Q.
My Hearts and Flowers groundcover is yellow green, not deep green. Why?
Click here if you want to see aptenia
My Hearts and Flowers groundcover is yellow green, not deep green. Why?
Click here if you want to see aptenia
A.
The primary reasons would be a lack of soil improvement at the time of
planting, planting in extremely hot and bright locations and not applying
adequate amounts of fertilizer. Plants growing in amended soils and fertilized
quarterly will have fewer problems than plants growing in soils with little or
no improvement.
The primary reasons would be a lack of soil improvement at the time of
planting, planting in extremely hot and bright locations and not applying
adequate amounts of fertilizer. Plants growing in amended soils and fertilized
quarterly will have fewer problems than plants growing in soils with little or
no improvement.
What you are calling Hearts and Flowers is
probably Aptenia, a waxy leafed succulent with small red or purplish red
flowers that have flower petals that are spiky. The most common is a variety called
‘Red Apple’ with bright red flowers.
probably Aptenia, a waxy leafed succulent with small red or purplish red
flowers that have flower petals that are spiky. The most common is a variety called
‘Red Apple’ with bright red flowers.
It originates from South Africa in regions
with summer rains and sandy soils. This type of climate and soil is less
extreme than our Mojave Desert. This is the reason our soils must be amended with
a good quality compost at the time of planting if this plant is going to look
good.
with summer rains and sandy soils. This type of climate and soil is less
extreme than our Mojave Desert. This is the reason our soils must be amended with
a good quality compost at the time of planting if this plant is going to look
good.
Good soil drainage is a must. This plant is
native to the hot climate of South Africa provided there are summer rains and
sandy soils. This means this plant must be planted in soils with good drainage
if it will survive. Again, soil improvement is a must.
native to the hot climate of South Africa provided there are summer rains and
sandy soils. This means this plant must be planted in soils with good drainage
if it will survive. Again, soil improvement is a must.
There is an iceplant also called Hearts
and Flowers but Aptenia is more commonly planted here. In our climate, Aptenia
takes full sun with amended soils but may look better if planted in full sun with
shade or filtered light in the late afternoon under some circumstances.
and Flowers but Aptenia is more commonly planted here. In our climate, Aptenia
takes full sun with amended soils but may look better if planted in full sun with
shade or filtered light in the late afternoon under some circumstances.
Improving the soil at planting time is a
must. Yes, it is a succulent and it will do well in rock gardens but remember
Las Vegas soils are an anomaly. Soil improvement is critical compared to other
parts of the desert Southwest and even other parts of the Mojave Desert.
must. Yes, it is a succulent and it will do well in rock gardens but remember
Las Vegas soils are an anomaly. Soil improvement is critical compared to other
parts of the desert Southwest and even other parts of the Mojave Desert.
Yellowing can be caused from a lack of
nitrogen so make sure fertilizers are applied at least quarterly. Use a light
application of Miracle Gro or similar product and apply an iron fertilizer at
the time of planting just in case the yellowing is due from a lack of iron.
nitrogen so make sure fertilizers are applied at least quarterly. Use a light
application of Miracle Gro or similar product and apply an iron fertilizer at
the time of planting just in case the yellowing is due from a lack of iron.