Stomatium

Family. Aizoaceae.

Origin. South Africa.

Description. Stomatiums are perennial succulent plants with creeping stems. The leaves are triangular in cross-section, thick, juicy, arranged oppositely, in pairs, green, purple or with a bluish waxy coating, 3-4 cm long. The ribs of the leaves often have denticles. The flowers are solitary, yellow, white or pink, with many narrow and long petals, reminiscent of dandelions, up to 3 cm in diameter, open in the evening, axillary.

Height. 20 - 30 cm, grows quite quickly.

Home care

Temperature conditions

Stomatium easily tolerates summer heat, but requires a cool dormant period in the winter months at a temperature of 12 - 15 ° C. 

Lighting

Well-lit location with direct sunlight in the evening and morning hours. On hot days, light shading is possible. When grown in direct sunlight, the leaves take on a burgundy hue.

Care

The succulent is quite easy to grow and may be suitable for beginner gardeners.

Substrate

The substrate for succulent plants and cacti should be well-drained and loose. Stomatium adapts well to nutrient-poor soils. 

Feeding

Feeding begins in the spring, monthly, when the first signs of new growth appear, and stops in early autumn. For fertilizing, choose fertilizers specially designed for succulent plants and dilute them to half the recommended dose.

Flowering time

It blooms quite readily with proper care; flowers can appear throughout the summer.

Air humidity

If the room temperature exceeds 23 - 25 °C, you can spray the leaves with room temperature water in the morning so that the moisture evaporates from the surface before dusk. In autumn and winter, the air around the stomatium should be dry. Provide a place with good air circulation.

Soil moisture

Dry the soil to a depth of 1 - 3 cm between waterings during the period of active growth. In autumn, the frequency of watering is reduced in accordance with the temperature, and in the winter months it is completely reduced to a minimum - just so that the soil does not dry out and the leaves do not wrinkle. 

Transplant

Transplantation is carried out in the spring, approximately every 2 - 3 years, into shallow but wide bowls with large drainage holes.

Reproduction

By dividing when transplanting or sowing seeds in the spring. 

Pests and diseases

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