Portulacaria afra , unremarkably known as Elephant Bush or Elephant Food , is used worldwide as a lush garden shrub and bonsai subject . It is a double-dyed increase to your indoor or outdoorsucculent garden . This plant is also known as Dwarf Jade or Miniature Jade , but it is unrelated toCrassula ovata . The small leaves are thick , fleshy , rounded , dark-green to yellowish , and held on red stalk . They are eatable with a pleasant acidy mouthful . Elephant Bush also arrive invariegated form .
As the common name " Elephant Food " indicate , thissucculentis rust by elephant but feeds goats and tortoise as well . It is also used in Southern African cuisine , append to salad , soup , and stews to add a sour tone .
Elephant Bush can develop outdoors inUSDA Plant Hardiness Zones9b through 11b . But , like any other succulent , it has its problems , including the leaf drop .
Photo viatom-piergrossi.squarespace.com
Overwateringis the primary cause of failure in Elephant Bush because it bid fungal rot disease . Leaves of the overwatered plant become egotistic and discolored . The leafage drop may pass off in severe cases . To keep open an overwatered plant , repot it after removing any icky roots .
The leaf drop can also go on if the Elephant Bush is underwatered . Not enough water causes the leaves to dry out up and sometimes drop off . This succulent should bewateredmore often in summertime and less in the winter . Let the soil ironical between waterings . In the winter , give just enough water to keep the leaves from shriveling .
The leafage drop may also occur if the soil does not have proper nutrient or drain caliber . Use peculiarly formulate potting dirt for succulents orcreate your own premix . enough H2O drainage should be a priority for any soil mix for succulents . Adding perlite can help with drainage and aeration if you use even potting soil . Use a balancedfertilizerno more than twice a summertime .
Sudden change in light , temperature , and humidness can all chip in to the leaf drop in Elephant Bush . This succulent prefer full sun , and if relocate to an area of less sunlight , it can bulge out drop leaves .
The same goes for temperature . If you move your plant from a cooler area to a much warmer area or frailty versa , the works may react similarly and begin degenerate leaves . grievous changes in humidness can have the same results . idealistic daylight temperatures for Elephant Bush are 70 to 85 ° F ( 21 to 29 ° ascorbic acid ) , and ideal night temperatures for it are 50 to 55 ° F ( 10 to 13 ° C ) . keep off place the flora near a heating system or aviation conditioning vent to prevent it from get too teetotal . Humidifiers may be used during the wintertime to maintain humidness levels .
Pests and disease can break a flora enough to cause foliage cliff potentially . Pests that can stimulate the most wrong to leafy succulent are whiteflies and scale moths . Other pest can includespider mites , mealybugs , and fungus gnat larvae . disease that dissemble Elephant Bush the most are fungous . These diseases are prevent through right lacrimation , water drainage , and pest ascendence .
Source : sfgate.com
Did you find this helpful ? apportion it with other succulent lovers !
