![]() They typically need to be repotted every 2 to 4 years, depending on the pot's size and growth rate. RepottingĬonophytums will benefit from repotting. Use a fertilizer with low nitrogen levels diluted to half or even quarter strength. It is best to feed at the beginning of the growth period and just before flowering. ![]() FertilizingĬonophytums are light feeders and do not need fertilizer if they are repotted every two years. Too much water can lead to root rot or produce a new pair of leaves at the wrong time of year. During active growth, if leaves start to wrinkle, your Conophytum needs water. In the fall, when plants will begin growing, it is safe to water deeply, allowing the soil to dry before watering again. When Conophytums go dormant in the spring, they require little or no water. During this period, the plant resembles a pebble hence the common name "Living Pebble." Watering They actively grow from fall to winter and go through a period of dormancy from spring to summer when the existing leaves dry up and protect the new pair of leaves in a papery sheath. General Care for ConophytumĪs with all Mesembs, Conophytums have a specific growing and resting period. Pot SizeĬonophytums spread up to 2 feet (60 cm) in diameter in habitat, but in cultivation, they are usually grown in pots about 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) in diameter. If you live in colder areas of the world where winter temperatures drop below freezing, it is best to grow these plants in containers that can be brought indoors. High temperatures are not a problem for Conophytums, but they can be damaged when the temperature goes below 32 ☏ (0 ☌). Use a commercial potting mix specially designed for growing succulents or make your own. SoilĬonophytums thrive best in porous soil mixes that allow water to drains away quickly. ![]() The plants stretch if they need more light. At the end of the dormant season, increase sun exposure gradually over several days to prevent shocking the plant. To avoid sunburn, place them in a position to receive a few hours of full sun in cooler periods of the day. Most Conophytums need bright light but do not like too much direct sun. Conophytums also do well in rock crevices. These succulents are ideal for growers with limited growing space. Photo via Exotic PlantsĪdvertisements Growing Conditions for ConophytumĬonophytums are usually grown in containers where they spread slowly. Their conically united leaves and petals fused into a basal tube distinguish them from most other mesembs. Some species of Conophytum are mistaken for Lithops. The flowers are small, daisy-like, and in a wide range of colors with yellow or orange centers. Most of them produce flowers in late summer through fall. Conophytums can be divided into day-blooming, twilight-blooming, and night-blooming species. The plant colors range from shades of green and blue to red and brown. They can be bilobed, ball-shaped, tubular to conical, egg-shaped, or cylindrical with very smooth to hairy, or slightly rough epidermis, sometimes spotted, lined, or windowed. The bodies consist of two fleshy, partially or entirely fused leaves and range in height from 0.25 to 2 inches (0.6 to 5 cm). The generic name "Conophytum" derives from the Latin "conus," meaning "cone," and the Greek "phytum," meaning "plant," and refers to the fused, cone-shaped leaves in most of the species.Ĭonophytums are dwarf plants that usually form dense clusters of leaf pairs, but some species are solitary. The genus is sometimes wrongly referred to as Conophyton, a generic name suggested by Adrian Hardy Haworth in 1821. The genus was officially recognized and formally described by Nicholas Edward Brown in 1922. He described two different species, Conophytum obcordellum and Conophytum obconellum, later combined into one species, Conophytum obcordellum. In 1821, the plants were first described by Adrian Hardy Haworth. The first specimens of this genus were collected by the Scottish botanist Francis Masson in 1776 and sent to the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew. They are commonly known as Button Plants, Cone Plants, Dumplings, or Living Pebbles. The species are native to South Africa and southern Namibia, typically found in the arid and semi-arid winter rainfall areas. The name "Mesemb" is derived from the old family name Mesembryanthemaceae, now placed in Aizoaceae. Conophytum is a genus of about 110 succulents that belong to the group of plants called Mesembs.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |