Duvalia

Family. Asclepiadaceae.

Origin. Lives in South and Southeast Africa.

Description. An extremely unusual perennial succulent plant with long, creeping, green, gray-green, tetrahedral branched shoots up to 10 cm in length and 1-2 cm in diameter, they take root easily when in contact with the ground. Often the stems are covered with tubercles, at the top of which there are sharp thorns. Some varieties have dark speckled stems. In good light, the stems may take on a reddish tint. Flowers up to 3 cm long and up to 4.5 cm in diameter with a large flat ring and 5 long petals with sharp tips, often solitary, often have a fetid odor. The shades of the buds vary from light beige to burgundy and even black, and the petals are often speckled.

Height. Up to 15 cm.

Care at home

Temperature conditions

These plants do not like cold, so year-round maintenance at room temperatures above 15 ° C is suitable. They can withstand short-term temperature drops of up to 5 ° C if kept dry. 

Lighting

Like many other succulents, duvalias prefer to grow in light shade in summer, protected from direct sunlight.

Substrate

The root system is compact, with a large number of small roots, so loose soil is used for growing, for example, ready-made mixtures for cacti and succulents with the addition of coarse river sand, perlite or pumice to improve drainage.

Feeding

Feed with fertilizers for cacti and succulents with a high potassium content, poor in nitrogen, 2 times a month at half the concentration.

Purpose

A very unusual, spectacular, compact plant.

Flowering time

Summer. 

Air humidity

No need to spray. In winter, the air should remain dry. It is advisable to ensure good air circulation around the pot, while avoiding cold drafts.

Soil moisture

Water moderately but deeply during the growing season, allowing the soil to dry out before the next watering. Reduce watering in winter so that the earthen ball does not dry out.

Transplant

Adult specimens are replanted every 2 years, in the spring, it is advisable to use clay pots, the walls of which allow air and water to pass through and allow the soil to dry out faster.

Reproduction

Propagates by stem cuttings in spring and summer. Pre-dry the cutting site for 1-2 days. Sow seeds in spring in a damp mixture of peat and sand. Seeds germinate quickly.

Pests and diseases

Plants are very sensitive to stem and root rot, which appear as a result of waterlogging, especially in the autumn-winter period.