The plant most frequently flowers in the spring however may flower again later in the year. Topsy Debbi is a fairly uncommon plant to discover at garden centers, but it’s simple to care for even for newbies. It has a moderate development rate and is finest planted in the spring.
Common Names: Topsy Debbi, lilac spoons
Botanical Names: x Graptoveria ‘Topsy Debbi’, x Graptoveria ‘Lilac Spoons’
Family: Crassulaceae
Plant Type: Succulent
Mature Size: 6 in. tall, 4 in. wide
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Sandy, well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic, neutral
Bloom Time: Spring
Flower Color: Yellow
Hardiness Zones: 9-11 (USDA)
Native Area: Hybrid, no native range
How To Take Care Of Topsy Debbi – Growing and Caring for Topsy Debbis (Lilac Spoons)
Like most succulents, Topsy Debbi has similar growing requirements. It chooses great deals of sun and heat and only a moderate amount of water.
To start your succulent off right, make sure that it’s planted in well-draining soil. When planted in the garden, it will grow and look its best. But if you live beyond its growing zones, plant the succulent in a container that you can bring indoors for the winter. Strategy to water when the soil dries, fertilize each year, and different congested plants as required.
Light – Growing and Caring for Topsy Debbis (Lilac Spoons)
Topsy Debbi chooses to grow completely sun, indicating a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunshine on the majority of days. Too little light can result in a leggy plant, instead of the tight rosette it’s known for. Nevertheless, the succulent will appreciate some shade from the severe afternoon sun, especially in the hottest parts of its growing zones, to secure it from sunburn.
Soil – Growing and Caring for Topsy Debbis (Lilac Spoons)
Soil with sharp drainage is necessary for Topsy Debbi. It chooses a sandy or gravelly soil. When grown in containers, a potting mix made especially for cacti and succulents is ideal.
Water – Growing and Caring for Topsy Debbis (Lilac Spoons)
It’s very essential to water this succulent sparingly to keep it healthy. Offer it a good soak whenever the soil has practically completely dried, guaranteeing that excess water is draining away from the plant. Refrain from watering up until the soil dries out once again.
Temperature and Humidity – Growing and Caring for Topsy Debbis (Lilac Spoons)
It’s really essential to water this succulent sparingly to keep it healthy. Give it an excellent soak whenever the soil has almost entirely dried out, making sure that excess water is draining away from the plant. Refrain from watering till the soil dries out again.
Fertilizer – Growing and Caring for Topsy Debbis (Lilac Spoons)
Comparable to many succulents, Topsy Debbi doesn’t require much feeding and can endure in lean soil. However it can gain from an annual feeding with a succulent fertilizer in the spring as it’s entering its active development duration
Topsy Debbi Species Types – Growing and Caring for Topsy Debbis (Lilac Spoons)
Topsy Debbi is a hybrid so there are no extra ranges however there are comparable hybrids, such as
‘Fred Yves’, with foliage that alters to various rainbow colors depending upon the quantity of water and light the plant gets. It grows 4 to 8 inches high and about 2 inches in diameter.
‘Excitement’ with blue-green rosette-shaped leaves that have a powdery coating. It has a low-growing, sprawling development habit and sends up flower stalks with star-shaped yellow flowers in the summer.
How To Prune Topsy Debbi – Growing and Caring for Topsy Debbis (Lilac Spoons)
Other than getting rid of damaged or illness leaves, the plant does not need pruning. Get rid of the leaf at the base where it satisfies the stem and carefully twist it off. The breakage point should be tidy so new leaves can grow.
How To Propagate Topsy Debbi – Growing and Caring for Topsy Debbis (Lilac Spoons)
Like all succulents, Topsy Debbi is simple to propagate through separation and leaf cuttings. Healthy mature plants ultimately will grow small balanced out plants, or “puppies,” around their base:
- Carefully separate the offsets from the primary plant.
- Await a couple days prior to replanting to enable the cut end to callous over; otherwise it can rot in the soil.
- Water as you would a mature plant. In a few weeks, you need to begin to see a small plant growing near the roots at the end of the leaf.
To propagate the plant from leaves, carefully separate a healthy, plump leaf from the main plant by wiggling it back and forth up until it pops off. Put the leaf inside a low height container, add some cactus and succulent potting mix and place it in indirect light. Follow the same guidelines as for watering pups above. Do not remove the leaf from this small brand-new succulent, as it’s offering nutrients and moisture. With time, the leaf will shrivel up and fall off on its own.
Growing Topsy Debbi From Seed – Growing and Caring for Topsy Debbis (Lilac Spoons)
Topsy Debbi seeds are not typically offered from seed companies. Seeds that you collect from your plant will not produce a plant that is true to the parent due to the fact that it is a hybrid. That. and the truth that propagating this succulent from pups or leaf cuttings is relatively easy with a great success rate, makes growing it from seed not a suggested alternative.
How To Pot And Repot Topsy Debbi – Growing and Caring for Topsy Debbis (Lilac Spoons)
When growing Topsy Debbi in a container, it is very important to choose a pot with sufficient drainage holes. An unglazed pot is ideal, as it will allow excess soil moisture to leave through its walls along with the drain holes. The container should be just a little larger than the plant’s root ball.
Topsy Debbi stays fairly small and won’t need repotting often. As soon as the roots are outgrowing the container and the leaves have grown well beyond the container walls, then it’s most likely time to repot. When the plant is dormant, the best time to do so is in the spring; prevent repotting in the winter. Select simply one container size up. Gently eliminate the succulent from its old container, shaking off excess soil from the roots, and after that replant it at the exact same depth in the new container with fresh potting mix.
How To Care For Topsy Debbi During Winter – Growing and Caring for Topsy Debbis (Lilac Spoons)
The plant does not endure cold wind well so make sure to plant it in a place where it is protected from cold winter season winds.
Don’t Let Pests And Diseases Ruin Your Topsy Debbi! – Growing and Caring for Topsy Debbis (Lilac Spoons)
Topsy Debbi does not have any severe issues with diseases or bugs. Overwatering can leave it vulnerable to root rot and other illness. Keep an eye out for typical plant pests, including mealybugs and scale, which may hide out in the crevices of its leaves.
Make Topsy Debbi Bloom – Growing and Caring for Topsy Debbis (Lilac Spoons)
If your succulent does not flower, it is more than likely suffering from lack of sunlight. Topsy Debbie requires full sun to grow.
How To Take Care Of Topsy Debbi – Growing and Caring for Topsy Debbis (Lilac Spoons)
While it is usually a trouble-free plant, yellowing leaves and root rot are common problems when the plant is being overwatered. Make sure that the soil has exceptional drainage.
