When it comes to growing and caring for plants, nothing is more exciting than the Delosperma ‘Wheels of Wonder – Fire Wonder’. A gorgeous succulent, it is known for its beautiful colors and long-lasting flowers.
In this article, we’ll go over what makes this plant stand out from the rest, how you can grow it in your garden, and how to care for it once it’s established.
in this article:
About Delosperma ‘Wheels of Wonder – Fire Wonder’
Delosperma ‘Wheels of Wonder – Fire Wonder’ is a striking variety of Delosperma cooperi that’s become quite popular in cultivation.
The blue-green leaves of this plant are shaped like small wedges and are usually between 1 and 2 inches long. The flowers are red with yellow centers, making them truly beautiful when in bloom.
It does well in containers or as ground cover plants if you live in areas where they can be grown outside year-round. It is also easy to care for once established, so if you’re looking for a new addition to your garden, consider adding this one!
Delosperma ‘Wheels of Wonder – Fire Wonder’ Care
If you’re looking for an easy-to-grow plant that will add an element of beauty to your garden or patio, you may want to consider adding this plant to your collection. It is very easy to care for, it requires little maintenance, and it can be used as ground cover or in containers.
Light
This plant will grow best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers bright light, but it can tolerate some shade. If you want the plant to bloom, it should be placed in a spot with at least five hours of sunlight per day.
Soil
The best soil for Delosperma ‘Wheels of Wonder – Fire Wonder’ is open and well-drained soil. It should be sandy or gravelly loam with a pH between 6 and 7.5.
Water
The ‘Wheels of Wonder – Fire Wonder’ Delosperma should be watered regularly but not overly so. The soil should be kept moist but never soggy. If the soil is not allowed to drain completely, the plant may die or become unhealthy. If this happens, try soaking the soil with water until it drains completely through the bottom of the pot before watering again.
Temperature
The ‘Wheels of Wonder – Fire Wonder’ Delosperma prefers temperatures between 60°F and 80°F (15°C-27°C). This plant will not tolerate temperatures below -20°F, and if it does experience these low temperatures for an extended period, it may become sickly or die off completely.
Humidity
The humidity should be between 40% and 60%. If it is too low, the leaves will become pale and even start to fall off. If it is too high, you will see mold on the leaves.
Fertilizer
You can apply some balanced fertilizer in the spring or summer months. However, do not add too much fertilizer because it can burn your plant’s roots.
Pruning
Use sharp tools such as shears and clippers so that you don’t damage any of the stems or leaves. Trim away any dead foliage or damaged branches, but make sure not to trim back into healthy areas of growth as this will cause them to die back as well.
Potting and Repotting Delosperma ‘Wheels of Wonder – Fire Wonder’
Repotting should be done in spring or summer at the beginning of growth. The plant must be moved to a larger pot, and the roots should be pruned back, so they do not overgrow the new pot. Only repot when the plant is no longer thriving in its current pot or when the root system has become root bound (has grown around and over itself).
Prepare
How to Repot (Step-by-Step)
- Fill a pot with soil that is about 2 inches (5 cm) wider than the root ball.
- Remove the ice plant from its container and gently remove any circling roots around the root ball.
- Carefully tease apart any circling roots and spread them out evenly in the pot.
- Add more soil to fill the pot and pat it down firmly around the plant’s roots so they are completely covered by soil.
- Water your newly repotted plant thoroughly, allowing water to drain out of the bottom of the pot before you leave it to dry for a day or two before watering again.
Propagating Delosperma ‘Wheels of Wonder – Fire Wonder’ (Step-by-Step)
To propagate this plant from cuttings, use the following steps:
- Take 3-4 inch long cuttings from the tips of healthy-looking shoots.
- Remove all leaves except two or three at the bottom of each cutting.
- Dip the end into rooting hormone and then place it in a small container of perlite or vermiculite (about 4 inches deep).
- Place your cuttings in a warm, bright place (ideally 70 degrees F., but no warmer than 85) until they show signs of new growth (about 2-3 weeks).
- Transplant your new plants into another container with potting soil when they’re about 3 inches high and ready to transplant into their permanent home (around six weeks).
Blooms
From early summer through fall, Delosperma ‘Wheels of Wonder – Fire Wonder’ will produce beautiful daisy-like flowers with yellow centers and red petals. These flowers are pollinated by bees and other insects, which will help them to make seeds.
Toxicity
Delosperma ‘Wheels of Wonder – Fire Wonder’ is not toxic to humans or animals.
NOTE: This page is not intended as a substitute for veterinary advice. The toxicity of an ingested substance varies depending on the amount ingested, the animal’s weight, and its sensitivity to specific allergens. Contact your veterinarian or local animal poison control center immediately if you think your pet may have ingested a toxic substance.
Common Pests
Aphids
The most common pest for this plant are aphids, which look like tiny green insects with large round bodies. These pests suck sap from plants and can cause leaves and flowers to wilt and die. To control them, simply spray the plant with water every few days until they’re gone.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are small, round insects that live on the underside of leaves and feed on their juices. To get rid of them, use insecticidal soap sprayed directly on the mealybug infestation.
Spider Mites
Spider mites are tiny arachnids that suck the sap out of plants’ leaves. They leave behind webs that look like silken threads when they’re mature adults (particularly bad infestations may also leave behind silken webs when they’re still nymphs). The webs are a sign that you have a spider mite infestation.
AVOID
- Overwatering
- Placing under harsh sunlight
- Using poorly drained potting mediums
- Fertilizing during dormancy
