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Category: Succulents, Stapelia, Sans and ?: Caralluma
Status: Unknown
Initial Notes:
Ordered as a replacement from ebay rcookfish ~ arrived with a bloom.
Entries and Updates
Oct 24, 2007
blurry but a bloom
Dec 18, 2007
DESCRIPTION: This large group consists of tender succulents found wild in Africa, the Canary Islands, India, Arabia, southern Europe, Ceylon, and Afghanistan. These plants may be grown outdoors in the warmer and drier parts of North America, or in greenhouses and window gardens. The plants of this group vary from thin, recumbent stems from ½ to 1½ inches thick to erect growing clumps up to 8 inches high. The spines that cover the angled stems are actually leaves. The star-shaped, fleshy flowers of these plants are some of the worst smelling of the succulent plants. Ordinarily borne in late summer, the foul-smelling blossoms are usually colored purple, black, yellow, tan, maroon, red, or dark brown. They are from ½ to 2 inches or more across and borne at the base of the plant. In the wild, these blossoms are pollinated by flies, which are greatly attracted to the plant. C. socotrana forms a clump of coral-like, pale green stems that grow up to 6 inches high and 2 feet wide. In the autumn, maroon flowers are produced. These are followed by twin-horned, papery seed pods.
POTTING: These succulents can be grown outdoors in mild regions where the temperature doesn't dip below 50º F; otherwise, they can be grown in a greenhouse or window garden. They should be potted in fairly small pots that have great drainage. They love full sun or shade and good ventilation at all times. No extra humidity is needed. They should be potted in two parts of loam, one part of broken bricks and an addition of limestone rubble and sand. Care must be taken in the watering of this plant. The soil should only be moistened when it becomes dry in the summer and in the winter only enough water is needed to keep the stems from withering. Since these plants flower better when they are slightly cramped, they only need to be repotted when they aren't making satisfactory growth.
PROPAGATION: Seeds, cuttings, or division are all suitable methods of propagation; however, division is the easiest. A few roots are usually found at the base of the shoots; detach these and immediately plant them in small pots. If you use cuttings, make sure to lay the pieces in the open air for twenty-four hours to allow a protective "skin" to form on the cut surface. This should be done with all succulent plants. The cuttings are then inserted in sand or sandy soil and placed on a shelf, bench, or windowsill to form roots. They should not be watered until the soil becomes quite dry, after which, they are watered thoroughly. This method of watering is continued until roots have formed. When you raise plants from seeds, you need to first fill the pots with crocks and the rest of the space with sandy compost. Sprinkle the seeds thinly on the surface and lightly cover with soil. Place them in a warm room that has a 55-degree temperature and cover them with a piece of glass until they sprout. When they're large enough to safely handle, set them in a pan of sandy soil, one inch apart. Subsequently, they can be potted separately in small pots.
VARIETEIS: C. europea (low-growing, red-brown flowers); C. lutea (4 inches, yellow flowers); C. melanantha (4 inches, purple-black flowers); C. ramosa (12 inches, purplish flowers); C. Sprengeri (5 inches, purple flowers); C. socotrana.
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Asclepiads are members of the Milkweed family, from many areas of Africa, through the Middle East into Asia. There are many species but few are seen for sale except from specialist sources. The flowers of many are both unusual and spectacular. Although not true of all of them, they are often called carrion flowers because of the foul smell some produce in order to attract pollinators. Huernia pillansii (HINT : keeping the less pleasantly smelling flowers out of direct sunlight reduces the strength of the odour.) Cultivation / Plantcare Most come from very arid areas, but many will thrive in cultivation given some heat and care with watering. Damp conditions (either air or compost) must be avoided during cold weather to avoid the rapid onset of rot. Watering Regular watering during warm summer weather is beneficial, but the compost must be allowed to dry out between waterings and it must never be allowed to become waterlogged. If the weather turns cold watering should be stopped. Waterings must be reduced in early Autumn and the plants left dry during the winter months. Tomato type fertiliser should be applied monthly during the summer. Position A bright position, with some sunshine is preferred. Too much sun will lead to slow growing, pinkish, sunburnt plants. Too little light results in rapid, lush green growth which is very prone to fungal rot. Temperature For safety the minimum winter temperature for most asclepiads should be around 12ºC (55ºF), however some of the more common species will survive, though not enjoy, temperatures down to about 4ºC (40ºF). In summer, they can withstand quite high temperatures, though good ventilation must be provided if temperatures are excessive. Orbea variegata Compost A coarse, very free draining, gritty, peat based compost with added grit is recommended. It is a wise to put some grit in the bottom of the pot for drainage and also to add a layer to the top of the mixture. The latter is decorative and it also helps protect the stems from moisture in the compost. Acknowledgement Please feel free to print, copy and distribute these cultivation notes. We do ask however that the BCSS Teesside Branch (www.teessidecacti.org) is acknowledged as their source on any such copies.
