Agave x Manfreda 'Bloodspots'
Archive for the ‘Plants’ category
Agave ‘Bloodspots’
December 12th, 2011Winter Flowering Miniature Succulents: Cheiridopsis
December 5th, 2011Cheiridopsis is a genus of unusual succulent plants mostly from south-western Africa. Grown this sandy soil, these succulents are perfect choice for dish gardens, as small pot plants, miniature gardens, or rockeries for because of their low growing and clump forming habits.
Cheiridopsis, Image by Manuel M. Ramos
Almost all species of Cheiridopsis grow in pairs of thick succulent leaves of olive or pale-green colors tinged with red and pink tips. Flowers usually appear from center of leaf-pair and resemble the flowers of daisy. Mature plants would form thick clumps and flower profusely in winter when Cheiridopsis would bloom and grow vigorously after a long dormant period in summer.
Cheiridopsis can be grown from seeds and planted in sandy soil to provide very well drained soil system. Provide these plants spots where they are protected from winter frost and direct sunlight of summer. Water barely enough to keep them alive in summer. Start moderate watering in winter.
Popular species include:
Cheiridopsis Herrei: Easy to grow, clump forming plants with small green leaves tipped with shades of pink or purple.
Cheiridopsis Serrulata: Grey-green succulent leaves with bright yellow flowers in spring and winter.
Agave Victoriae Reginae Variegata
November 29th, 2011
Agave Victoria Reginae Variegata
Ornamental Plant for Dish Gardens: Haworthia Reinwardtii
October 20th, 2011Haworthia is a genus of compact and low growing succulent plants from South Africa. A number of species from this genus are commercially cultivated and sold as ornamental plants. Known for their dotted, mottled, striped and ridged leaves, Haworthia make excellent ornamental pot plants. When grown under suitable temperature, Haworthia can be grown in dish gardens, as ground cover, in rock gardens, as container plants or in window gardens.
Haworthia Reinwardtii
Among common species, Haworthia Reinwardtii is perhaps one of the most popular and definitely easier to grow. It features compact rosettes of dark green leaves with white dots and reddish tips. Grown from offsets, it roots easily and forms thick clumps of leafy stems. Flowers, as of all Haworthias, are very small and inconspicuous.
Haworthia Reinwardtii grows in well-drained soil under partial sun. Propagated from divisions, this ornamental succulent should be watered only when soil is completely dry. Hold carefully during months of hot and high-humidity conditions.
Ornamental, Succulent Tree for Xeriscapes: Cobas
October 17th, 2011Today, I am featuring Cyphostemma Currorii commonly known as Cobas tree and grown as ornamental plant. Though it has long been in my wish list, I have not had the chance to add it to my succulent garden so far. Cobas comes from a large family of vines, ground covers, small trees and pot plants of many different sizes and shapes. Cobas, being the most popular of its family, is grown as ornamental houseplant or as foliage plant in xeriscapes.
A Cobas normally grows as a compact plant in containers but flourishes into a small tree (up to 7 meters) when planted in ground. The plant is covered with green, succulent leaves that fall in winter to expose small and thick branches of Cobas. Pale green flowers appear in spring and summer followed by grape-like bunches of poisonous fruit.
Cyphostemma Currorii in Wild, Image by Petr Kosina (flickr)
How to grow Cobas Tree
Being native to Madagascar and parts of North Africa, Cobas is a sun loving plants that does not require much care. Grow in a regular and well-drained soil mix. Allow the soil to dry completely before watering. Cobas can be grown from seeds as well as from cuttings. As with most caudex-forming plants like adenium, keep these plants dry and protected from frost and freeze in winter.
Cyphostemma Juttae is another popular species from this family of unusual plants.
