Synonyms:

There are no synonyms for this species.

Habitat:

The genus Aeonium is native to the Canary Islands. Specifically, this specimen is a hybrid between A. canariense and A. arboreum ‘Zwartkop’, conceived by Jack Catlin in 1976.

Description:

Aeonium ‘Velour’ is a succulent plant with a beautiful ornamental appearance, which, growing, assumes a shrubby posture characterized by long and slender woody stems, sometimes ramified, whose clear and smooth appearance contrasts pleasantly with the dark and velvety foliage (hence the name of the hybrid).
At the apex of the branches grow beautiful rosettes, large and flattened, consisting of spoon-shaped leaves in which the green intense of the center fades towards an extremely particular chocolate shade. This peculiarity is definitely accentuated when the plant is exposed to abundant sunlight or changes in climate and water intake, allowing you to admire continuous variations throughout the year that will give the specimen an always innovative and unique charm.

In spring from the center of the rosettes grow pretty yellow flowers that, together with the dark shades of the rosettes, give rise to a beautiful contrast with a strong visual impact. An even more interesting charm is given by the trend of the rosettes colorful, which can grow with large heads or even giving rise to groupings from the appearancesimilar to a pleasant floral bouquet.

Cultivation:

Like all specimens belonging to this genus, A. ‘Velour’ has a rather slow growth, but is very easy to grow: it is in fact a succulent extremely resistant, which in full sun its ideal habitat but, at the same time, is able to withstand even short periods of cold, provided it is not overwhelmed by frost. Aeonium is also resistant from the point of view of watering: it can survive relatively long periods of drought, probably due to the climatic conditions of its original places. During the growing season it is advisable to water with thrift whenever the soil is completely dry to the touch, maintaining the prudence of avoid water stagnation that could give rise to unpleasant rot; so that drainage is guaranteed terracotta pots are perfect, which ensure perspiration of excess water, maintaining a always optimal soil.

Propagation:

As a hybrid plant it can be reproduced only by cutting, so as to guarantee the same characteristics of the mother plant: it will then be sufficient to cut the new branches that grow to the plant base, let them dry for a few days and plant them in soil for succulent mixed with pumice, so as to ensure proper drainage of water.

Curiosity:

Commonly called also “artichoke of the Canaries” for the shape of its rosettes and for the pleasant contrast of colors, the name of the species ‘Velour’ means “velvety”, in reference to the characteristic foliage: the combination of shapes and attractive colors gives life to an undoubtedly unique specimen!

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www.giromagi.com

Italian Blog:
www.giromagicactus.com

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