Trichodiadema

Family. Aizoaceae.

Origin. South Africa.

Description. Trichodiademas are low evergreen succulent shrubs with brown, abundantly branching stems covered with light brown bark. To store moisture and nutrients, these plants use a powerful and deep root system. The leaves are oblong, up to 2 cm long, succulent, round in cross-section, reminiscent of fingers, green. At the tops of the leaflets there is often a tuft of light bristles. The flowers are solitary, with many long petals in shades of pink, red, yellow or white, about 2 - 5 cm in diameter, opening in the daytime.

Height. It grows slowly and reaches only 30 cm in height.

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. It is better not to expose Caudex to direct sunlight. 

Care

Trichodiadema is very attractive and can be grown even by novice gardeners. Remove dead stems in the fall after flowering, as well as fading flowers. During the summer, plants can be kept outdoors.

Substrate

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

Feeding

Feed trichodiadema once a month. Excess nutrients lead to abundant growth of stems, which makes them loose and soft, and succulents can be susceptible to various fungal diseases. Loves organic fertilizers.

Purpose

Very compact, but at the same time abundantly flowering and unpretentious species. The bush can be grown as a miniature flowering bonsai.

Flowering time

Blooms in summer, abundantly and for a long time. 

Air humidity

Good air movement is necessary. During the dormant period, keep the trichodiadema in cool, ventilated areas. Tolerates dry atmosphere well and does not need spraying.

Soil moisture

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 leaves indicate the need for regular watering.

Transfer

Repot in early spring, before flowering, every 2-3 years. Mature specimens are planted shallowly to show off their strong root system.

Reproduction

Seeds that are sown in spring in a mixture of wet peat and sand. Also propagated by stem cuttings in spring and summer. Cuttings take root in damp sand. 

Pests and diseases

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

Pests that can annoy plants are sciarids and mealybugs. 

Note

Some species live for a long time in indoor conditions, but flowering may decline with age.