Larryleachia

Family. Asclepiadaceae.

Origin. South West Africa.

Description. Larryleachia is a small, interesting, succulent plant with a thick, succulent stem that is green, greyish, blue, brown to almost white. The appearance resembles a peeled ear of corn. In young seedlings the stem is spherical; with age it lengthens and becomes cylindrical. The stem is unbranched or less often weakly branched, from 20 to 60 centimeters high and up to 25 centimeters in diameter. Flowers appear at the top of the stem, single or in small inflorescences, up to 1 cm in diameter, green, yellow, pink, red, purple, dark burgundy, white, cream, with various specks on pointed or rounded petals, very effective.

Height. From 20 to 60 centimeters.

Care at home

Temperature conditions

The plant is thermophilic; in spring and summer it is kept at normal room temperature in the range of 20 - 22° C. It prefers moderately cool wintering at a temperature of about 15° C.

Lighting

In spring and summer, the succulent can grow in partial shade, in autumn and winter provide maximum lighting. If kept at room temperature in winter, the lack of light can lead to irreversible deformation of the stem.

Substrate

Larryleachia has a very modest root system, so it needs to be placed in very well-drained soil that allows air and water to pass through. A standard cactus or succulent mix with coarse river sand or perlite added to improve drainage will do.

Feeding

In spring and summer, when this species is actively developing, it is fed with fertilizers with a high potassium content monthly at half the concentration. In autumn and winter, no feeding is carried out.

Flowering time

Summer.

Air humidity

It tolerates the dry air of heated rooms well and does not require spraying. In winter, the air should be especially dry. It is best to keep in well-ventilated rooms without cold drafts.

Soil moisture

During the growth period, water generously until the earthen ball is completely washed out, but allow the soil to dry almost completely before the next watering. In the autumn-winter period, reduce the frequency of watering to a minimum and keep the plant almost dry.

Transplant

The succulent does not have any special requirements for the nutritional value of the soil and can be kept in one pot and soil for several years. Adult specimens need to be replanted approximately every 3-4 years. Replanting is carried out in the spring; it is better to use clay pots for planting, the walls of which allow water to pass through.

Reproduction

They reproduce well by seeds, which are sown in the spring in a mixture of wet peat and coarse sand. Seedlings are placed in a warm place without direct sunlight.

Pests and diseases

If there is insufficient drainage, the plant may rot. During prolonged drought, larryleachia loses more than half of its volume, but after the resumption of watering it can restore its shape.