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kjtessanne

some mesembs

20 years ago

I just couldn't resist these 2 little guys when Lowes got a new shipment of plants in. I also managed to pick up a large sans cylindrica for less than $4! What a day! Can anyone give me some specific care instructions on these two? I've been known in the past to be a mesemb killer but I'm willing to try it again...lol.

Kim

mesemb #1: http://community.webshots.com/photo/245739350/544613963ofrEHL

mesemb #2: http://community.webshots.com/photo/245739350/544613395rezDsg

Comments (3)

  • 20 years ago

    IDs first, I guess.

    I think Argyroderma for the first one, but the old green leaves are weird. Maybe it was short of light. Not sure exactly how these grow in Texas, but give it only light sprays until the old leaf pair completely disappears and during the heat of summer, then regular light watering during late summer and autumn, then back off the water again. It loves bright sun, maybe some afternoon shade in the heat of your summer. Flowers in late autumn or early winter, so it doesn't look like flowers this year.

    The second one is a Pleiospilos, either P. nelii or a hybrid. It will grow in cooler weather in spring and autumn, possibly right through the winter for you. As flowering finishes, probably about now, you should reduce watering so that it consumes the older leaves. No need to panic with your's, it is normal to have two complete pairs of leaves at this stage but aim to reduce it to just one by the end of the summer. You most likely have several individual plants in the pot since P. nelii doesn't offset much. Prefers lots of sun but probably best in bright shade over the summer. P. nelii normally flowers in spring but sometimes flowers in autumn in cultivation. The autumn-flowering forms may be hybrids.

    Both these plants have extremely low water needs and you are more likely to kill them by overwatering than underwatering even in Texas. Watch out for them going dormant in summer heat, then they won't accept water and repeated attempts to water them in a heatwave will kill them. Don't do the cactus thing and flood them then leave them without water for a month, they prefer light regular water when they are growing and no water, or probably spray them in your climate, when they are dormant. A thorough soaking can cause them to split their skins especially when it is humid.

  • 20 years ago

    Thanks for all the info on these two! So are these both considered winter growers then? I remember reading before that some mesembs grow in summer and shouldn't be watered in winter, and vice versa. But I can never remember which is which...lol... Right now they are both sitting in a southwest window and haven't gotten more than a spritz of water from me so far.

    Thanks again, Kim

  • 20 years ago

    When mesembs grow depends a lot on your climate. Most mesembs are surprisingly adaptable, dormant when it is too hot, too dry, or too dark, and growing when it is mild and sunny with some water.

    Argyroderma are often called winter growers but they grow mostly in autumn here. Almost nothing grows in winter here because it is too dark. They will probably be good winter growers for you.

    Pleiospilos are also sometimes called winter growers but that is much less true. They grow right through summer here but probably won't for you. They will probably grow most strongly in spring and then become dormant. They may also grow somewhat in autumn and possibly right through the winter, but keep them on the dry side in winter so that they renew their leaves properly.

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