Graptoveria, or also known as ‘Fred Ives’, is one of the most delightful plants that belong to the family of succulents. It is a hybrid between Graptopetalum paraguayense and Echeveria gibbiflora that can grow 4-8 inches tall and 2 inches in diameter. Furthermore, Fred Ives has foliage that can change color depending on the amount of water and sunlight they are getting, from a glowing pinkish-purple one to almost any color of the rainbow, which makes them ideal for adding color accent in rock gardens or plant containers mixed with other plants.
Aside from that, Graptoveria Fred Ives is very durable and one of the most resilient succulents out there. So, if you are a busy office worker or a novice gardener, this is the perfect plant for you!
Watering
Although Graptoveria Fred Ives are drought-tolerant, they actually have special needs when it comes to watering. As a matter of fact, it is one of the factors to be considered in order to keep them healthy.
A general rule of thumb to determine if your Fred Ives needs a good drink is through its soil. How? Simply stick your finger in the soil, if you feel that the top layer is completely dry, then it is time to give it a good soak of water, then tossing away any excess from the saucer. Doing this will ensure that your Fred Ives will always be hydrated. Plus, it prevents root rots or pest infestation due to overwatering.
During summer, water your Fred Ives less than normal as they become dormant during this time. Just give them a drink once every two weeks so they won’t get dehydrated and shrivel.
Soil
Like any other succulents, Graptoveria Fred Ives hates sitting in wet for too long as this makes their roots absorb a lot of water where they may end up getting rot or pest infestation. Overall, make sure that you plant your Fred Ives using cactus soil with extra perlite. This will ensure that they will dry out quickly, hence, preventing future problems due to overwatering.
Temperature
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Gratoveria Fred Ives love the full sun. Given enough sunlight, they can turn into really vivid color. They can also tolerate some partial sun so it is ideal to to grow Fred Ives in a container outdoor.
While Graptoveria ‘Fred Ives’ is a succulent that can handle cold well, they are not frost resistant. So if you are located in a place where it becomes too cold, it is ideal to plant them in a pot where they can easily be carried inside once the temperature starts falling below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Just make sure to place it in a bright window where it can still get good lighting to maintain their vibrant colors, and transfer it back outdoors once the weather calmed down for good sunlight.
Growth cycle
If there’s one problem that Graptoveria Fred Ives does not have is growing. As a matter of fact, they are known to be aggressive and fast growers. However, like most plants, Fred Ives also goes through their dormancy period every summer, where intense heat is present. During these times, they are more focused on developing their roots, rather than growing. This is their way to be able to tolerate the heat and drought better.
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Now, as soon as Fred Ives enters this phase, they will not be needing as much water compared to when they are actively growing. So consider limiting the amount of water that you are giving them as they tend to rot quickly during dormancy.
Propagation
There are 3 ways to propagate Graptoveria ‘Fred Ives’. First is through its leaves where you will need to gently twist it off from the stem. Make sure to choose a healthy leaf for the propagation to be successful.
The second way is through cuttings. In order to perform this method, you'll need to use clean sharp scissors or pruning shears then carefully cutting off a piece of your Fred Ives.
And lastly, you may also propagate your Fred Ives through its offset where you will also need to use a clean sharp knife to remove it from the mother plant. Once removed, make sure to get rid of the extra soil that comes with it.
No matter what method you use to propagate your Fred Ives, replant them only after the leaves, cuttings, or offset callous over. Make sure to put them in well-draining soil, and only give them a drink once the soil is dry to the touch.
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All in all, Graptoveria Fred Ives is one of the easiest succulents to care for. However, one still needs to know a few basics in order for them to have a long and happy life. And hopefully, with the tips in this post, you now have all the information you need to properly care for your gorgeous Fred Ives.
