Frithia

Family. Aizoaceae.

Origin. South Africa.

Description. Beautiful frithias are miniature supersucculent plants belonging to the group of living stones and forming a basal rosette of leaves. The leaves are green, often have a waxy bluish coating, cylindrical, round in cross-section, with a flattened top, reminiscent of fingers. As plants age, they form large colonies. The tops of the leaves are translucent and absorb sunlight. Flowers with long and narrow petals, reminiscent of a daisy, are white, lilac, red or pink, often solitary.

Height. Up to 5 cm.

Care at home

Temperature conditions

In spring and summer, frithia will easily endure the most intense heat, but in autumn, the temperature should be lowered so that the plants can rest during the winter months. The dormant period should take place at a temperature of 12 - 15 ° C. 

Lighting

A brightly lit place with direct sunlight in the morning and evening. Light shading is only required during particularly hot daytime hours. In autumn and winter, place the pot on the brightest windowsill.

Care

Like most plants of the aisaceae family, frithia needs a certain temperature regime and frequency of watering.

Substrate

The planting substrate should be sandy, well-drained with mild acidity (6.1 - 6.5 pH). Grows well even in nutrient-poor substrates. 

Feeding

In spring and summer, fertilizer for succulent plants in half the concentration, monthly.

Flowering time

Summer. 

Air humidity

There is no need to increase the air humidity, succulents are adapted to dry conditions and store the necessary moisture in the leaves. In the cold months, the air in the room should be dry. The flower will appreciate ventilated rooms with sufficient air movement.

Soil moisture

Water sparingly even during the growing season - dry the soil to 1/3 of the depth before each subsequent watering. In autumn, the frequency of watering is further reduced and in winter they are kept in almost dry soil. If possible, use bottom watering so that droplets of moisture do not fall on the above-ground part of the plants. 

Transplant

Frithias are miniature and do not require large amounts of nutrients in the soil, so replanting can only be done every 3 to 4 years, in the spring, before new growth begins. 

Reproduction

It propagates quite successfully by seeds. 

Pests and diseases

Excess nutrients lead to an abundant growth of green mass, the plants become bloated and untidy. Excessive watering causes rot to appear. 

Mealybugs and thrips can appear among harmful insects.

Varieties:

Frithia pulchra

 A miniature succulent plant with long, finger-like leaves arranged in basal rosettes. As the plants age, they form short stems. The leaves are light green, the upper surface is transparent - this helps absorb more sunlight. The flowers are very large compared to the size of the plant itself, bright pink.