Bergeranthus

Family. Aizoaceae.

Origin. South Africa.

Description. Bergeranthus is distinguished by triangular, smooth, juicy gray-green leaves and branching inflorescences of yellow flowers that can appear at any time of the year. Succulents have thick rhizomes, slightly raised above the soil level. The plant produces 8 - 10 pairs of lanceolate, pointed leaves 20 - 25 mm long, 6 - 7 mm wide, the upper pairs of leaves grow vertically. Flowers are large, up to 5 cm in diameter, yellow with linear-lanceolate petals 10 - 15 mm long, 1 - 2 mm wide, the outer petals have a reddish tint, resemble chamomile and have a pleasant aroma. Sepals are lanceolate, pointed, 7 - 10 mm long, green. Fruits are pear-shaped with a rounded top, 7 - 10 mm. Dense rosettes of pointed leaves resemble tiny aloe vera. Grows slowly.

Height. Bergeranthus grows up to 15 cm tall.

Home care

Temperature conditions

A heat-loving plant, in winter the temperature of bergeranthus is reduced to 12° C. 

Lighting

A bright place with shading in the summer. Flowering occurs only in the presence of good lighting.

Care

The period of active growth lasts from early spring to the end of summer, but bergeranthus easily adapts to the conditions and, with sufficient watering and favorable growing conditions, does without a dormant period. Not the easiest plant to cultivate, so not suitable for beginners. 

Substrate

Succulents prefer sandy, well-drained soil. The bushes grow well in soils with low nutrient content.

Feeding

Once a month, bergeranthus is fed with fertilizers for cacti and succulents with a low nitrogen content in half the concentration. With an excess of microelements in the soil, bergeranthus abundantly grows green mass, which is subsequently subject to pest attacks and easily rots. 

Purpose

Thanks to its miniature size, you can assemble an impressive collection of bergeranthus on a small windowsill.

Flowering time

Mainly in summer, but can bloom at any time of the year for quite a long time. 

Air humidity

Not demanding. 

Soil moisture

You can water bergeranthus all year round, regularly from spring to autumn, reducing watering in winter. It is quite drought-resistant; the leaves shrink during drought.

Transfer

Every year in the spring as it grows.

Reproduction

Plants are propagated by seeds and easily spread by cuttings. The cut area of ​​the cuttings is air-dried for several days so that they do not rot during rooting. 

Pests and diseases

Powdery mildew appears on a plant when it is kept in a cool room with high humidity and without ventilation.

The plant is quite resistant to pests.  Sometimes spider mites and mealybugs appear.

Note

Bergeranthus is toxic to animals and possibly humans. 

Varieties:

Bergeranthus jamesii 

Compact leaf succulent, reaching only 5 cm in height. The plant has dark green leaves 2 - 5 cm long, arranged in pairs, triangular in cross-section, pointed. The surface of the leaves is covered with a bluish waxy coating. The flowers are golden yellow and resemble chamomile.

Bergeranthus rehneltianus

A small succulent shrub, unlike most of its relatives, forms a noticeable erect stem reaching 30 cm in height. The leaves are light green, the stem often takes on a pinkish tint. Flowers with pancake thin petals, yellow.