Bejeque (Aeonium Canariense)

El canarian aeonium It is one of the succulent plants that cannot be missing from any collection. It is true that seeing it in Internet images it may seem that it is any kind, a common one, but if you look at it, its leaves are covered by villi that, when touched, we immediately notice that they are very soft, not as soft as cotton ... but almost .

In addition, its maintenance and cultivation is not complicated at all, being able to multiply without problems by stem cuttings. So, taking all this into account, then I'm going to tell you everything you need to know about this species.

Origin and characteristics

Known as bejeque, this is a plant from the Crassulaceae family native to the Canary Islands, especially La Gomera, at altitudes between 300 and 900 meters above sea level. It reaches a height of 40-60cm, with a short, erect and thick stem that does not usually branch or, if it does, produces rather sparse branches. The leaves grow forming rosettes of 15 to 45 cm in diameter, green in color and 10 to 15 cm in size.

The flowers are grouped in inflorescences that arise from a stem up to 60cm in height, which is thick and pubescent, with some small ovate leaves. They are white in color and sprout only in adult specimens.

What are their cares?

Now that you know what it is like, you probably want to learn how to take care of it, right? Well, let's go there:

Location

El canarian aeonium it is a plant that has to be abroad, if possible in full sun unless it has been growing in semi-shade, in which case it should be placed in a very bright area and gradually accustomed to the sun king.

Earth

Whether it is kept in a pot or in the garden, it is highly recommended that the soil be able to absorb water and filter it quickly, since puddling can be very harmful.

• Flower pot: fill it with universal growing medium mixed with equal parts perlite. In the case of living in an area where it rains frequently, better use some volcanic sand, such as pomx or akadama.
• Garden: the soil can be neutral or limestone, well drained. As it is a small plant, if the one you have is not like that, make a hole of about 40x40cm and fill it with pumice. Some even what they do is make a bigger and wider one, and then insert into it a block -of those that are hollow- that they then use as if they were buried or semi-buried pots.

Irrigation

When we talk about succulents we usually think, almost instantly, that they are very resistant to drought. But reality is not like that. There are species that endure more or less short periods without water better than others, but el canarian aeonium It is one of the species of the genus that needs to be watered the most.. But beware, without going overboard: it is not an aquatic plant, far from it.

The frequency will vary throughout the year: in summer it will be more followed, and in winter more scarce. To give you an idea, I will tell you that I living in Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Spain), with temperatures between -2ºC minimum and 38ºC maximum, and with very little rainfall, I have to water an average of 3 times a the week during the hottest season, and an average of once every 7-10 days the rest of the year.

Depending on this, you may have to water more if the weather is hotter and drier, or less. Of course, in any case, do not wet the leaves as they could rot.

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Throughout the spring and summer It is highly advisable to fertilize it with a specific fertilizer for succulents, following the instructions specified on the package.

Multiplication

El canarian aeonium multiplies by seeds (rarely) and by cuttings in spring-summer. Let's see how to proceed in each case:

Seeds

To sow them and have a greater probability of success, we recommend filling a seedling tray with universal culture substrate mixed with 30% perlite, and placing a maximum of two units in each socket. Then cover them with a thin layer of substrate, and water thoroughly.

Keep the seedbed outside, in semi-shade and humid, they will germinate in about 5-8 days, maximum one month if they are fresh.

Cuttings

If you want to multiply it by cuttings, you have to cut a branch, let the wound dry for a week or ten days in a dry place protected from direct sun, and then plant it in a pot with, for example, previously watered pumice. So it will take root soon, in about two weeks.

Plagues and diseases

It is very resistant, but in dry and hot environments it can be affected by mealybugs (especially cottony) and aphids. And in the rainy season you have to control the snails.

Planting or transplanting time

In spring. If you have it in a pot, transplant it every two or three years.

Rusticity

Does not like cold or frost. It resists up to -2ºC as long as the soil is dry and the temperature rises quickly.

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