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Cacti & Succulents

How do I keep the color on my Hummel's Golden Sunset?

13 years ago

In March of 2007 I got a Hummel's Golden Sunset and it was bright and beautiful. It has slowly reverted to green with just an occasional hint of color. It there a sun, water or fertilizer requirement that I'm missing? Thanks for any help you can give.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:589528}}

Comments (6)

cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
13 years ago
LB,

Yes - the more stress, i.e. tight soil, little watering, more sun, adding/not adding food, and of course the condition of the plant, type of pot, amount of wind...well, the list may go on, but those are the things that chiefly influence the colour of a succulent plant.

If you want it with more than green, water it less and give it more sun. You can feed it when you water, but cutting down on the water and increasing the sun, gradually (and this is best with constant air circulation, i.e. outside) until it's full sun, will put some reds onto your plant.
littlebird
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks for the tips cactusmcharris, I understand the concept. I've had it in too much shade (outside-except for winter) and done lots of watering and some feeding. I'll gently stress it starting with morning sun and drier soil. Happy Gardening
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Hey Jade Man, I agree with you 100% I bought 2 really nice large Hummel Sunsets from Lorraine this summer. Noth were coloring up nicely. The first Hummel was able to spend time outdoors before I had to move it in for the winter. The other Hummel never had that chance. From what I have experienced, cuttings do stay green after they have rooted. I have recieved 3 from my friend Norma and they didn't begin to color up until this fall. On the other hand, the 2 that I got from Lorraine, continued to color up even when they were not recieving bright light. I think that when they are stressed, they color even more. Matter of fact, I know they do, Norma told me that. The first Hummel's colors started improving more when I put it out but I didn't gradually increase the sunlight like I knew I had too do. The leaves didn't completely lose all thee color but they faded. The second Hummel I have growing about 6ft away from my 600watt HPS light and the leaves are still turning a nice rich red color. Linda, I would caution you from leaving your jades outdoors even when a frost is predicted. I had 2 really nice Hummel's cuttings(They were my largest and nicest) that I had up against a wall and even covered by the porch ceiling. I remember one of the crutial requirements was to keep the soil bone dry and I did yet the next morning they looked like cooked spinach:( I didn't totally lose either of them. I remember Josh telling the forum that you shouldn't cut anything back right away or water. I finally can see some healthy stems so they will come back. It will take some time but they will come back. Andrew
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puglvr1
13 years ago
Littlebird, Unfortunately, I lose all my beautiful colors on my Hummel's sunset starting around early May through late November. For me it doesn't make any difference whether I let it go bone dry, put it in the sun 8 hours a day and NO fertilizer...once my weather starts to get mid 80's and my nights stay at 70Â° or warmer consistantly , I start losing my beautiful colors. Too hot and humid...mine pretty much goes dormant this time of year too. At least for me in FL, I need the combination of cold nights and full sun in conjunction to get my Hummel's sunset reach its gorgeous colors, at least that's been my experience with mine.
This was taken in end of February...
{{gwi:589529}}
This was taken today...
{{gwi:589530}}
Andrew Scott
13 years ago
Hi Nanci,
Your February pic is awesome! Must be frustrating to have todeal with that. If you grew it indoors in a window that recieves direct sun, would that help it hold more color? I am asume you run A/C quite often. Would that affect it at all?
Andrew
paracelsus
13 years ago
Color is more dependent on season than any stress factor. The duration of light and thermoperiodicity are the biggest determinants of color development. They just green up naturally during the spring growing season, stay that way while dormant in mid-summer unless it is really hot and dry, and through the early fall growing season. It is in the middle of winter that many Crassulaceae show the most color. Examples are Echeveria, Sedum, and Crassula.

Brad
puglvr1
13 years ago
Hi Andrew, no it doesn't make any difference weather its inside in a/c or not. Not that I would ever set my thermostat at 59â or colder(that's when mine starts to color up), the colder it is and the more sun in gets the brighter the colors. I wouldn't keep my house that cold, my electric bill would be through the roof,lol...

Brad, thanks for the great info and explanation, makes sense. Winter is definitely when I see the best color and into early Spring. Not a long time to enjoy the gorgeous colors, but I'm grateful I get to experience it even if its short lived.

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