If you own a sedum, you should know that there are certain tips you need to follow to ensure it stays healthy. Those tips include watering, fertilizing, pruning, and pest and disease control.
Watering
Sedums have thick, fleshy leaves that store water. However, they need to be watered slowly, not too much. Often, they’ll dry out at the base of the plant. When this happens, the leaves may become wilted and drop.
Sedums come in a variety of colors, and they’re easy to grow. They’re also very low maintenance. In addition, they’re popular with pollinators, including butterflies and hummingbirds.
Some of the most common pests on Sedums are vine weevils, fungus gnats, and root mealybugs. To combat these, use a spray bottle to mist the leaves with water. Other tips include using a mulch to help keep the soil moist.
The best time to sow seeds for Sedum is in summer. It’s not a good idea to plant the seeds directly into the soil, however. This is because they may not be acclimatized to direct sunlight.
Fertilizing
Sedum is a plant that is known for its thick, dark-green leaves. It is also a popular ground cover. Several sedum bushes can be planted together to form a colorful carpet in the garden.
If you want to enhance your sedum’s color and bloom, you can fertilize it. There are several methods to do this, but it is important to keep in mind that sedums do not require too much fertilizer. In fact, they only need a light dose of granular fertilizer in the spring.
You can fertilize sedums with compost or a liquid fertilizer. These are both organic. Organic fertilizer will not burn the leaves, and there is less chance of killing the plant.
Some sedum varieties require only minimal maintenance, and they grow quickly. However, other sedum varieties need to be pruned to promote new growth.
Pruning
Sedums are a classic drought-tolerant plant that are easy to grow. They are also easy to maintain. They can be pruned to keep them looking their best.
There are many different types of sedums to choose from, each offering a different level of interest. You can have a variety of colours, leaf shapes and sizes. Some of them can be planted together for a contrast, while others offer year-round interest.
The best time to prune a sedum is in the spring. This is the time of year when new growth is visible. In addition to pruning, sedums can be cut back after flowering. Not only will this help to keep the plant in shape, but it will encourage more bushy growth.
Another good time to prune is in the fall. This is when the buds start to form. The cutting can help delay the blooming process.
Pests and diseases
There is a plethora of sedum varieties available. Most are low maintenance and forgiving. The trick is in knowing when and how to prune your sedum for maximum impact. Sedums are also easy to propagate. They are not only drought resistant, they are happiest in well-drained soil. If your sedum is looking a little dowdy, a quick pruning can turn it into a thriving weed.
Although sedums do not have a formal disease management program, they are best treated as a living organism. In addition to regular weeding and fertilizing, you might consider a yearly visit to the garden center for an inoculation. Sedums are also prone to rot, particularly in hot and humid climates. A rot-free plant will perform far better than a rotten specimen.
If you are going to prune a sedum, the best time of the day to do it is in the early morning, before the heat of the day sets in. This will ensure that your sedum gets the most attention, and isn’t stifled by the sun.
Border sedums
If you are looking for a low maintenance, drought tolerant plant, you may want to try sedums. These tough, succulent plants are easy to grow and look great with other garden flowers. Sedums come in a variety of interesting shapes, sizes and colors. They also work well as a ground cover or a border.
Border sedums need to be planted in a sunny spot with well-draining soil. They can be planted in the spring or fall. In addition to good drainage, you need to mulch around the base of the sedum with well-rotted garden compost or manure.
Divide border sedums every three to four years. This helps ensure that the flower heads do not flop and provide a neat appearance. The flower heads turn pink in summer and look fantastic covered in frost.