Oscularia

Family. Aizoaceae.

Origin. South Africa.

Description. Oscularia is a very attractive small succulent plant that was formerly included in the genus Lampranthus. The leaves are up to 3 cm long, bluish-green, with a waxy coating, a strange angular shape, and often have sharp teeth. Stems up to 50 cm long, recumbent, light green, sometimes pink. Flowers appear in abundance and can completely hide the plant, look like a chamomile or daisy, up to 2 cm in diameter, have many long and narrow petals, white or pink. The buds emit a pleasant aroma, reminiscent of almonds, open during the day in good light.

Height. Up to 15 cm.

Care at home

Temperature conditions

Like most succulents, it loves warm conditions with a temperature of 20 - 25° C. The resting period is weak or absent altogether, so the temperature in the winter months does not need to be lowered.

Lighting

Shade during hot summer daylight hours; morning and evening exposure to direct sunlight is possible. Flowering will be less abundant if there is a lack of light. 

Care

Remove dead stems in the fall after flowering, as well as fading flowers.

Substrate for oscularia

Well-drained, loose, with plenty of sand or perlite to improve drainage. Soils that are fairly poor in nutrients are suitable.  

Feeding

Oscularia is a fairly unpretentious species that can be grown by novice gardeners. The bush tolerates poor soil and a wide range of temperature conditions. Feed it once a month. Excess nutrients lead to abundant growth of stems, which makes them loose and soft, and the plants can be susceptible to various fungal diseases.

Purpose

Very compact, but at the same time profusely flowering succulent, unpretentious plants that are grown mainly for their riot of flowers. Oscularia is also good to use as a ground cover plant. Looks great in a hanging basket. 

Flowering time

Blooms in late spring - summer. The flowering period depends on the specific species - some bloom for one to two weeks, while others have a long bloom lasting up to six months.

Air humidity

Good air movement is necessary. During the dormant period, keep it in cool, ventilated areas. It tolerates the dryness of heated residential premises well and does not need spraying.

Watering oscularia

Water sparingly in spring and summer, allowing the top layer of soil to dry out between waterings. In winter, the soil should be dried almost completely, and the frequency of watering should be reduced. Wrinkling of leaves and reddening of stems and leaves often indicate the need for regular watering. 

Transfer

Replanted every year in early spring.

Reproduction

Often propagated by seeds, which are sown in the spring in a mixture of wet peat and sand. Germination takes from two weeks to 1 month. The seedlings should be placed in a warm place with a temperature of 18 to 24 degrees Celsius without exposure to direct sunlight. Also propagated by cuttings in spring and summer. The length of the cuttings should be from 5 to 20 centimeters, the leaves should be removed from the bottom of the cutting, and the cut of the cutting should be dried for 24 hours. The cuttings take root in wet sand, the rooting process occurs quite quickly and does not require much labor.

Pests and diseases

Powdery mildew due to insufficient air movement or content in a humid atmosphere. Excess moisture causes rot. 

Mealybugs and spider mites sometimes appear among harmful insects. 

Note

Some species live for a long time in indoor conditions, others should be changed every 3 - 5 years

Hydroponics

Grows well in hydroponics.