Last updated on August 25th, 2023 at 12:04 pm
The gasteria old male silver is a very unique houseplant with an interesting color scheme. It has green leaves that are covered in white and beige scales, giving it a frosted look. The gasteria has a thick stem that can grow up to 16 inches tall. This plant grows best when you add both sun and water to it.
If gasteria old male silver is not cared for properly, these plants will turn brown and die off quickly. To avoid this happening to your gasteria plant, make sure you are watering it correctly by giving the soil a thorough soaking that gets down into the roots. You should also fertilize it with an organic fertilizer like fish, blood, and bone.
The gasteria old male silver prefers a location that has indirect sunlight coming in through the windows or from artificial light for at least 12 hours per day during winter months (or eight hours of sun if it is summer). In order to protect this plant from becoming too hot when grown indoors, you can help provide some shade to the gasteria by hanging plants or placing a tree nearby.
Gasteria old male silver propagation
Gasteria old male silver can be propagated through leaf cuttings and layering.
Cut the stem with a clean, sharp serrated knife at least halfway down into the central fleshy part of the plant. The top half should still have attached leaves but do not worry about that too much as it will grow again. The gasteria will not need to be watered for a few weeks and it should survive.
With layering, the gasteria should have small roots on the stem near where you want to place them down and then simply keep piling dirt up until they are buried or covered as much as possible. It is important that water does not get into the gasteria before it has a chance to establish roots.
Once these methods have been used, gasteria should be watered more regularly and feedings can start gradually.
As you may know, gasteria old male silver is related to the succulent family of plants which are characterized by their thick leaves that store water in them.
Gasteria old male silver care
Light requirements
Gasteria old male silver can tolerate low light but prefers a brighter spot. You’ll know gasterias are getting too much light if they turn pale green or yellow and the leaf tips start to curl up. If you notice this, move the gasteria to an area with less direct sun exposure for about two weeks, then gradually reintroduce it to the brighter location.
Soil/potting mix
Gasteria old male silver is a plant that requires well-draining soil to be happy. You can tell if the plant’s roots are healthy by checking for green, living roots at the surface of the potting media. If your gasterias have lots of brown or blackened root tips in their pots, you may need to repot the gasteria in a container with fresh soil.
Watering
Gasteria old male silver does not particularly like to dry out, so gasters should be watered fairly generously. Gasterias also appreciate occasional misting or an overhead spray of water in the mornings and evenings during hot weather periods.
In order for gasterias to stay healthy, they need a good balance between soil moisture and air humidity; gasteria leaves will dry out and turn brown if too much water is lost through the air.
Fertilizing
Gasterias should be fertilized every two weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer. They are sensitive to salt buildup so make sure your plant is not near a window that gets de-icing salt or uses rainwater instead of tap water in the winter months.
If you’re using organic fertilizer, feed gasteria old male silver once every four weeks.
Gasterias will do well with a soil pH of about five to six and can tolerate gert levels of up to seven. For gasteria old male silver, use the absorbent form of potting media like fir bark or coconut fiber; these control moisture better than things that repel water like tree bark.
Temperature
Gasteria old male silver does best in an average temperature of between 18 and 24 degrees Celsius.
They can tolerate hot temperatures up to 27 degrees, however, they prefer a more temperate climate with cooler nights. If the gasterias are placed in locations that exceed their ideal temperature range, they will begin to accumulate moisture on the leaves and may drop leaves.
Humidity
Gasteria old male silver needs high humidity to thrive and will not tolerate dry conditions. If they are subjected to a lower than normal humidity level, they may drop leaves or become stunted. To increase the gasterias’ comfort in low-humidity environments, mist them morning and night with water from a spray bottle.
Pruning
Gasteria should be pruned at the beginning of spring. Those that are new to you, feed them well for a month before cutting off any old growth and then trim back one-third of the plant’s height. They can also be trimmed in late winter or early fall by shearing with scissors to just above their own root crown.
How often should gasterias be repotted?
Gasterias are considered to be a ‘slow grower’ so it is not necessary for them to undergo major repotting. In some cases, gasterias will need more frequent watering than other plants which can lead to root rot. If you find that your gasteria requires more frequent watering, repotting will help to provide the necessary drainage and aeration.
If you are not sure whether or not your gasteria needs a new pot, there are some tell-tale signs to look out for:
- Evidence of wilted leaves or droopy blooms indicates that gasteria is not getting enough water.
- Fungal growth on gasteria leaves and stems that are black, green, or furry indicates too much moisture in the air which can lead to root rot. Repotting gasterias every two years will help your plant to release excess built-up of nutrients and salts through its leaves and flowers.
- If gasteria has been in the same pot for over two years, it is a good idea to repot gasteria with new soil every one or two years. However, if roots are not showing through the top of potting mix, then gasterias will also need more frequent watering which can lead to root rot.
Pests and diseases to watch out for
Gasterias are generally considered to be hardy and low-maintenance plants. It is still possible that gasteria will have problems with pests or diseases, though these usually only occur if gasterias experience too much stress from things like insufficient watering or exposure to excessive levels of sunlight.
One common pest gasteria is susceptible to is whitefly, which lays eggs on gasteria leaves. Make sure to inspect under gasterias for egg masses and squash them before the larvae hatch!
Gaterias are also vulnerable to scale insects – these small insects suck sap from the plants and can cause major damage if left untreated.
Leaf curl usually occurs as a result of too much moisture in the air and can be treated by repotting your plant.
Conclusion
I like gasteria old male silver because of the way it looks with its silky, dangling leaves and tiny flowers. The gasterias also have a reputation for being easy to take care of and durable too! A perfect houseplant if you ask me.
