Graptopetalum Species, Chihuahua Flower

Bought as blooms were about to open, and was on east facing windowsill in London, UK. Plant flowered beautifully and then leaves started ...Read Moreto blacken and rot, and was dead within less than a month of bringing it home. I had kept to a very light watering (this was British springtime so obviously not that warm) but can't vouch for the quality of the soil.

Interestingly, the leaves I managed to save, of the 6 or so, 3 have grown at a remarkable rate - from leaf to plant in just under two months (far quicker than any of the other species I've propagated from leaf here) and two appear to have become cristate. Not sure how common this is with this particular plant, and would be grateful for any information...

Tacitus bellus is a small frost sensitive succulent from Mexico, best grown in an unheated greenhouse with evenly moist soil and bright d...Read Moreiffuse light or outdoors in a frost free lightly shaded area. It grows best with regular watering and feeding schedules but can survive a period of drought as long as ambient temperatures are not unreasonably warm. It blooms from late spring to mid summer, blooms last from 2 - 8 weeks depending on the conditions under which the plant is grown. I have had the plant for nearly 4 years and I have yet to come across any difficulties in cultivating it besides the vigorous growth habit which can necessitate frequent dividing and repotting, if the plant is grown in a container.

I grew this from seed about 25 years ago. Germination was easy for me, but the plant is fussy about drainage, and I killed quite a few b...Read Morey keeping their feet too wet. Propagation from "leaves" of a rosette was fairly reliable. I did not know about a chilling requirement to get this plant to bloom, and it never bloomed for me; eventually I gave away my surviving plants when I moved.

Tacitus bellus does not, I repeat does not like full sun. A
much better exposure is shade to light shade. I have been growing it ...Read Morefor about 18 years. I understand that it is native
to steep terrain eg. cliffs of Chihuahua, Mexico. These cliffs face such that very little sun hits directly. If you grow it in shade which is open to the south, the flower spikes will all
lean in that direction requiring frequent turning of the container. A better choice is in full but bright shade. I live in
frost free Santa Barbara.