Stapelianthus
Family. Asclepiadaceae.
Origin. Island of Madagascar.
Description. The genus Stapelianthus contains only 6 species of plants. These are perennial stem succulents with thick, branching shoots. The stems are green, gray, glaucous or brown, often recumbent, rounded in cross-section, covered with frequent but low tubercles. In some species, light, curved thorns appear from the tops of the tubercles. The flowers are typical for representatives of this family, collected in small inflorescences or solitary, up to 2 cm in diameter with 5 thick, fleshy petals. The color of the buds is white, cream, yellow, pink, red with small spots. The petals are sparsely pubescent.
Height. It develops quickly, but remains miniature. The stems reach a length of 30 cm.
Home care
Temperature conditions
Stapelianthus tolerates the most intense summer heat very well with adequate watering. The optimal temperature during the dormant period should be about 5° C.
Lighting
In their natural habitat, serreucculents of this species grow in partial shade and are not exposed to direct sunlight. Indoors, they are placed in a well-lit place without direct sunlight. If there is too much light, the stems may acquire a reddish or purple hue.
Care
An unpretentious plant that only needs good drainage. Do not move the bush to another place during flowering - it may drop buds.
Substrate
A substrate with a high content of coarse sand, perlite or pumice. It is advisable to place the flower in a shallow clay pot, as this also promotes rapid drying of the soil. A mixture of 50 percent pumice or perlite, 25 percent peat or organic mulch and 25 percent sand is suitable. The soil should have a slightly alkaline pH in the range of 7.5 - 8.5.
Feeding
In the spring, as growth begins, gradually increase the amount of watering and begin feeding the plants once a month with liquid fertilizer diluted by half. Stop feeding at the end of August to stop new growth. Use cactus and succulent fertilizers that are high in potassium.
Purpose
These small plants have such a compact shape that even a decent collection takes up very little space. Many species have quite charming flowers, although some flowers have a foul odor when in bloom.
Flowering time
Stapelianthus readily blooms indoors in summer.
Air humidity
They do not need spraying; in winter the air should be dry.
Soil moisture
Succulents require very careful watering on warm days. In autumn, the frequency of watering is reduced. In winter, it hardly needs watering. In spring and summer, water so that the top layer of soil dries out between waterings. Make sure that water does not stagnate in the tray.
Transfer
Stapelianthus can remain in the same soil for many years and rarely need replanting. Replant plants in the spring every two years to replace the soil with fresh soil. For planting, select a deep pot with large drainage holes.
Reproduction
The easiest method of propagation is rooting stem cuttings. The cuttings are cut with a sharp sterile instrument and the cut area is allowed to dry for 1 - 2 days. Seeds that are sown in the spring.
Pests and diseases
It rots very easily when over-moistened and stagnant water. Lack of light leads to the formation of weak, thin stems and lack of flowering. Excess nutrients cause plants to grow green mass abundantly.
Pests may include mealybugs, spider mites, and aphids.