Graptoveria Debbie is a special hybrid succulent that brings colors such as blueish-purple, pink, and orange to your garden. Even though this plant is very beautiful, it is easy to grow and care for. In this article, you will learn special tips to grow Graptoveria ‘Debbie’.
What Is Graptoveria Debbie?
Graptoveria Debbie is a special succulent that has been named after Debbie Foster, a daughter of Bob Foster. This species is a hybrid of Graptopetalum amethystinum and Echeveria sp.
It is a very beautiful species as it comes in multiple colors. It can be pink, purple, or even orange according to the growing condition. It is among the most common Graptoveria species.
Over the years, this purple succulent has been popular in succulent gardens and containers. It is fairly easy to grow and does not require special care if you already know how to grow succulent plants.
– Features
Some easy ways to identify Graptoveria Debbie
- Rosette: Graptoveria Debbie has a stem in which the leaves are arranged in a rosette pattern. They can grow 6 to 8 inches tall and 8 inches wide. Graptoveria Debbie grows branches, so in time your plant should form dense clumps.
- Leaves: The leaves are lined with an epicuticular wax called “Farina” and they have a powdery appearance. The leaves have a lanceolate shape and are usually bluish-purple. They can become orange or pink according to the growing conditions.
- Flowers: Graptoveria Debbie plants produce small apricot flowers in spring. These flowers can attract hummingbirds.
Easy to recognize, right?
Graptoveria Debbie Care
Who wouldn’t want to grow this succulent Graptoveria? It is easy to grow.
Just stick to the tips below:
– Getting
Graptoveria Debbie is popular amongst succulent gardens and flower shops. This plant is very easy to get. You can get some seeds or seedlings from garden shops or nurseries. You can also get offsets or cuttings from people who grow Graptoveria Debbie nearby.
– Suitable Soil and Potting Mix
The type of soil or potting mix you plant your Graptoveria Debbie is very important to consider. As a succulent, Graptoveria Debbie needs a substrate that can drain water quickly.
When mixing your potting mix, 50-70 percent of the ingredients should be inorganic minerals or grit such as sand, peat, and river stones. The other part of the potting mix should be made of organic matter such as topsoil or compost.
If growing them in containers, you should select pots that have drainage holes for your Graptoveria Debbie. Use wider pots for this succulent as it grows as a large dense clump.
– Light
This special succulent needs full sun. You should grow your Graptoveria Debbie in a place where it can receive six or more hours of direct sunlight daily. It can also tolerate partial shade, but make sure that it is exposed to direct sunlight for at least four hours.
If you grow your Graptoveria Debbie in bright light, you will notice that the leaves are getting orange tones. An orange tone in the already blueish-purple leaves makes your Graptoveria Debbie plants very beautiful.
– Temperature
Graptoveria Debbie grows in the USDA hardiness zone of 9b-11a. The optimum temperature to grow your plant is around 40 F. Graptoveria Debbie cannot survive frost and the minimum temperature you should expose it to is 20 F.
The leaves of your Graptoveria Debbie plants can become pink in cooler months. When the first frost date is approaching, take your plants indoors and grow them on a sunny windowsill. You can also use grow lights if you have them. Remember that most succulents prefer heat to cold.
– Water Requirements
Like every succulent plant, Graptoveria Debbie plants need infrequent watering. You should only water your plants when the soil or potting mix is dry completely. You can dip your hand into the potting mix to check if it is dry. Only water the plants when the potting mix is fully dry.
To water your Graptoveria Debbie plants, give them a complete bath. Pour water on the leaves and let the water flow into the potting mix. When you see water flowing out of the pot through the drainage holes below, you can stop watering the plants.
Water your Graptoveria Debbie in the morning so that the sun can dry the leaves before night. Water that stays on the leaves or surface of the potting mix can attract fungi.
– Nutrient
Give a diluted dose of cactus or succulent fertilizer to your Graptoveria Debbie plants in the growing season. Only give them fertilizer in spring and summer. Do not over-fertilize your plants as they prefer slightly-poor soil to grow. If the organic matter in the soil is still fresh, you do not have to fertilize your plants.
– Repotting
Graptoveria Debbie plants grow densely clumped together. If you grow them in the same pot, you will have to repot regularly (every year or two). The purposes of repotting your plants are:
- To fix the potting mix or soil: If the potting mix is holding more moisture than needed, you need to add more grit.
- To split your Graptoveria Debbie: Your plants may grow larger than the existing pot. If this happens, you have to split them.
- To use a larger pot: In alternative to the suggestion above, if you like the way your plants are densely clumped together, you do not have to split them. Just plant them in a larger pot so that they can keep growing.
Propagation
One cool thing about growing Graptoveria Debbie is that you can get more plants from your already-existing ones. All you have to do is propagate the plant. See some methods to propagate Graptoveria Debbie below:
– Matured Leaves
Did you know that you can use the leaf of your Graptoveria Debbie to get more plants? All you have to do is pluck out a matured leaf, allow it to callus or become dry for three to four days and then place it on a new container with a suitable potting mix. You should notice that new plants are growing from buds in the leaf.
If you get more plants than you need from a leaf, you can remove some and grow them in other containers.
– Offsets
Matured Graptoveria Debbie plants produce young plants or offsets. You can twist and pluck these offsets, and plant them after two or three days.
Only start watering the offset after seven to ten days.
– Stem Cutting
Getting new plants from the stem cutting of your already-existing Graptoveria Debbie is easy. Use garden scissors to cut the stem of your plant rosette and then wait for it to callus for four to five days. You can plant it in a suitable potting mix immediately, or you can dip it in a rooting hormone before you plant it. Water the plant after a week.
– Seeds
A successfully pollinated plant can produce seeds. While you can plant these seeds to get more Graptoveria Debbie plants, it can be difficult as these plants have a low rate of germination. To plant the seeds of your Graptoveria Debbie, place them in a suitable potting mix and cover them in a thin layer of rinsed river sand or any grit of your choice).
Water the seeds by misting. When the seedlings (i.e. germinated seeds) are well-established, you can start watering them like matured plants.
What method of propagation will you try?
Problems
By now, you already know that Graptoveria Debbie plants are not difficult to grow so long as you grow them in the right and optimum conditions. Well, you may face a few challenges when growing Graptoveria Debbie. Some of them are:
– Shriveled Leaves
When you do not give enough water to your Graptoveria Debbie, their leaves start to wrinkle. The leaves of your plants should feel fresh and waxy. If the leaves look dry, flaky, or are dying, you should give your plant more water.
Water your Graptoveria Debbie plants by bathing them completely and waiting until the soil is dry again before watering. When the soil is dry, do not wait for up to three days before watering the plant as it can become thirsty and the leaves start to wrinkle. Remember to water your plants when you bring them indoors for winter.
– Root Rot
Root rot in Graptoveria Debbie is caused by the wrong potting mix and overwatering. The potting mix of your succulents must drain water away quickly. Also, only water the plants as required.
If the potting mix remains wet for a long time, some fungi species can attack the roots of your Graptoveria Debbie. When your plants start dying from the fungi attack, it is known as “Root rot”.
You should repot your Graptoveria Debbie plants and make sure that you grow them in the right potting mix (more inorganic grit than organic matter). Water only when the soil is totally dry to avoid various forms of diseases.
– Pests
Pests such as mealworms, slugs, and snails can attack Graptoveria Debbie plants. Spray pesticides on your plants to repel pests.
You should do whatever you can to prevent pests from reaching your plants as a pest infestation can be deadly to the plants.
FAQ
Is Graptoveria Debbie fast growing?
Graptoveria Debbie is a moderately fast-growing succulent, with steady growth under optimal conditions.
How many days can Graptoveria Debbie go without water?
Graptoveria Debbie can survive without water for around 10-14 days, but it’s best to water it regularly for healthier growth.
When should I repot my Graptoveria Debbie?
You should repot your Graptoveria Debbie when its current pot becomes too small or overcrowded, typically every 1-2 years. Watch for rootbound signs like roots circling the edges or pushing through drainage holes.
Conclusion
Graptoveria Debbie is easy to grow and care for. Just make sure that you grow it under the right conditions. Here are some handy reminders for you:
- Graptoveria debbi grows best in the USDA hardiness zone of 9b-11a.
- 50-70 percent of the potting mix of your succulent should be inorganic minerals or grit such as sand and river stones.
- Water your Graptoveria Debbie infrequently. Only water your plants when the soil is dry completely.
- Graptoveria Debbie can become pink in cooler months. To give your plant an orange tone, grow it in bright light.
- Fertilize your Graptoveria Debbie in the growing season. Use half-strength fertilizer.
You definitely need this plant in your succulent garden as it can add blueish-purple, pink, and even orange colors to the garden. Use our detailed guide to successfully grow your Graptoveria Debbie.
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