Haworthia Cooper: places of growth, history of the name and rules of care, as well as a brief description of common subspecies of succulents, including varieties of truncate

Some types of haworthia have an interesting feature. At the ends of their leaves are small transparent areas that look like windows. Through them, light penetrates deep into the tissues of the plant.

Haworthia cooperi is a representative of the genus Haworthia, a miniature succulent herbaceous plant, named after the scientist and researcher for cacti and succulents Cooper, who discovered this amazing plant in 1809.

Places of growth

Haworthia species grows in South and South-West Africa. In those arid places, plants can find shelter only in the shade of rare bushes or stones, and sometimes in the soil, leaving only the tops of the leaves on the surface.

The species has about 166 different kinds of representatives. The first copies were brought to Europe in the 18th century.

Name History

The genus Haworthia owes its name and fame to Adrian Hardy Haworth, an English botanist and entomologist.

Haworthia Cooper is sometimes called the Living Stone. Its rigid vertical leaves, collected in several outlets, form an amazingly beautiful landscape.

Appearance

Haworthia cooperi grows in small, fleshy, light green rosettes. In the wild, the plant is hidden from the burning sun in the sand, only rosettes protrude to the surface. The leaves are transparent at the tops with transparent veins closing at the tip of the leaf, have long bristles of villi on the "tips" and small villi at the edges. In addition, Cooper's leaves are always straight, which distinguishes him from, for example, Haworthia retusa, in which the leaves are twisted.

Subspecies

Cooper has a fairly wide variety of subspecies:

Haworthia cooperi var. sooperi - typical view.
Haworthia cooperi var. truncata - has truncated leaves.
Haworthia cooperi var. pilifera - the most widespread variety, has short, low, blue-green leaves with slightly pronounced bristles.
Haworthia cooperi var. dielsiana / joeyae - common in cultivation, with blue-green, short, low leaves without fleecy bristles, the tips are rounded.
Haworthia cooperi var. davidii - a variety whose leaves are long, completely translucent, with possible red veins.
Haworthia cooperi var. leightonii - the variety, prevailing in the east, bears fruit well, the leaves are reddish in the sun.
Haworthia cooperi var. doldii - a variety having thin, narrow and sharp leaves.
Haworthia cooperi var. puberula - a variety with thin, narrow and "fluffy" leaves of yellow-green color.
Haworthia cooperi var. venusta - a variety whose leaves are thick, dense, small, "fluffy" and blue-green.

Where and how to plant?

Succulents are unpretentious plants (this is due to the harsh conditions of the natural environment in which they grow). And Haworthia was no exception. But To obtain the best result and condition of the plant, care for it is necessary. There are certain recommendations for it, following which will help you grow a healthy, long-lived, original and surprisingly beautiful plant at home.

Lighting and location

Since in nature the plant prefers to stay in the shade of stones or rare bushes, then at home it must be kept either in partial shade, or under bright but scattered sunlight.

Cooper loves plentiful lighting, but does not tolerate direct sunlight. Thus, the best solution would be to place the succulent at the west, east or south window of the house, and being at the north window may adversely affect the condition of the plant.

Soil requirements

Acceptable for Haworthia is considered soil with ph <6 (non-acidic) environment.

Perfectly takes root in ready-made mixtures for succulents with the addition of clay or special blends for haworthia. Homemade substrates made of sand, peat, humus, sod land and crumb brick in equal proportions are also perfect.

Brick chips are required to prevent decay of the roots and stem of the plant. The content of organic matter in the soil and its breathability are very important.

How to care?

Temperature.
Up to 30 ⁰C in spring and summer, and 17-19 ⁰C in the autumn-winter period. Such a low temperature in winter provides the plant with a rest. This is a necessary period in the life cycle of a succulent.
This kind of haworthia is adapted to dry air. Therefore, it does not require spraying, and in the warm season, you can take it out into the street in partial shade lighting.
Watering.
Watering Cooper is recommended from the pan. In summer and spring up to 2 times a week, and in winter and autumn up to 2 times a month:
1. Pour water into the pan.
2. Put the pot in the pan.
3. After 10 minutes, drain the remaining water from the sump.
Fertilizer.
For this, traditional dressing for succulents is suitable. It can be used from March to October no more than once a month. Nutrition is necessary for the plant during the period of active growth. During dormancy, complementary foods are optional.
An excess of minerals adversely affects the condition of the plant
The disease.
The most important thing in growing Haworthia Cooper is compliance with agricultural technology. For example, with waterlogging, the tips of the leaves darken, and the plant dies, and with a lack of light, the plant loses its decorative properties and color, the leaves can lengthen and fade. Damaged leaves should be removed immediately.
Haworthia can be affected by aphids or mealy worms. If the damage area is not too large, then you can treat the plant with soapy water, otherwise it is better to get rid of it.

Propagation Features

Haworthia cooperi propagated by seeds, leaves or side shoots:

Propagation by seeds occurs in the traditional way. Seeds are bought at a flower shop and planted. The growth process is quite long, it is often practiced by breeders.
Lateral shoots (also called "babies") are separated from the mother's outlet and planted in a separate pot with a substrate. But you can only transplant opaque outlets, since chlorophyll is absent in transparent ones, and they are not ready for independent growth.
The leaves are cut, processed with ash or charcoal and "tapped" for 2-3 days.

Agricultural cultivation

Haworthia cooperi should be grown in round, wide and shallow pots under diffused sunlight.
At an air temperature of 25-28 ⁰C in spring and summer and 18 ⁰Since in the autumn-winter period, the plant does not need additional humidification of air.
Watering is carried out 2 times a week in the warm season and 2 times a month in the cold.
Fertilize no more than once a month in warm weather and during the period of active growth; during dormancy, fertilizer is not required.
Transplant no more than once a year, if the succulent is crowded in its pot.

Conclusion

Haworthia Cooper is a popular, beautiful, unpretentious and exotic plant. It can become an adornment of any garden, home or interior. If you follow all the rules for handling this succulent, it will delight you and your guests for many years.