Senecio rowleyanus

El Senecio rowleyanus it is a crass or non-cactus succulent with great ornamental value. And it is that its characteristics balls (which now we will see what they really are) make the plant as a whole very curious.

But do you know how to take care of it? If you want to know this and other things, such as its origin or characteristics, I invite you to know it in depth below.

How is it?

Senecio rowleyanus is a perennial succulent native to Africa that was described by Hermann Johannes Heinrich Jacobsen and published in the National Cactus and Succulent Journal in 1968. It is popularly known as the rosary, rosary or senecio plant.

It has spherical leaves, greenish in color, measuring about 6mm in diameter.. The flowers are white, and are 12mm in diameter. These sprout in summer, on peduncles.

Due to its creeping appearance, it is widely used as a hanging plant in patios and terraces, since it can be well and healthy always living in a pot. In addition, although its growth rate is quite fast, it is controlled by pruning without problem.

What are their cares?

The care it needs is very basic, which is why it is considered one of the most interesting species to start growing succulents. It is so good to maintain, that it can be had even inside the house. But, so that there is no doubt, we are going to tell you everything you have to take into account so that your Senecio rowleyanus do not lack anything:

Location

• Interior: it will grow well indoors with lots of light, and without drafts. If you have an interior patio, perfect; if not, a bright entrance for example will do.
• Exterior: he likes light, but not excessively. From experience I will tell you that it is better if it is in semi-shade, although it also adapts to direct sun.

Earth

• Flower pot: being very sensitive to overwatering, it is advisable to mix 50% black peat with 50% perlite or similar (pomx, akadama, previously washed river sand). In this way, you will ensure that the excess water comes out quickly, thus preventing the roots from rotting.
• Garden: I understand that you probably have no intention of planting it in the ground, but in case I'm wrong, you should know that it grows in soils with very good drainage. If the one you have is very compact, don't worry: make a planting hole of about 50cm x 50cm, cover it with shading mesh and fill it with the mixture of substrates that I mentioned before. Finally, you will only have to plant your rosary.

Irrigation

Generally, It must be watered 2 or 3 times a week during the hottest and driest season of the year, and every 10 or 15 days the rest. During the winter, and especially if frosts occur in your area, water less: once a month or every 35 days.

Don't spray it, because the water on its leaves or balls clogs the pores, preventing it from breathing. This is for a moment and in spring-summer nothing happens, since in those seasons the plant needs more water to grow than when it is at rest, but you don't have to risk it.

Excess moisture attracts fungi, which are microorganisms that are difficult to combat (in fact, to date a fungicide has not been discovered or created that is capable of completely eliminating them once they have infected the plants) .

Subscriber

The fertilizer is as important as the water. So that you have a good development, You will pay it in spring and summer with fertilizers for cacti and other succulents, following the indications specified on the product packaging. Use liquid fertilizers if you have it in a pot so that the drainage continues to be good.

Multiplication

El Senecio rowleyanus it multiplies by seeds (complicated) and by cuttings in spring. Let's see how to proceed in each case:

Seeds

1. First, a pot is filled with equal parts black peat mixed with pumice, and watered.
2. The seeds are then placed on the surface and covered with a thin layer of pumice or river sand.
3. It is then watered, this time with a sprayer.
4. OPTIONAL (and highly recommended): sprinkle copper or sulfur to prevent the appearance of fungi.
5. Finally, the pot is placed outside, in semi-shade.

If everything goes fine, will germinate in 2-3 weeks.

Cuttings

Multiplying it by cuttings is very simple: it is enough to cut a piece of stem, let the wound dry for a day or two, and then plant it in a pot with black peat mixed with perlite in equal parts. It will emit its own roots in 1-2 weeks or so.

Pruning

If you see that it is missing, you can prune it late winter.

Rusticity

It is preferable that it does not drop below 7ºCBut if the thermometer shows -1º or even -2ºC in a punctual and brief way, there won't be too much problem.

What did you think of the Senecio rowleyanus?