×Graptoveria 'Fantome'

Scientific Name

×Graptoveria 'Fantome'

Synonym(s)

×Graptoveria 'Fantôme'

Scientific Classification

Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
Tribe: Sedeae
Nothogenus: ×Graptoveria

Origin

This succulent is a hybrid that results from a cross between Graptopetalum paraguayense and Echeveria elegant. The creator is unknown.

Description

×Graptoveria 'Fantome' is a small succulent that forms rosettes of thick fleshy leaves at the end of decumbent or pendent stems. It grows solitary or sparsely branched. The stems are light grayish-brown and grow up to 20 inches (50 cm) long and 0.6 inches (1.5 cm) in diameter, lacking leaves lower down. The rosettes are up to 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter and produce offsets with a long stalk in the leaf axils. Leaves are spoon-shaped with a short sharp point at the apex, ascending, later recurved, up to 2.8 inches (7 cm) long and 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide. They are light bluish, often pinkish, with paler margins, and covered with a whitish bloom.

Flowers are star-shaped, yellow, sometimes pinkish outside, and appear in a single or forked cincinnus on reddish-green stalks in spring and early summer. They often open imperfectly.

How to Grow and Care for ×Graptoveria 'Fantome'

Light: ×G. 'Fantome' prefers full sun to partial shade. If you move your plant outside in the spring, do it gradually. The intense afternoon sun can cause sunburn. During the winter, when the plant is inside, place it near the brightest window in your home. It will stretch if it does not have enough sunlight.

Soil: This succulent needs a potting soil mix that drains quickly. Many growers will create their own mix. However, commercial succulent potting mixes will work fine.

Temperature: This plant is a tender succulent, which means it must be brought indoors for the winter to survive. ×G. 'Fantome' can withstand temperatures as low as 25 °F (-3.9 °C). USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 9b to 11b, 25 to 50 °F (-3.9 to 10 °C).

Watering: Provide moderate amounts of water from spring to fall. The "soak and dry" method is the preferred schedule for watering ×G. 'Fantome'. If you have saucers under the pots, make sure after a short time to empty the water. Water your plant just enough to keep it from shriveling during winter.

Fertilizing: ×G. 'Fantome' grows well without fertilizer. Still, it may benefit from the extra nutrients. Use a slow-release fertilizer in spring or a liquid fertilizer diluted 2 to 4 times more than usual and used less often than recommended.

Repotting: Repot the plant only as needed during spring or early summer when it is actively growing. To repot your ×G. 'Fantome', ensure the soil is dry before repotting.

Propagation: This succulent is propagated from leaf or stem cuttings. Spring is the best time to take cuttings.

Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Echeveria.

Toxicity of ×Graptoveria 'Fantome'

×G. 'Fantome' has no toxic effects reported. It is safe around pets and humans, although it is not advisable to eat it.

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