Fockea

Family. Asclepiadaceae.

Origin. South East Africa.

Description. Fockeas are perennial low succulent plants that form a large, up to 60 cm in diameter, gray or brown caudex, which serves to store moisture and nutrients. The genus contains both evergreen and deciduous species. The stems appear in the upper part of the caudex, often become woody and covered with bark; when damaged, a milky sap is released from them. The leaves are opposite, green, simple, lanceolate or elliptic. Leaf blades, depending on the type, may be smooth or have slight pubescence. The small yellow or white flowers have a pleasant sweet scent. Fockeas are dioecious - they are divided into male and female specimens.

Height. 15 - 40 cm.

Care at home

Temperature conditions

Fockea does not have a pronounced dormant period and can be kept at a temperature of 18 - 24 ° C all year round. During the winter months, plants should not be exposed to temperatures below 12 ° C. 

Lighting

Leaves and shoots can be bathed in sunlight in the morning and afternoon hours, but the caudex should be shaded from direct sunlight. Maximum illumination is possible in autumn and winter.

Care

Long shoots of some species weave well around the supports provided to them.

Substrate

The soil must have good drainage. Fockea can be grown in fairly nutrient-poor soils.

Feeding

Feed trees monthly from spring to fall with a high-nitrogen fertilizer.

Purpose

Fockea is often used for bonsai-style cultivation. 

Flowering time

Summer.

Air humidity

There is no need to increase the air humidity, the succulent tolerates a fairly dry atmosphere. It is better to grow in ventilated rooms.

Soil moisture

Watering should be moderate even during the growth period. The flower will tolerate drought rather than excess moisture. In the winter months, just do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Transfer

It is better to plant young plants so that the root is completely covered with the substrate - in such conditions the caudex forms faster. Adult specimens can be kept in a shallow dish, exposing the caudex to half its height. 

Reproduction

Vegetative propagation is difficult, and the resulting plants often do not form such a powerful root system. Fortunately, fockea successfully reproduces by seeds.

Pests and diseases

The caudex burns from direct sunlight and turns burgundy. In autumn, the tree loses some leaves or sheds them completely - this is normal.

Among the harmful insects, plants can be attacked by whiteflies, aphids, and spider mites.

Note

The caudex of some species is edible, but only becomes so after heat treatment. In its raw form, the juice of representatives of this genus is poisonous. The caudex and root system rot with excessive watering.

Varieties:

Fockea edulis

A succulent plant with a large (up to 60 cm in diameter) grayish caudex at the base. From the top of the caudex rises several twisting, branched shoots up to 80 cm long, covered with grayish-brown or burgundy bark. The leaves are simple, oblong-oval, green. The flowers are small and inconspicuous, greenish or orange in color, fragrant. The plants are dioecious - male and female flowers are on different specimens.