it grows hardy in full sun.
- Lehmannii can be propagated using stem cuttings and seeds.
It’s time to brighten your home with this Lehmannii succulent by putting all the advice you learned from this article into action. Order your new plant today and enjoy the beauty of your garden as an expert. Happy parenting!
- Is Leaf Shine Bad for Plants: Know the Products Carefully - September 29, 2023
- 16 White and Black Flowers For a Sophisticated Garden - September 28, 2023
- 20 Full Sun Shrubs That Thrive in Scorching Conditions - September 27, 2023
