Hello and welcome to Brainy Gardener! In this video I'm going to show you how to take care of your Gasteria plant. Now Gasterias are pretty low maintenance plants but there are a few things you can do to keep them looking their best. So whether you just bought your first Gasteria or have had one for a while, make sure to stick around and watch this video.
*********************RESOURCES & LINKS: *********************
Ox Tongue Plant: Tips for Keeping Your Gasteria Healthyhttps://brainygardener.com/ox-tongue-plant-gasteria-carinata-var-verrucosa/*********************Video Timestamps*********************0:00 - Introduction1:07 - Light and Location1:26 - Watering1:44 - Temperature1:56 - Humidity 2:19 - Fertilization2:32 - Propagation3:31 - Potting and Repotting4:06 - Toxicity and Common Pests*********************SummaryOx Tongue Plant is a popular variety of Gasteria found in cultivation. It is characterized by its large, broad leaves covered in short, white bumps or warts. The leaves grow in rosettes directly from the base and can reach up to 18 inches in length. This plant is native to the hilly terrain of South Africa. In its native range, it is a winter rainfall plant and blooms from August to October with long-lasting pink or orange flowers.1. Light and LocationOx Tongue Plant likes to grow in shaded locations that provide plenty of protection from the sun. It prefers being in the shade, but it can tolerate mild sunlight for part of the day as well. So if you are growing this succulent indoors, place it where it gets bright light. 2. WateringIt is a drought-tolerant plant that can go long periods without water. When you do water, thoroughly soak the soil and then let it dry out completely before watering again. During the winter months, reduce watering even further, only giving it enough to keep the leaves from wrinkling. 3. TemperatureOx Tongue Plant can handle a wide range of temperatures, from hot summers to cold winters. It is winter hardy down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. But don’t let it stay that cold for extended periods. Ox Tongue is not particular about humidity and will do just fine in average household humidity levels. However, if the atmosphere is humid, reduce watering to offset the increase in moisture. 4. HumidityThese plants do not have an issue with low humidity. The only problem you might experience is in extremely humid conditions, which, when coupled with overwatering, can be a catalyst for fungal infections and ultimately root rot. 5. Fertilization These plants generally don't require a lot of nutrition, and providing a lot won't make them grow more quickly. A light fertilizer application during the growing season will help promote growth and flowering. Use a well-balanced succulent fertilizer diluted to half strength. Apply every other month from spring to summer.6. PropagationOx Tongue Plant can be propagated from offsets, cuttings, and seeds. To propagate by cuttings, pick a healthy leaf at least 3 to 4 inches in length. Make a clean cut along the width of the leaf, near the base. Allow the cutting to callus over for a few weeks. After the wound has healed, lay the leaf on its side and bury the cut end in the potting medium. When propagating by offsets, simply cut them from the main plant near the base. Like cuttings, the offsets also need time to heal. Once the wound has callused, plant the offset in a fresh pot of well-draining succulent soil. New growth will begin to show in a few weeks. If you are using seeds, place the seeds on top of the soil and lightly press them in. Cover them with only a light layer. 7. Potting and RepottingOx Tongue plant can thrive in the same pot for over a decade if given the right conditions. It is not a fast-growing plant and will do just fine staying in the same pot for several years. Choose a pot that is not too large since the plant likes to be snug. A 4-inch pot is a good size for most specimens. Pick a shallow pot as that’s what the roots like. Pick a fast-draining porous mix to serve as the potting medium. 8. Toxicity and Common PestsOx Tongue plant is considered non-toxic to humans and animals. This succulent is relatively resistant to pests and diseases. But like all plants, it can fall prey to mealybugs, scale, and aphids. If you notice these pests on your plant, act quickly to get rid of them before they have a chance to do too much damage. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Thanks for watching (and reading!). If you've found this video to be useful, please give it a thumbs up or leave a comment below.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------► Subscribe to Brainy Gardener: [ Ссылка ] Our Website: [ Ссылка ] Get tips, ideas and inspiration to help make your home greener
