The flowers are star-shaped, 2.5 cm (1 inch) wide, dark pink to red, in an upright position at the top of the 10 cm (4 inch) branched inflorescence.
Scientific name - Graptopetalum Bellum
Graptopetalum bellum (Moran and J. Meyrán) DR Hunt
Common names
Chihuahua flower
Synonyms
Tacus bellus (basionym)
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Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sedoideae
Tribe: Sedeae
Subtriba: Sedinae
Genus: Graptopetalum
Lighting
Graptopetalum bellum is suitable for part sunny to light shaded places. Avoid burning summer sun.
Soil
Regular mixes for cacti and succulents can be used or pure pumice.
Watering
Let the soil dry or nearly dry between the waterings. Water sparingly if placed temperate or cool during winter.
Feeding
Every 4th to 8th week when in active growth with cacti liquid fertilizer or a standard liquid fertilizer at half strength. Spikes or granules at half strength can be given 2 to 3 monthly. New bought or recently repotted plants don’t need to be fed for the first year.
Temperature
The Chihuahua Flower does best with a winter rest period at 5 to 10 °C (41 to 50 °F). Minimum temperature is 1 °C (34 °F).
Origin
Native of Mexico (Chihuahua).
How to grow and care
The rules for the care of Graptopetalum are similar to those of most succulents. Container-bound plants thrive in a mixture of peat, sand or other grain, topsoil and some compost. The full sun is the best situation, but they will also grow in partial sun with slightly dangerous results.
Graptopetalum s needs excellent drainage and moderate water. You can know when to water by putting your finger on the ground. If it is dry several inches down or the fleshy leaves look wrinkled, you should water. Excessive irrigation is the cause of root rot and the plant may have several pest infestations.
Graptopetalum s are generally easy to propagate, through seeds, leaf cuttings or offsets. Any rosette that breaks has the potential to root and start a new plant.
Even a falling leaf will take root under the mother plant and produce a new rosette quickly. The new plant feeds on the leaf until it shrinks and falls. By then, the new little ghost plant has taken root and sprouted new leaves.
