Same Same But Different Part 1


Same Same But Different

It is amazing how plants adapt to their environment. The same plant in two different environments can behave so differently you might even think it is a different plant. I've experienced this a few times when I've taken a cutting from outside and grown it inside for example.

Some plants adapt to their different environments happily. However, other more sensitive plants just freak out and die. Succulents and sedum seem able to adapt without dying.

 Here are some of my observations:

Aeonium haworthii


This Aeonium is iving outside in direct sun and growing in a terracotta pot. Rarely watered other than rain and infrequently in Summer.

This plant is growing on the same property but in a large garden bed under a covered deck. It receives the same amount of water just rain water and some watering in summer.

What I think happens is in the shade the leaves grow more surface area to have more opportunity for photosynthesis. In the terracotta pot the plant grows small leaves or drops leaves to balance the large amount of sun with the small amount of water it receives.

Jade


Living outside in direct sun and growing in a terracotta pot this Jade plant has grown huge. Rarely watered other than rain and infrequently in Summer like the Aeonium haworthii above.

This cutting is growing inside and lives in water. Not only is it much greener the leaves are bigger and kind of droop down.


The large Jade is super happy and is still growing new leaves and branches. However the red pigment is water stress which makes sense as this plant gets alot of sun. Water stress on a Jade plant isn't something to worry about. If you want your Jade greener give it less sun. Be careful though it does become much easier to overwater and kill it the less sun it receives.

Aeonium 

I bet now you can figure out which one is growing in shade and which is growing in full sun. Once again it is exactly the same plant.

I find lots of my succulents start to look sad in the heat of summer then as it cools off the start to grow bigger and green. Do you have any plants that behaviour differently in different conditions?


L:👧

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