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However, if you need to grow it in cooler climates, you should make sure that the plant is moved indoors during winter. This amazing plant is cold tolerant in 9b to 11b zones. The Bear paw succulent plant thrives in climates that are warm, with extremely mild winter seasons. At each given time, the pot should be one size larger than the root system of your plant. The bear paw plant grows well in soil with a pH of around six. Additionally, good soil works well when used together with a pot that has enough drainage holes. We recommend that you regularly loosen the soil of your plant with a clean tool to make sure it does not get compacted. Incorporating coarse sand into the growing medium ensures that water is not held within the soil. You can mix amendments like coarse sand, pumice, and pebbles to create a perfect growing medium for your beauty.Ī good cactus soil medium also ensures that air circulates around the root system, thereby curbing the manifestation of bacteria and some fungi. You should consider using a well-draining and gritty soil mix to mimic the Bear paw’s natural habitat. The soil should have efficient water draining properties to avoid a situation where the plant’s roots sit in soggy conditions for extended periods of time. Planting the Bear paw cactus in the right growing medium is very important to its performance. When kept in low light conditions for a long time, the plant loses its vibrancy, discolors, and becomes more vulnerable to diseases. Using grow lights in cold seasons is a good alternative to keep your Bear claw cactus surviving and as it awaits the growing season. It also intensifies the color of the plant as well as the flowers.ĭuring winter, plant development is low due to low temperatures and sunlight.
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Keep in mind that sunlight is an essential ingredient in the photosynthesis process that makes your plant’s food. If you expose the Kitten paw plant to too much sunlight, you risk burning the leaves, a scenario that leads to discoloration. If you choose to grow this lovely succulent outdoors, you should find a spot that is both bright and shaded so that the sensitive and fragile paws will be protected from too much sunlight. When grown as an indoor plant, you should place this plant close to a south-facing window where it receives a plentiful supply of sunlight. You should ensure that the Cotyledon tomentosa gets at least six hours of bright light daily. The Bear paw plant enjoys bright, indirect sunlight for its upkeep. Therefore, the Bear paw cactus can easily acclimate and thrive in low water conditions. This succulent originates from a climate where rainfall is rare and it stores water for future use in its leaves. Also, the Kitten paw cactus does not grow in winter due to lower temperatures so you should cut back on water application to at least once a week. The Bear paw cactus plant enters dormancy during winter so be sure to reduce the watering frequency.
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You can do this by ensuring sufficient drainage facilities are available on both the soil and pot. Please note that the roots of your Cotyledon tomentosa bear paw plant should not sit in soggy conditions for long.
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You can irrigate the Bear paw cactus more than once a week depending on the rate at which the water is being lost.ĭo not water the soil if it is still wet to avoid overwatering problems like leaf discoloration, stunted growth, and rotting. This can be best achieved by applying one-quarter cup of water for young plants that have smaller paws and one and a half cups of water to large-pawed ones once a week. You should water this plant deeply during spring and summer, which are the active growing seasons. Just like any other succulent, the Bear paw cactus loves to have its roots soaked but the soil should be allowed to dry out between waterings. This succulent is slow growing so, you should not expect vigorous development. The Bear’s paw cactus is mainly grown for its unusual appearance but proper care should be given to this plant to help it grow well. It is commonly known as the Bear paw plant, Woolly Cotyledon, Kitten paw plant, and Bear paw succulent. The Bear paw cactus is a perennial succulent that belongs to the Cotyledon genus which is part of the Crassulaceae family native to South Africa.
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