English (United Kingdom) 
Russian (Russia) Cotyledon
Family. Crassulaceae.
Origin. South Africa.
Description. Cotyledon is an extremely variable genus of perennial, compact, succulents, consisting of only 10 species. Some plants have round, flat or long cylindrical cross-section, succulent leaves located on small, brittle stems. The stems are sometimes smooth and covered with a thin bark that often peels off; in other species the stems may be pubescent. Some form a basal rosette of large, corrugated leaves. The leaves may be light green, bluish-green with a waxy coating, or gray. The inflorescences appear on tall stems extending from the center of the plant and bear, often drooping, attractive, bell-shaped flowers with greenish-pink, red, purple, or orange fused petals.
Height. The height depends on the specific species and can range from 10 cm to 3 m.
Care at home
Soil for indoor plants
Ready-made mixture for cacti and succulents with a high content of sand or perlite. Loose, air- and moisture-permeable soil. Unlike most succulents, cotyledon requires nutritious soil. The root collar of the plant can be surrounded with a layer of fine gravel or coarse sand to improve drainage. Growing
Some species require formative pruning to maintain an attractive compact shape. There are deciduous varieties of cotyledon. The specific dormant period for this species depends on the conditions of maintenance and the exact time of its onset is difficult to predict. Try to disturb bushes with a light waxy coating on the leaves less, since when rearranging the plants, they may lose this coating.
Transplant
Compact varieties can be kept in one pot for several years. Large specimens are repotted as they grow, when the roots begin to peek out of the drainage holes of the pot. Adult succulents require repotting approximately every 2-3 years. After repotting, stop watering for a week.
Reproduction
Stem or leaf cuttings that root easily in damp sand in spring or summer. Dry the cut site for a few days before planting, otherwise the cutting may rot. Young seedlings are covered with glass to maintain humidity, and sprayed instead of watering. Seeds are sown in spring at a temperature of 20 - 22 ° C.
Watering
During the growing season, the soil of the cotyledon should be moist, but not swampy. The top layer of soil is dried before each subsequent watering. During the winter months, if you have allowed a cool dormant period, water very infrequently, once every 1 to 2 months. During a warm winter, reduce the frequency of watering slightly, so that the soil dries out by half between waterings. Water so that droplets of water do not fall on the stems and leaves of the plant, especially in the evening.
Diseases and pests
Rotting due to waterlogging, especially in autumn and winter.
Of the harmful insects, the main dangers are mealybugs, aphids, spider mites, and scale insects.
Containment temperature
The flower feels good at normal room temperature, in winter - not lower than 10 ° C. If the plant winters in a well-lit place, it can be kept warm all year round.
Lighting
Shade the cotyledon in spring and summer from the scorching rays of the sun during the day. Can receive direct sunlight in the morning and evening.
Fertilizer
In spring and summer, feed the cotyledon with fertilizers for succulents monthly at half the concentration.
Flowering time
Spring Summer.
Spraying
There is no need to spray the plant. Loves good air movement, but do not expose the plant to cold drafts.
Note
Most species are poisonous. Keep children and pets away from them, be careful when in contact with shoots and leaves. Some bushes stretch out with age and lose their attractiveness - they are replaced by new specimens obtained from cuttings.
Hydroponics
Cotyledon grows well in hydroponics.
Types of cotyledon:
Cotyledon tomentosa
A small evergreen succulent shrub, about 50 cm high, with erect, slightly branched stems and thick, succulent, rounded leaves. The leaves are soft to the touch, covered with very dense, light pubescence. Along the upper edge of the leaves there are small tubercles of a burgundy or purple hue. During the flowering period, yellow, orange, pink or greenish flowers resembling bells appear on the plant. Cotyledon variegata is distinguished by the presence of light, cream spots and stripes on the leaves.
Cotyledon undulata
An extremely attractive shrub with silvery rounded leaves. The leaf blades have a wavy ridge along the edge, which is why this subspecies got its name. The leaves have a grayish tint, in particular, due to a waxy coating. During the flowering period, it produces tall vertical peduncles, on top of which there are up to 15 flowers of a delicate salmon hue. In good light, the leaf ridge sometimes takes on a reddish tint.
Cotyledon orbiculata
A fairly variable subspecies, shrubs can have round, fleshy leaves, or leaves with flat leaf blades and oblong leaves. Shades of leaves include bluish-gray, pinkish-orange and light green, sometimes in bright light they can take on a burgundy hue. The stems are erect, thick, up to 120 cm high. The peduncles are leafless, erect, bearing hanging bell-shaped flowers of a pink or orange hue at the top.
