Greenovia pandora is a fabulous succulent which are endemic to the Canary Islands. Greenovia plants are usually monocarpic plants that means they flower only once in their lifetime and perish after that.
Caring for the Greenovia pandora is very similar to the way you look after other succulents and cactus. So let us find them in detail.
How do I identify Greenovia pandora?
They look just like a rose flower. They have a squatted foliage. The leaves are packed together to resemble the shape of a rose flower.
Greenovia pandora leaves have a rose tinge. Those leaves would be fleshy and smooth to the touch. Besides they would tend to take an oval or paddle shape.
Greenovia pandora would reach a maximum height of 6 inches ( 15.2 cm) once they fully grow to their maximum potential.
Moreover, they would produce blooms in gray. They would further produce pups around the plants as well.
Growth rate
Greenovia pandora usually grow at a moderate faster rate.
One look care guide
| Botanical Name | Greenovia pandora |
| Plant Type | Succulent |
| Mature Size | 6 inches in height |
| Sun Exposure | Full sunlight to partial shade |
| Soil Type | Well draining |
| Soil pH | Neutral |
| Bloom Time | Spring |
| Hardiness Zones | USDA hardiness zones – 10a-11b. |
| Native Area | Canary Islands |
| Toxicity | Non toxic |
| Average price | $ 5 – 7 |
How do you take care of Greenovia pandora?
Light Requirement
Greenovia pandora require strong sunlight levels to thrive healthily. However, you need to avoid exposing them to direct sunlight.
If you accidently expose them to direct sunlight, it will result in scorching. Greenovia pandora are somewhat vulnerable for sunburns.
Hence you need to protect them from such unhealthy conditions. A bright sunny windowsill will suit the Greenovia pandora the best.
Having said that if they still lack sufficient sunlight, you can use grow lights to supplement additional sunlight for them.
Alternatively, you can bring them outdoors and place them on a patio or balcony as well.
However, when you do the shifting, make sure that you allow some time for the Greenovia pandora to adjust to those conditions. If you expose them to full sunlight all of a sudden, it would be traumatizing for them.
Temperature and humidity
Greenovia pandora go through aestivation every year. Literally if they go through temperatures above 95 degrees Fahrenheit , their leaves will curl so that they can conserve the water they have.
You can call this condition as aestivation. Greenovia pandora would be literally in sleeping mode when the winter arrives.
Is it cold hardy?
USDA Hardiness Zone
Greenovia pandora ‘s preferred hardiness zone is USDA hardiness zones – 10a-11b.
Watering Requirement
Greenovia pandora have minimal water requirements just like the rest of other succulents and cactus.
They will thrive well with moderate water levels. They need a little more water during summer as the temperatures would be higher during these times.
That will make the plants evaporate water faster. If you make them deprived of water for too long, it will create an unhealthy impact on the plants.
On the other hand, you can suspend watering them or water them just once a month if they are too dry.. Further when watering, do not spill any on the plants as then it would lead to rot.
Never feed them when their soil is moist. If you wish to ascertain whether it is dry, you can simply poke your finger into the soil and check on the soil condition.
If they dry, you may resume watering them. On the other hand, if it is moist , best is to wait for another two days and then commence watering.
Soil Requirement Type / pH
The right soil mix to grow the Greenovia pandora should ideally have a good drainage and a good aeration.
Further it should ideally contain some organic matter and granite as well. Moreover, you can consider adding substances such as peat vermiculture or another granular material for this purpose.
If you grow them in a regular soil mix which has poor drainage , it will make the plants more susceptible for root rot etc. Alternatively, you may use a standard cactus or a succulent soil mix also to grow them.
Pot size Potting and Repotting
You should go ahead with a pot which has ample drainage to grow the Greenovia pandora plants which will consequently allow the excess moisture to drain away from the pots.
Unless it would lead to excess moisture building up around the roots and lead for root rot. When it comes to repotting, you may do it less often such as once every two years.
Having said that if your precious Greenovia pandora have experienced any pest attacks or if they have outgrown from the pots, best is to conduct repotting them.
Fertilizer requirements
Greenovia pandora are self-sustaining plants which literally means they can survive on their own. However, a light feeding would be quite effective for the plants as it would boost the growth of the plants.
Spring is the ideal season to apply the fertilizers. However, when you apply the fertilizers, ensure that you dilute them and then apply so that it will not lead to feed burns.
Dormancy
Toxicity
Greenovia pandora are not toxic to humans or pets.
Common bugs and illnesses
Greenovia pandora are strong contenders when it comes to resisting pests’ attacks and diseases. With that being said, the lapses in the care treatment would make them susceptible for pest’s attacks.
For example, if there are over watering conditions in the plants, pests such as aphids, mealybugs, scales would tend to invade them.
Can you propagate Greenovia?
I recommend conducting offset propagation for the Greenovia pandora plants. You could spot them forming the offsets around the base of the plants.
All you need to do is to separate them from the mother plants and then grow them individually in separate pots.
When separating them ensure that you are using all sterile tools as unless it would lead to infections in the plants.
However, they need to be at least one inch in diameter and only then you should grow them as separate plants.
Besides, you may also use the Greenovia pandora cuttings to propagate them. However, the most commonly spotted method in propagation is the offsets propagation.
How do you grow Greenovia seeds?
You can simply sow them in a well-draining soil mix. You may sow them in any kind of soil mix as long as they have good drainage and a good aeration.
Moreover, it needs to have a neutral pH level as well. Best recommended is to sow them in an inorganic soil mix. Further I encourage you to do this in Spring.
Having said that, you can grow them in other seasons also if there are favorable temperature levels. If you grow them in winter, you need to provide them with artificial sunlight for about 15-16 hours of sunlight per day.
When you place them, ensure that you place them evenly on the substrate.. Next cover the seeds along with some soil without burying them with too much soil.
Once you complete placing them, you need to water them lightly too. You could use a spray bottle for this purpose too.
As the next step, you need to cover the pot with a plastic wrap so that the humidity will retain within the specimen. Make sure you maintain a temperature of 20°C-25°C (68°F-76°F) during daytime.
On the other hand, a temperature range of 15°C (59°F) would work in the nighttime. Germination would take place from 7-21 days.
Ensure that you place it in a light shade at the start. After some time you can leave them in full sunlight whilst ensuring that you slowly make them accustomed to full sunlight. Now you may consider transplanting them into individual pots.
Conclusion
Greenovia pandora plants are such trendy low maintenance plants which will grace your landscape. Hope now you are well aware of how to grow them as well. So start growing these super cute little fellas and experience it by yourself !
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