Sedum makinoi 'Tornado'

Origins of Sedum makinoi 'Tornado'

Sedum makinoi comes from temperate parts of East Asia and is native in China, Korea and Japan.

'Tornado' is a named form grown for its compact, trailing habit in pots.

Growing Sedum makinoi 'Tornado' indoors

• Light: A bright filtered position keeps 'Tornado' compact. Once the plant has adjusted, a little mild direct sun can also suit it.
• Water: During active growth, water once the top of the compost has partly dried. Soak the pot and let it drain well.
• Slower growth: When shoot production slows, leave the compost dry for longer and water less often.
• Potting mix: Choose a peat-free loam mix with plenty of grit or perlite for quick drainage.
• Temperature: Normal room temperatures suit 'Tornado'. Keep the plant warm while the compost is damp.
• Feeding: Feed at half strength about once a month while the plant is making fresh growth.
• Humidity: Normal household humidity suits the fleshy leaves. Gentle airflow is useful around the dense stems.
• Propagation: Healthy stem pieces root readily in fresh, free-draining compost.
• Repotting: Repot when roots fill the available space or the compost starts draining noticeably more slowly.

Care problems on Sedum makinoi 'Tornado'

• The crown or lower stems turn soft: Rot is starting after prolonged wetness. Let the pot dry, then inspect the plant. Cut away rotten growth with a clean, disinfected blade until the remaining tissue is firm and healthy. Healthy pieces can be rooted in fresh free-draining mix.
• New stems become long with wide gaps between leaves: 'Tornado' needs brighter light. Increase light gradually and check whether new growth becomes denser.
• Leaves become thin and wrinkled in dry compost: The plant needs a thorough watering. During active growth, soak the pot and drain it well.
• White cottony pockets form between leaves: Mealybugs can hide in the tight foliage. Keep the plant separate and use a mealybug treatment at the repeat intervals shown on its label.
• The top stays plump while growth weakens below: Vine weevil larvae may be damaging the roots. Check the roots and compost for larvae. If any are present, use a product labelled for vine weevil and follow its directions.

Keep Sedum makinoi ‘Tornado’ away from children and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its effects after chewing or swallowing are unclear, and plant material can still cause an upset stomach.
• Contact a veterinarian or medical professional if symptoms develop or do not settle.

Why is it called Sedum makinoi?

Sedum is the classical Latin name for stonecrops. The epithet makinoi commemorates the Japanese botanist Tomitaro Makino.

Carl Linnaeus established the genus Sedum in 1753 in Species Plantarum, page 430.

Carl Johann Maximowicz first described Sedum makinoi in 1888 in Bulletin de l’Académie Impériale des Sciences de Saint-Pétersbourg, series 3, volume 32, page 487.