This fantastic plant was not this dark before..
The upper pic show it in its usual shade or its kid shade maybe it darkens a bit when turning to the adulthood ( That is when a Dyckia blooms. If a Dyckia has not bloomed it has not got into adulthood and its final mask is still to fall.))
This is its first winter as a grown up plant.
What darkens this Dyckia?
Well first of all the plant genetic characteristics.
Here guess that what triggered this dark shade of red wine color were some
very clear motives.
Cold, the cold specially cold nights and clear days seemed to favor this.
Also fertilizing at the very same strength of the hot days and plenty of humidity.
Those seem to be the triggering agents.
Sure the plant will not hold this color for longer and sure again this color will come back
during winter time.
Well this is all guessing..do no go on freezing your plants, Dyckias relish cooler nights but they do not enjoy freezing . They may survive to freezing but I do not want survivors. I want happy creatures.
Talking about fertilizers, what do you feed your Dyckias? They do look very healthy and well fed with clusters of young leaves on just about every pictures shown in your blog. :~)
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