White velvet (Tradescantia sillamontana) is a perennial evergreen species native to northeastern Mexico. White velvet can grow in areas with very little water and is one of the most drought-tolerant species in its genus. This species won’t flower if it is given too much water or too much shade. White velvet is a popular plant in ornamental rock gardens in subtropical regions and in Europe.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Tradescantia sillamontana is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant of the genus Tradescantia. This species is one of the most succulent and xerophytic, but at the same time one of the most attractive species of Tradescantia. It is endemic to dry areas of the State of Nuevo León in northeastern Mexico and can also be found in Spain and Italy.
This plant has a very recognizable and distinctive appearance. The leaves are arranged in a precise geometric shape. Almost completely white hairs cover all parts of the plant: leaves, shoots, and even the buds. These protect the plant from direct sunlight and excessive evaporation. Shoots and stems reach a height of 30–40 cm, first erect, later prostrate and rooting at the soil surface. The leaves are fleshy, ovate, 3–7 cm long, covered with grayish-white short hairs. During the summer, the flowers appear at apical growth points or in the axils of the bracts; these are typical Tradescantia flowers. The corolla consists of three bright purplish-pink to purple petals and three small sepals.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
The white velvet loves light. Insufficient light will lead to overgrowth and yellow leaves, but intense light will burn plants. If it is over-shaded, the white velvet will also grow poorly, with slender leaves and small flowers, making it better to cultivate the plant in a semi-shaded place. If it is cared for indoors, place your plant in a bright location and move it to an outdoor, semi-shaded spot for a period of time every one or two months. This method is conducive to the plant’s accumulation of nutrients and growth.
Temperature
The white velvet is native to America and grows well at a temperature of 18 to 30 ℃. It doesn’t like the cold and frost of winter, meaning that its overwintering temperature needs to be kept above 10 ℃. Once the temperature drops below 4 ℃, the plant will enter a dormant state. At 0 ℃, the plant may be frozen to death directly. The white velvet prefers a humid environment and requires the relative humidity of the air in its growth environment to be between 60-75%. It is not resistant to drought or water-logging.
Watering
The white velvet likes humidity but is afraid of water-logging. Sufficient water should be given to the plant in its growth period, otherwise the plant will stop growing, or even die, if planted in a too-dry area. At the end of fall, sufficient water should be poured for thorough freezing-up of the soil. At the beginning of spring, water should be well poured for thawing of the soil. It is required that the soil be slightly wet; too much moisture will cause root rot. Generally, watering should be carried out at least once a month.
Less water is needed in the winter. Spray the leaves with water frequently if your plant is experiencing dry weather with high temperatures. After a heavy rain, any logged water should be drained in time to prevent root rot caused by excessive soaking.
Soil
The white velvet isn’t fussy when it comes to soil, and the plant can grow normally in both sandy and loam soil. With certain saline-alkali tolerance, it can also grow in mild saline-alkali soil, although it does best in neutral or alkaline soil. The white velvet likes fertilizer; it won’t grow well in poor soil, with slender plants that have no or few flowers. When it is cultured as a potted plant, perlite with good water permeability and drainage can be selected as its substrate, while sandy loam is also a good choice.
Fertilizing
The white velvet does not require much fertilizer, but sufficient nutrients will contribute to more beautiful flowers. Before planting, sufficient base fertilizer should be applied, while an organic or compound fertilizer should be applied every 2 weeks during the growth period. Timely watering after fertilization can prevent the root system from being damaged.
From a seasonal point of view, fertilizer is applied once a fortnight in the spring and fall, but applied according to its growth in the summer and winter. Generally, a nitrogen fertilizer should be applied in the spring, and a compound fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium should be applied once in early summer. If the cultivation area is barren, or the plant’s growth is weak, the frequency of fertilization can be increased.
At the end of fall, in combination with watering for the freezing-up of soil, an organic or compound fertilizer should be applied once more into the shallow layer of soil. Pay attention to the balance of nutrition when fertilizing; excessive application of a nitrogen fertilizer will make plants more prone to lodging and vulnerable to diseases.
Pruning
In order to keep its graceful plant shape and prolong its flowering period in the fall, it is necessary to consistently remove dense and diseased leaves. Old stems should be trimmed, and you should also maintain ventilation and light transmission, which will promote the growth of new tillers. After flowering, the residual flower stems, as well as any dead branches and leaves, should be cut off to promote the development of new flower stems.
Propagation
The white velvet can be propagated by offshoots and cuttings. Offshoot propagation is generally carried out before germination in early spring. Only vigorous and well-proportioned plants should be chosen as stock plants. Dig the plant out of the soil, remove the soil, brush it off the roots with a brush, and then separate the root from the stock plant with a knife. Then, smear the wound with sulfur powder or plant ash, and dry it slightly before planting.
It is best to carry out cuttage propagation in the late spring or summer. Before cutting, substrates should be disinfected, and drugs should be applied to prevent the cuttings from harm by underground pests. The cutting should be selected from the main stem or a mature lateral branch. The base end needs to be cut flat from the stem node, and the top end from the leaf axils, and 2/3 of its leaves should also be cut off.
Cuttings need to be dipped in clear water for 1-2 hours to soak off the incision mucus, so as to facilitate faster rooting. The cutting depth should be 1/3 of the length of the cutting, and sufficient watering will be necessary after cutting. Keep the substrate moist, and the cutting will root in 10 to 15 days. After rooting, the water content should be gradually kept in control, and a thin liquid fertilizer should be continuously sprayed to promote a stronger and thicker root system.
Pests and Diseases
- Root rot
Although Cobweb Spiderwort likes moist soil, letting the roots sit in too much water can result in water mold leading to root rot. The indications that root rot has set include wilting, and if left untreated, it can cause the plant to die. The fungal infection starts from the root tips, progressing up the roots, turning them mushy, with a brown or black color. That’s why it’s essential to ensure the plant grows in well-draining soil. Once root rot affects the plant, it will need to be removed entirely and discarded.
- Rust
White velvet is also affected by a fungal disease (Puccinia) that results in the plant’s leaves developing reddish-orange or rust-coloured lesions. Usually, this occurs in plants that do not grow in full sun. Feeding the plant with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer can reduce the chance of rust, as it usually happens due to low-nitrogen and too little water. Thinning of the plants can reduce the occurrence of rust.
- Aphids and spider mites
Spiderwort can be attacked by aphids that suck the juice from the leaves, thereby weakening the plant. They can also spread other diseases. Stunted growth, yellowing leaves and leaf curling are signs of aphid attack. Spider mites usually attach themselves to the leaves’ undersides, causing yellowing, stippling and drying. The best way to treat these insects is by spraying water at high pressure to knock them off the leaves. Alternatively, insecticidal soap can be used for severe infestations.
III. Uses and Benefits
In the subtropical zone this is one of the most popular garden plants. In Europe it is sometimes cultivated in gardens and rock gardens, but in the winter it is brought into a cool greenhouse or protected from cold and moisture with a temporary shelter.
IV. Harvesting and Storage
The white velvet flowers in the summer or early fall. It can be harvested at this time too by drying the flowers in the sun to retain their original bright color. The whole grass can also be cut for use as a medicine.
Find Where to Buy the Best Cobweb Spiderwort (Tradescantia sillamontana)
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