Aichrizon

Family. Crassulaceae.

Origin. Canary Islands, at an altitude of more than 1000 m above sea level.

What it looks like.  Aichrizon domestica or tree of love is probably one of the most attractive ornamental foliage plants with large oval dark green leaves, densely pubescent on both sides. 

Its numerous thin, forked branches bear spoon-shaped leaves on short petioles. The leaves form rosettes at the ends of the stem.

The inflorescences are branched, rise high above the foliage, star-shaped flowers appear in the center of a rosette of numerous pubescent buds, the petals are lemon yellow. Unfortunately, at home, the plant loses its foliage and may even die after flowering.

Leaf color varies depending on exposure to sunlight. In the shade they are green, but in direct sunlight they turn brownish green or khaki. There are variegated varieties with white stripes along the edge of the leaf.

Height. Up to 50 cm tall.

Aichrizon - care at home

Reproduction 

The plant remains decorative only for 1 - 2 years, but produces abundant self-seeding after flowering.

Seeds are sown in moist and nutritious soil under a cover of glass or transparent plastic - in the spring. The crops are ventilated daily and sprayed if necessary.

Propagation by cuttings is quite easy - rooting occurs within 2-4 weeks.

Small cuttings take root in spring or summer, after first drying the cutting area for several hours.

Take shoots 8 - 10 cm in length, tear off the lower leaves and plant them in slightly moistened soil made of equal parts of peat, moss and coarse sand or perlite. 

Provide bright light and adequate watering.

How to care and trim 

Caring for this succulent is not difficult at all.

Timely removal of inflorescences will help prevent leaf drop and increase the lifespan of the plant.

Regular pinching of young shoots causes the plant to branch profusely.

Avoid placing the plant near heating appliances during the winter months.

When it blooms 

In spring - summer, the flowering period can last up to six months.

How to make aichrizon bloom? Flowering can be caused by prolonged drying of the soil.

A flowering succulent loses a lot of strength in this process, so the flower stalks are often removed. 

Soil 

The planting substrate should be sandy, well-drained with mild acidity  or neutral (6.1 - 6.5 pH).

Drainage material should make up 30-50 percent of the total volume.

Aichrizon tolerates nutrient-poor soils well. 

Transplantation

Since the bush has a small root system, it does not need large pots; it is enough to transplant it into a pot with a diameter of 10 - 13 cm. 

If necessary, move second year plants to one size larger pots in the spring.

The size of the pot for it directly affects the size of the plant itself - in cramped conditions the bush often remains compact.

Try to use transshipment - the aichrizon does not like damage to the root system. 

Diseases and pests 

Leaves often fall off after flowering. If too many leaves fall off, move the plant to a cooler location in partial shade.

Rotting occurs when watering too much and the constant presence of moisture in the pan.

Aichrizon does not bloom in the absence of a dormant period in cool weather or insufficient light.

Watering 

During the period of active growth, water generously, completely saturating the soil ball, but allowing the top half of the potting mixture to dry out between waterings. When overwatered, plants become stretched.

During the dormant period, if there is one at all, water rarely, just so that the soil does not dry out completely.

It is advisable to use bottom watering so that moisture does not linger in the pubescence of the plant. 

How to spray 

These plants will thrive in a moist environment but are also well suited to dry conditions. Over-spraying, especially in cloudy weather, will result in rot.

Fertilizers 

If the succulent is given a winter dormant period, apply standard liquid fertilizer every two weeks only during the period of active growth. If kept warm all year round, you can feed it year-round with fertilizer at half the concentration.

Temperature

The aichrizon tolerates a wide range of temperatures. Under normal room conditions it grows continuously. If you keep the pot in a room where the temperature drops below 13 °C and in the shade, the bush will go into a dormant period and stop growing, but will bloom profusely the following season.

Lighting

The plant prefers light partial shade in the daytime, however, in poorly lit places, aichrizon  does not bloom and becomes lanky and elongated. Provide direct sunlight in the morning and evening for 3-4 hours daily.

Purpose

Quite a rare species in culture, perhaps due to its potentially short life. A fast growing plant, but, as a rule, the lower part of the stem becomes exposed with age. Can be trained into an attractive bonsai.

Note

The lifespan of this species is 1 - 2 years; the succulent can die after flowering - but not always. The second name - "Tree of Love" - ​​is possibly given due to the shape of the heart-shaped leaves. Among the signs associated with these plants, there is a belief that couples who successfully grow aichryson for a long time become happier.

Types of aichrizon: 

Aichrizon laxum

      A small succulent shrub with large, spoon-shaped, slightly concave dark green leaves. Semi-deciduous species. Flowering is long and abundant. 

Aichrizon tortuosum

A small perennial evergreen succulent shrub up to 20 cm high with twisting stems. The stems become woody below and covered with bark, and young shoots often have pubescence on top. The leaves are thick, juicy, covered with sparse and long pubescence, collected in rosettes. Shades of leaves include light green with a bluish waxy coating, purple, pinkish, cream, and brown. 

Aichrizon x domesticum “Variegatum”

An evergreen shrubby succulent that forms leaf rosettes at the ends of branched shoots. The leaves have pink, cream or white stripes along the edges of the leaf blades. It blooms with small yellow flowers. 

Aichrizon laxum

It is a low succulent with numerous branched, fragile shoots. The leaves are green or with a pinkish edge, small, round, covered with luxurious pubescence, the leaf blade is glossy. Branched inflorescences can bear up to 50 - 60 golden-yellow flowers with a diameter of up to 1.5 cm. The flowers are small, yellow, collected in few-flowered inflorescences. Often plants of this species lose a lot of energy during flowering and die after flowering.

Aichrizon goochiae

This subspecies resembles  a money tree in its appearance; it can be formed as an attractive bonsai tree. The leaves are light green, spoon-shaped, slightly concave, collected in beautiful leaf rosettes with a diameter of 3 - 4 cm, forming a dense crown of the plant. Leaf blades are glossy. The flowers are solitary or in small branched inflorescences, bright yellow.