Scientific Name
×Graptosedum 'Francesco Baldi'
Synonym(s)
×Graptosedum 'Blue Pearl', ×Graptosedum 'Darley Sunshine', ×Graptosedum 'Edelfrau', ×Graptoveria 'Frostbite', ×Graptosedum 'Pink Beauty', ×Graptoveria 'Van Keppel', ×Sedeveria 'Doinet', ×Sedeveria 'Starburst'
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
Tribe: Sedeae
Nothogenus: ×Graptosedum
Description
×Graptosedum 'Francesco Baldi', also sold as ×Graptosedum 'Darley Sunshine', is a popular succulent that forms rosettes at the tips of hanging, ever-lengthening stems, creating a spreading, up to 6 inches (15 cm) tall colony. The rosettes grow up to 5 inches (12.5 cm) in diameter. Leaves are thick, fleshy, glaucous, lance-shaped, and up to 3 inches (7.5 cm) long. When grown in partial shade, the leaves tend to be blue-grey, while in full sun, they are pinkish-grey. During the winter, the leaves take a brownish-purple tinge.
Flowers are yellow, star-shaped, up to 0.8 inches (2 cm) across, and appear on up to 6 inches (15 cm) long stems with 2 to 6 branches, each with 3 to 14 flowers.
Origin
×Graptosedum 'Francesco Baldi' is a hybrid resulting from a cross between Graptopetalum paraguayense and Sedum pachyphyllum. It was named by Ray Stephenson after the founder member of the Sedum Society, Dr. Francesco Baldi (1917-2003). The origin is unknown.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 9a to 11b: from 20 °F (−6.7 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
The rules for Graptopetalums care are similar to those for most succulents. All require lots of sunlight to look their best. They need gritty, porous soil with excellent drainage. Water regularly over summer, letting the soil dry out between waterings. Minimal water is required over winter. Overwatering is a cause of root rots, and the plant can get several pest infestations. Fertilize once during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer diluted to 1/4 strength.
Graptopetalums are generally easily propagated by seeds, leaf cuttings, or offsets. Any rosette that breaks off has the potential to root and start a new plant. Even a leaf that drops off will quickly root below the parent plant and produce a new rosette. The new plant feeds off the leaf until it shrivels and falls off. By then, the new little plant had rooted and sprouted new leaves.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Graptopetalum.
Forms
Links
- Back to nothogenus ×Graptosedum
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
Photo Gallery
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