Tanquana

Family. Aizoaceae.

Origin. South Africa.

Description. Tanquana is a miniature succulent plant belonging to the group of living stones. The leaves are thick, juicy, arranged in pairs. Young leaves emerge from the gap between the old pair and feed on the remains of old leaves. The shape of the leaves can be round or pointed, triangular in cross-section. The leaves range in color from bluish-green to green to burgundy and may have small speckles. The flowers are quite large - up to 4 - 7 cm in diameter, with many long, yellow petals, reminiscent of a dandelion, located in the gap between the leaves, often solitary, open during the day and have a very pleasant aroma.

Height. Does not exceed 15 cm.

Home care

Temperature conditions

In the warm season, normal room temperature is suitable, in the winter dormant period - a coolness of about 10 ° C. This plant can easily tolerate the most intense summer heat. Do not expose plants to temperatures below 5°C. 

Lighting

Place the succulent in a sunny location with direct sunlight in the morning and evening hours. In good light, the leaves of the plant take on a burgundy hue. On hot summer days, arrange some shading.

Care

Tanquana can often only be maintained by professionals. 

Substrate

Light, porous, well-drained soil, consisting of turf soil, leaf humus, with the addition of coarse river sand and perlite to improve drainage. Tolerates nutrient-poor soils and can grow in saline soils.

Feeding

Apply fertilizer for cacti and succulents at half strength monthly in spring and summer. In autumn and winter, feeding is stopped.

Purpose

A beautiful and very rarely found in collections, flowering plant.

Flowering time

From May to September. 

Air humidity

Keep the plant in a dry atmosphere; the bush does not need spraying. Provide good air movement around the plant while avoiding cold drafts.

Soil moisture

Water moderately during active growth, allowing the top 5 cm of soil to dry out before each subsequent watering. In winter, keep almost dry. When watering, try not to get water on the leaves and stems of the plant. 

Transfer

The succulent is replanted in spring, before flowering, if necessary, into fresh soil. Tanquana has a fairly deep root system and requires large pots with large drainage holes. When planting, the soil surface can be sprinkled with coarse sand or fine gravel for better drainage.

Reproduction

Seeds are sown on the surface of the soil without covering them from above. At temperatures above 22 ° C, the germination period is 1 - 3 months. 

Pests and diseases

Too much moisture in the soil and insufficient air movement around the plant contribute to the appearance of rot.