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Friday, November 21, 2008

Watching my Aeonium die...

A lot of you will remember my beautiful, thriving Bronze Tea Cup Aeonium that I had bought about a year ago (gosh, it seems longer)! It was so gorgeous and I was so happy to have it. Oh my goodness how I wanted it to grow tall and tree-like so I could have that stunning specimen sitting on my porch...right by the front door! Here is how she looked then...


And here is how she looks NOW! I have tried everything. Changing watering schedule, fertilizer, re-potting, change in light levels. I don't think I can save it. Sadly. Maybe this just isn't a good location for them. You know...just writing this out...I am thinking there could be one more thing I could try and that is a sunny window in the house where it is drier air. It's worth a try....I am going out to get her now! Maybe there is hope! Wish me luck!

14 comments:

Lisa at Greenbow said...

How sad Julie. I have something that looks like this. It is alive but it doesn't grow right due to not the right lighting during winter. Good luck with this one. I hope you figure out what is going on with it. They are such striking plants when they get all red from the sun.

Cindy said...

Having had a couple of aeoniums, I have developed a theory: They will eventually get leggy and funky-looking. I don't see any way to avoid it, due to the way they grow from a single main stem, with all the leaves radiating out from it. This adds to my belief that some succulents have a finite life span. The best thing you can do is take the rosettes off and replant them. Then they can start the process all over again!

Love your neon sign, by the way.

Pudgeduck said...

Julie- I have the same bad luck! I like to blame it on the air quality- or maybe ---- just happens!

Anonymous said...

Hello Julie,
Thank you so much for your post and helping me to identify some of my succulents. You have a great blog and I will be back. Happy Friday!

Teri said...

Gee, she needs ICU. Sounds like you have one thing left. do you think it is infected?

Aiyana said...

Hope it recovers, but it's doubtful. That's the problem with some of these fragile succulents--they almost need to be in a completely controlled environment. Like most of these kinds of succulents, I just treat them like a flower arrangement. Good for a month, and then out they go.
Aiyana

Wicked Gardener said...

I had a beloved plant that I had from the time I was 8 until the time I was well into college. It was terrible watching it finally die. I hope you can save your plant in time.

My Little Family: said...

Give it a try. It might work.

Anonymous said...

Julie, As you live in FL, I would think you have good climate for this guy. Do you have it outside? Or do you experience freezes? It is a winter grower, so you might be able to do a little experimenting with it.

I suggest you cut off the little guys (stems off the main stem). Set them aside (maybe sit in a sm. glass with the rosette holding it up). Try a couple laid upon some moist soil. Give as much sun as possible (outside, if you can). Once they start to show roots, stick them in soil.

You might be able to chop the top rosette off and reroot it as well. If you think you're going to lose it, you may as well try. :) No fertilizer necessary. Some regular winter water but don't overdo it. Check for mealy bugs between the leaves. If found, spray with rubbing alcohol mix -- 50% water. HTH!

Anonymous said...

Hi, Julie -
So very sorry about the unfortunate circumstance of your aeonium. I agree with Cindy - start over with the remaining rosettes. Although the plant looks like it's dying, it might not be. Leaf fall off happens for any of a number of reasons, and the plant may actually be healthy.

My purple aeonium, which I've kept outside, is looking a little leggy, but it's showing new growth. Even small pieces taken from your larger parent plant can root, based on my successful propagation of new aeonium plants from these once-small pieces. So, it may be a case that the next generation of "babies" take off where the "parent" started. New beginnings, I say! Much luck to you and your aeonium(s).

Julie said...

Thanks everyone!!! WOW...it is great to have friends in high places that know what to do!!! I will try cutting off the rosettes and planting them and see what happens. I have had this plant in covered areas with a moderate amount of light, but not in full sun. I'm going out to do a little cutting right now! Thanks again everyone!!!

Matt said...

I'll bet it will recover. Aeoniums are mainly winter growers, and during the cooler months a plant like this might benefit from more water and light than it has been getting. it doesn't look like it has any pest issues.

Anonymous said...

I like these plants and hope yours recovers or you're able to make some more via cuttings.

Julie said...

Mr. Brown Thumb- Thanks...I am keeping my fingers crossed!!!