Jovibarba (Sempervivum) heuffelii is unique among the genus sempervivum, such unique colors have no other species. Due to the fact that the color of these plants persists throughout the season and the complexity of reproduction, these plants are rare among collectors.
Description
Many varieties of this species of different colors are displayed today:
- red;
- violet;
- plum;
- yellow;
- orange.
The most distinguished is the Cheese series cultivars, which have a unique combination of yellow and orange. This species retains its colors throughout the year, which makes it valuable in the eyes of collectors and fans of rare plants.
These plants grow very compactly, the rosettes tightly placed next to each other. Thanks to this, beautiful compact clusters of rosettes are formed.
The tips of the leaves are often quite sharp, you can even injure them. Little white hairs grow on the edge of the leaf, which adds to the charm of jovibarba heuffelii.
Like other sempervivums this species blooms once in a lifetime. The rosette turns into a fairly tall peduncle on which forms the inflorescences of yellow flowers. After flowering, the peduncle dies and new plants take its place.
Care
Sempervivum heuffelii is easy to care for and to maximize the brightness of the leaves you need to plant these plants in full sun. If the plant is shaded then the colors will be less bright.
Sun
When growing indoors it is better to place the plant in the south window if this is not possible, then additional lighting will be required.
Soil
For better cultivation use a permeable soil, it is best to use ready mixes for succulents. The use of this type of soil will prevent root rot and various diseases.
Watering
Water the Jovibarba heuffelii often only after the soil has completely dried. If the plant is grown in the yard, it should be watered only in summer in dry weather. If your plants are growing in pots you need to have drainage holes to drain excess water.
If the plant grows indoors in the winter, it needs almost no watering.
Frost resistance
This species is completely frost-resistant, it can withstand temperatures up to -30F. It can withstand winter even without snow. It does not need any shelter for the winter. If your jovibarba grows indoors then you should reduce watering to once a month.
Fertilizers
These plants do not need fertilizing, but if you want them to grow faster and form more daughter plants you can fertilize them with not a lot of prolonged action fertilizers. The best time to fertilize is spring.
Propagation
The uniqueness of the sempervivum heuffelii is that the child rosette is formed not by horizontal shoots but by the division of the mother plant. Usually, it is divided into 3 new outlets, resulting in a beautiful hump of plants.
To get new plants you need to separate them from the parent. Before separation, shake off all the soil from the roots.
You can use a sharp and clean knife to separate the cluster of rosettes, and it can also be disinfected. Cut rosettes lengthwise to leave a few roots or root tissue on each plant.
You can also split the sockets with your hands, make cuts at each socket and then tear them apart with your hands.
Dry the separated plants in the shade for 1-2 days to prevent rot.
You can then plant them in dry soil for succulents. If you keep split jovibarbs in the yard, then protect them from rain. Do not water them the week after separation. After 7 days, they can be watered with not much water, increase the amount of water gradually. You can expose them to the open sky a month after the separation and only if they have grown.
Otherwise, grow them undercover, controlling the amount of water until they begin to grow.
Jovibarba heuffelii can also be propagated by seeds. Sowing seeds of jovibarba is similar to sowing seeds of other species of sempervivum.
Cultivars
Jovibarba heuffelii ‘Cheese cake’
This variety has unique yellow-orange leaves with sharp tips. The colors are very bright in the spring. Size up to 4 inches. Bred in Germany in 2012 by Volkmar Shara.
Jovibarba heuffelii ‘Cheese Duet’
The variety looks very decorative. The tips of the leaves are orange, the middle of the leaf is yellow and the center of the rosette is light green. The color is almost unchanged throughout the year. With enough sunshine, this variety will delight you all year long.
Jovibarba heuffelii ‘Cheese Love’
During the year the colors of this variety change depending on the sunlight and air temperature. Yellow and green colors dominate, the tips of the leaves are pink and orange.
Jovibarba heuffelii ‘Cheese Night’
Another unique variety of the Cheese series. Leaves are yellow-green in color, the tips are purple-brown. The size of the rosette is 3.5 inches. Bred by Volkmar Shara in 2014 Germany.
Jovibarba heuffelii ‘Gold Bug’
The leaves of this variety have a yellow-red color combination. Size 3 inches. Country of origin USA. Released in 1984 by Edward Skrocki.
Jovibarba heuffelii ‘Torrid Zone’
The color of the leaves is bright red, in the fall becomes darker. Size up to 5 inches. The variety was brought out by W.Nixon in 1976 in the United States.
Jovibarba heuffelii ‘Almkroon’
The size of this variety can reach 5 inches. The color of the leaves is burgundy, the white edge emphasizes the basic color. Bred in the Netherlands in 1988.
Jovibarba heuffelii ‘Blue Clown’
The variety has a stunning purple-plum color. The size of the rosettes is 4 inches. Variety bred by Andre Smits.