A variety of Delosperma cooperi, this flowering plant is a must-have for your garden. With its beautiful golden flowers, Delosperma ‘Wheels of Wonder – Golden Wonder’ is sure to add color and excitement to your outdoor space.
In this article, we’ll take a look at what makes this particular variety so great, as well as some tips for growing it in your garden.
in this article:
About Delosperma ‘Wheels of Wonder – Golden Wonder’
Delosperma ‘Wheels of Wonder – Golden Wonder’, also known as “Golden Wonder”, is a beautiful succulent plant with the distinct Ice Plant charm we all know and love Delosperma plants for.
It has a thick, fleshy stem and attractive, daisy-like flowers. Its leaves are light green or blue-green in color and have a smooth texture. It flowers in the summer months all the way through fall, and its flowers are bright yellow-gold with a white center.
These golden flowers are impressive—they’re about 2 inches wide and grow to cover the foliage entirely. You’ll get more bang for your buck with this one!
Delosperma ‘Wheels of Wonder – Golden Wonder’ Care
This plant is very popular among gardeners because it’s so easy to grow and care for. It is also incredibly easy to handle and forgives mistakes quite easily.
Light
This plant requires bright, direct light (full sun). It can handle some shade but will not bloom as much as it would in brighter light.
To grow properly, you need to provide it with full sunlight for 6-8 hours per day.
Soil
This plant is a succulent, so it likes well-drained soil rich in organic matter. If you have heavy clay soil, try mixing in some compost or perlite before planting.
Water
The amount of water this plant requires varies depending on the weather conditions and the type of soil you use. In general, avoid watering more frequently than once a week, and don’t let the water stay in the pot for any length of time. Immediate drainage is necessary for this plant to survive.
Temperature
This plant can grow in a variety of temperatures. It is considered to be a cold hardy plant but will thrive in temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (15 to 27 Celsius).
It is hardy in USDA zones 6-10, making it quite suitable for the cooler regions of the country.
Humidity
The humidity level should be low to moderate, between 40% and 60%. It can tolerate very dry air, but it will not tolerate too much water.
Fertilizer
Growers should apply a balanced fertilizer, such as a general-purpose granular or liquid fertilizer, in spring just before germination and again when seedlings are about 3-6 inches tall. This will encourage good root development and green leaf growth. Once plants are established, they don’t need to be fertilized again unless grown under very poor conditions.
Pruning
This plant grows very quickly and may need to be trimmed back every few months. If you are growing this plant indoors, it is best to trim it back so that only one or two leaves are on each stem. This will help keep your plant healthy and looking good until you can repot it into a larger pot or move it outdoors for the summer months.
Potting and Repotting Delosperma ‘Wheels of Wonder – Golden Wonder’
The best season for repotting is spring, but you could also repot your plant in the fall. If you decide to repot in the summer or fall, ensure the weather has cooled down and is not too hot outside.
If your ice plant has outgrown its current pot or is rootbound (the roots have grown around the edges of its container), it’s time for a bigger pot!
Prepare
How to Repot (Step-by-Step)
- Remove the ice plant from its current container and set it aside.
- Choose a new pot that is 2 inches larger than the current container but not much larger than that.
- Place enough potting soil in the bottom of the new pot to allow for drainage and room for growth, then water it until saturated but not dripping wet.
- Put your plant into the center of the pot, spreading out its roots and filling in around them with more soil as necessary to keep them at their natural level (but no higher).
- Water again until saturation but allow the soil to drain.
Propagating Delosperma ‘Wheels of Wonder – Golden Wonder’ by Cuttings(Step-by-Step)
To propagate Delosperma ‘Wheels of Wonder – Golden Wonder’, take cuttings from the plant.
- Grab a sharp knife and make sure it’s clean.
- Cut the cutting about 6 inches long, about half an inch wide. The smaller the cutting, the faster it will grow roots.
- Use a rooting hormone on the ends of the cuttings to encourage root growth, if desired (this is optional).
- Place your cuttings in a container with moist soil and cover them with plastic wrap or another covering that will keep them warm but not wet until they start to grow roots.
- You can also use an artificial light source, like an LED light bulb, if needed to help stimulate root growth (again, this is optional).
Blooms
Delosperma ‘Wheels of Wonder – Golden Wonder’ produces small flowers that are light yellow. They appear from summer until fall and cover the foliage in splendor, attracting interest and pollinators alike.
Toxicity
Delosperma ‘Wheels of Wonder – Golden Wonder’ is not toxic. However, it is not edible. If consumed, it can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
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
These are tiny green insects that suck the sap from leaves. They leave behind a sticky substance that is known as honeydew. This causes the plant to become sticky and covered in a fungal growth called sooty mold. If you see these insects on your plant, use a small amount of insecticidal soap to kill them off.
Mealybugs
These are also small insects that suck sap from leaves and stems. They can be identified by their fuzzy appearance and their tendency to cluster together in groups. To get rid of mealybugs, use insecticidal soap or horticultural oil.
Spider Mites
These tiny arachnids can often be seen with the naked eye because they move around so quickly! In addition, spider mites cause damage by injecting digestive enzymes into plant tissue so they can feed on it; this causes brown stipples and silvery speckling on leaves.
AVOID
- Overwatering
- Placing under harsh sunlight
- Using poorly drained potting mediums
- Fertilizing during dormancy
